Title IX Defense in Alabama

Common Violations of Title IX 

Title IX covers various behaviors that constitute sex-based discrimination in educational settings. Violations of Title IX can take many forms, but some of the most common include:

• Gender discrimination: Gender discrimination occurs when students are treated differently due to their biological sex or sex stereotypes. For example, they may be subject to biased grading practices, excluded from certain programs or sports, treated differently in academic advising, or given disproportionate financial support in their sports program.

• Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It occurs when someone is subjected to unwanted sexual behavior, advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 

• Hostile environment: Sexual harassment can rise to a hostile environment that interferes with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities. 

• Pregnancy discrimination: Pregnancy discrimination occurs when a pregnant student is treated unfavorably due to this status, such as denying accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions or punishing the student for absences related to their condition.

• Sexual violence and assault: Sexual assault may include rape, fondling, or other sexual contact without the alleged victim’s consent

• Domestic violence: Title IX can also involve dating violence and abusive behaviors between students in intimate relationships when they affect the student’s education.

• Retaliation: Even if the initial allegations are determined to be unfounded, a person or school can still face consequences if they retaliated against the accuser. Retaliation can include any negative action the institution takes after the complaint, including harassment, academic penalties, or exclusion from school activities. 
• Stalking: Stalking involves engaging in a course of conduct toward a particular person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress.

The first step to defending yourself in a Title IX proceeding is understanding the exact nature of the charges against you. An experienced lawyer 

Problems with the Title IX Process 

Title IX cases are often handled poorly. Although Title IX is a federal law, every school is responsible for developing its own unique policy. This means that these cases are handled differently at every educational institute. Schools often want to resolve the allegations quickly, so they may launch into a reactive mode and resolve the matter in a way that does not provide the defendant with an adequate amount of time to prepare. 

Additionally, schools are responsible for accepting the complaint, investigating allegations, conducting a hearing, and handling the appeals process. This makes them the investigator, judge, jury, and executioner. 

Because schools stand to lose federal funding if they do not strictly adhere to Title IX rules, Title IX investigations are often one-sided. Unlike with criminal cases, the defendant in Title IX cases has few rights. While they can choose to have a criminal defense lawyer as their advisor, the advisor’s role is limited, so they cannot represent the accused’s rights as vigorously as they could if they were representing them in a more formal setting.

Title IX cases rely on the interpretation of individual school conduct policies. At many schools, consent means affirmative consent, which requires some affirmation at each development of the sexual encounter that both parties are consenting to the experience. This requirement does not apply in criminal or civil cases. 

Many people who have confronted Title IX allegations find that their rights are trampled on during the investigation process. Some students and school employees discover that they are falsely accused of violations they never committed, but they find it difficult to defend themselves in this often one-sided arena. 

How a Lawyer Can Help If You Are Accused of Violating Title IX

If you are being accused of sexual conduct that violates Title IX, it is important that you engage the legal services of an experienced Title IX defense lawyer. You can face serious consequences, including suspension, expulsion, loss of scholarships, and other penalties. These consequences can have a significant impact on your future, education, and career. 

An experienced lawyer can help with your Title IX case by:

• Reviewing the charges and making sure you understand the allegations against you
• Shadowing the investigation process
• Reviewing the investigation report, identifying inconsistencies, and possible defenses
• Interviewing witnesses and evaluating evidence
• Becoming familiar with your school’s individual grievance process and hearing procedures to ensure you understand the legal process ahead
• Communicating on your behalf 
• Exploring options for mediation or other informal processes to resolve the matter with a favorable outcome
• Devising a strong defense based on the strengths of your case
• Discussing the possible penalties 
• Explaining your rights under the Title IX process
• Preparing you for disciplinary hearings and what to discuss
• Advocating for your due process rights
• Assisting through the appeals process, if necessary

Why You Should Choose KJK Student & Athlete Defense  

The legal team at KJK Student & Athlete Defense is uniquely qualified to handle your Title IX case. Our law firm focuses exclusively on education cases. We’ve successfully handled over 1,000 cases in more than 200 colleges and universities. Our co-chair and founding partner, Susan Stone, was named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in the Education category for 2025. One lawyer receives this distinction each year in each category and location, with the winner being the lawyer with the highest peer reviews. 

Our legal team is nationally recognized for our client advocacy and results. We have a reputation for successfully defending college students and faculty members from serious allegations. 

We focus on providing holistic legal services. If you are facing Title IX allegations, your accuser may decide to pursue criminal charges against you. Our criminal defense attorneys can defend you against these charges and work closely with you during the Title IX case so you do not say or do anything that could adversely affect your criminal case. We can also represent you in legal proceedings if the alleged victim decides to file a civil complaint; we can provide legal representation during those proceedings, too. We also provide reputation management services to erase negative information about the case online so it does not hinder your career prospects in the future. 

If you are looking for a Title IX defense lawyer, look no further than KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense team. Our legal team has the experience, skills, and knowledge necessary to capably walk you through this process. We also have the resources to hire expert witnesses to aid in your defense when necessary. Call us today to arrange a confidential consultation to discuss the alleged misconduct and how we can help.

Alabama Colleges and Universities

Title IX encompasses a wide range of education programs and educational institutions. Alabama has numerous colleges and universities, including:

• Air University
• Alabama A&M University
• Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Alabama State University 
• Amridge University
• Athens State University
• Auburn University
• Bevill State Community College
• Birmingham School of Law 
• Bishop State Community College
• Calhoun Community College
• Central Alabama Community College
• Chattahoochee Valley Community College
• Coastal Alabama Community College
• Columbia Southern University
• Community College of the Air Force
• Enterprise State Community College
• Faulkner University
• Gadsden State Community College
• H. Council Trenholm State Community College
• Heritage Christian University
• Highlands College
• Huntingdon College
• Huntsville Bible College
• J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College
• J.F. Ingram State Technical College
• Jacksonville State University
• Jefferson State Community College
• Lawson State Community College
• Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
• Marion Military Institute 
• Miles College
• Miles Law School
• Northeast Alabama Community College
• Northwest-Shoals Community College
• Oakwood University
• Reid State Technical College
• Samford University
• Selma University
• Shelton State Community College 
• Snead State Community College
• Southern Union State Community College
• Spring Hill College
• Stillman College
• Talladega College
• Troy University
• Tuskegee University
• United States Sports Academy
• University of Alabama 
• University of Mobile
• University of Montevallo 
• University of North Alabama
• University of South Alabama
• University of West Alabama 
• Wallace Community College
• Wallace State Community College

Contact KJK Student & Athlete Defense Team for Immediate Legal Advice and Representation

If you are facing Title IX allegations, you must act quickly to protect your rights. A knowledgeable Title IX defense lawyer can review the charges against you, discuss your options for responding, conduct an independent investigation, and help devise an effective defense on your behalf. We understand the high stakes involved in your case and will work tirelessly to protect you. Count on us to guide you through these difficult times. Call us today to arrange a confidential consultacompletefill out our online contact form.