Title IX Defense in Georgia
Serving students & Faculty nationwideIf you are a student athlete in Georgia who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct through a Title IX complaint, the KJK Student & Athlete Defense team can help. We can review the charges against you, investigate the claims, advocate to protect your rights, and provide the defense necessary to argue that you are not responsible for violating this federal law. Don’t risk your future by trying to handle this serious case on your own.
By having legal representation, you can trust that you will understand the Title IX process and what is ahead. Schools often want to resolve Title IX cases quickly, so it can be difficult for students or busy faculty members to build a solid defense on their own. You’ll need a dedicated legal team that aims to protect you from the harsh consequences Title IX can bring about.
Our experienced legal team understands the nuances of this niche area of law. We understand the stakes involved and how to prepare for the path ahead. Call us today to get started with a confidential consultation.
History of Title IX
Title IX is a landmark civil rights law that reshaped how women were treated in the educational setting. Title IX was a clause added to the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
The clause states simply, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” These 37 words have significantly impacted many students, faculty members, colleges, and other educational settings. Any school, college, university, or educational program that receives federal funding is subject to the rules under Title IX.
The law first aimed to end discrimination in school sports. It sought to enhance athletic opportunities for female students in high schools, colleges, and universities. Athletics at the time the law was passed were dominated by male athletes, so Title IX sought to end sexual discrimination against women and girls.
Under the law, schools were required to show they were compliant by showing the number of male and female athletes was similar, the school had an ongoing commitment to expand women’s sports, or the school heeded or accommodated women’s surveyed athletic interests and abilities.
However, the law has expanded over the years. The first significant shift occurred when it included protections against sexual harassment of female students by male instructors. Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex discrimination.
Next, Title IX broadened to protect students against sexual misconduct. This generally included sexual assault, rape, date rape, and other violent sexual acts. Some schools also include domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in their prohibitions. Soon, Title IX lawsuits and other legal actions were taken against students, faculty, staff, and educational institutions in the name of Title IX.
Courts have interpreted Title IX as a law that should protect female students from sexual abuse. Sexual misconduct allegations are now the primary source of complaints under Title IX. Lawmakers sought to further expand Title IX to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, but current litigation has paused these interpretations from being incorporated in many states.
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Title IX Policies
Each recipient of Title IX is responsible for creating a unique Title IX policy. This policy provides information about the rules, procedures, and processes specific to the college. It also contains essential definitions.
For cases involving sexual assault or misconduct, one definition that can have a significant impact on the case is consent. Consent’s definition is specific to each college, university, or other educational institution. Commonly, these academic institutions require affirmative consent, meaning that both parties must mutually agree to the sexual activity before participating in it. Either party has the right to retract consent at any point, and consent to one sexual act does not necessarily mean consent to another.
Monetary Incentives of Title IX
The way Title IX has been set up can incentivize schools to protect the accuser’s rights more than the accused. If the school is found to have not adequately investigated or handled Title IX complaints, it can lose funding. Additionally, the United States Supreme Court authorized individuals who filed complaints under Title IX to sue for damages if gender discrimination or other complaints were not resolved.
When universities lost lawsuits regarding violent sexual acts that occurred on their campuses, they became more aggressive in their investigations and their responses to sexual complaints. Often, this came at the cost of trampling the accused’s legal rights.
Protecting the Rights of the Accused
Many respondents in Title IX cases feel railroaded. They think their rights are secondary to those of the accuser. In many situations, Title IX hearings and investigations may be stacked against accused students and fail to provide them with due process rights.
For these reasons, it’s essential that anyone facing Title IX allegations engage the services of an experienced Title IX defense lawyer. It is also common for Title IX cases to result in criminal charges against the accused. An experienced criminal defense lawyer from our law firm can help protect your legal rights in this forum, too.
Difference Between Criminal Cases and Title IX Cases
While Title IX and criminal cases may involve similar facts, these two types of cases have significant differences, including:
- Legal process: Title IX cases involve administrative processes. Schools must follow their own policies in taking complaints, investigating, and making findings. Criminal cases involve prosecutors and follow the rules of criminal procedure.
- Burden of proof: In a Title IX case, the individual school’s standard of proof must be met to find responsibility, which is usually by the preponderance of the evidence. To secure a conviction in criminal court, the prosecutor must show your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Potential penalties: Possible penalties vary significantly. In a criminal case, the accused can face harsh penalties, such as imprisonment, fines, and probation. In a Title IX case, you may be facing expulsion, revocation of your degree, suspension, and other disciplinary action that colleges can apply.
Each case has its own rules of evidence and procedure, so it’s vital to work with a lawyer who understands both systems.
Title IX Penalties
Even though the penalties for a Title IX violation are not as serious as they would be for a criminal conviction, they can still have a significant impact on your education, career, and reputation. Possible penalties you can face could include:
- Permanent expulsion from the university
- Suspension that could interfere with your studies
- The removal of on- or off-campus privileges
- The loss of employment on a school campus or the loss of tenure
- Written reprimands or the requirement to compose a formal apology
- Fines
- Restitution payments
- Mandatory counseling
- Loss of financial aid
- Removal from college housing
- Loss of leadership positions
Why Do I Need a Title IX Defense Lawyer?
As you can see from the consequences discussed above, a finding of responsibility under Title IX can have a significant impact on your life. A Title IX defense lawyer can take responsibility for your case from start to finish, including:
- Explaining the charges against you
- Investigating the allegations against you
- Gathering evidence to aid in your defense
- Handling communications on your behalf with school administrators and others
- Being present during any interviews
- Participating in hearings and Title IX proceedings to the fullest extent possible
- Devising a legal strategy tailored to your particular case and aimed at achieving a favorable outcome
If you’re facing disciplinary action due to Title IX accusations, contact an experienced attorney today for assistance. You have the right to an advisor of your choice, and that can be an experienced Title IX and criminal defense lawyer.
Why Choose the KJK Student & Athlete Defense Team
The Title IX defense claims lawyers at KJK Student & Athlete Defense are nationally recognized for their work in educational law. We have a reputation for zealously representing the rights of our clients and achieving positive results. To date, we have handled more than 1,000 cases in more than 200 colleges and universities.
Our legal advocates are highly sought after and have appeared on various media outlets to discuss issues involving students, athletes, and Title IX, including ESPN, Law & Crime, Law.com, CNN, and USA Today. Our practice often intersects with special education advocacy, where students with special education needs, autism, and mental health challenges may face Title IX or criminal charges.
One of our law firm’s co-chairs and partners, Susan Stone, was the recipient of Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” in the Education category for 2025. This is a prestigious honor as only one attorney in each category and location can receive this distinction. The winning lawyer has the highest peer reviews in the category, so Susan’s win indicates the high esteem that her opponents have for her.
When you hire us, you not only get assistance in Title IX matters. We also assist with any resulting criminal charges, civil cases, or reputation management needs you may have. You have rights, and we are here to protect them. We’re here to prevent you from unfair treatment from school boards, school administrators, or the Title IX panel.
When you need a lawyer to assist you in a Title IX case, turn to one with the experience, skills, and knowledge to create an effective defense strategy on your behalf. Turn to KJK.
Contact Our Title IX Defense Lawyers Today
If you or your child is facing a Title IX case, KJK Student & Athlete Defense can help. We have years of experience fighting to protect the rights of the accused, often yielding successful outcomes.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and building your defense. We can gather evidence to discredit the accuser’s claims and try to work out an informal resolution to limit the impact the case has on your future and reputation. We also assist with criminal cases, and no case is too complex for us to handle. Contact us today to get started with a confidential case review.
Peer Advice
A Client’s Tips For Facing A Title IX Investigation
I OFFER THE FOLLOWING TIPS
For students who may be involved in a Title IX or related matter, I offer the following tips. First, I recommend that you call a Title IX lawyer before you make any other move. Following that step, one should consider staying away from public statements on the matter. I also recommend that this public silence be countered with engagement in therapy and frequent self-care. Similarly, reach out to the appropriate contact at your school to coordinate supportive measures so that you may continue with your academics. Establishing a list of hobbies and rituals to ground myself was incredibly helpful throughout the ups and downs of the case.
See What Our CLients are Saying about our title ix attorneys
Testimonials
We will be forever grateful to you for engaging with us to assist our son...
Kristina and Susan are very competent ...
Susan Stone and Kristina Supler represented our male college freshman...
against a false Title IX claim of non-consensual sexual intercourse. Current Title IX laws are strongly slanted in the accuser’s favor, and our son was denied due process by the university. This legal team expertly highlighted the accuser’s false accusations, while exposing the university’s many inconsistencies. They were there when we needed them – quick to take our phone calls or respond to our questions and concerns. Without their expert legal advice, our son would have likely been another silent and unfortunate victim of current Title IX university policies. We give Susan and Kristina the highest of recommendations!
I was a member of a fraternity at a public university...
that was kicked off campus for reported hazing. My involvement with the fraternity was unaware of any misdeeds being done, and was shocked when the school charged me with failure to report hazing. That’s when I contacted Susan and Kristina, who were extremely helpful and wonderful to work with. Thanks to them they helped guide me through collecting proof of my innocence, which ended up leading to the result we wanted of no charges against me. I highly recommend their service to anyone who might need it!
You are the utmost professional counselor...
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K-12 Student DefenseKJK’s Student & Athlete Defense practice group is here to protect your child’s future. Defending students of all ages, our team is here to make sure your family is given fair treatment when it comes to disciplinary actions issued by your school district.
Title IX
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