College & University

Alston & Bird routinely represents colleges and universities on such issues as accreditation, alliances with corporations, land acquisitions, facilities construction, “town and gown” matters, financings and intellectual property protection.  We also have an interdisciplinary team dedicated to representing public and private colleges and universities in the expansion of their physical plant and facilities, as well as advising architects and contractors, lenders and other professionals involved in the implementation of expansion projects.

EXPERIENCE

Lawyers on the team have worked on projects involving more than 40 colleges and universities across the country in the core areas of construction, financing and real estate.  The College and University team’s projects include the construction of laboratory, research and class room facilities, athletic complexes, art museums, performance centers and hospital facilities. 

INVOLVEMENT

A significant number of our attorneys serve on governing boards of major educational institutions and foundations, giving us a broad and unique perspective on the challenges confronting colleges and universities in their day-to-day operations, fundraising, strategic planning and growth.  Our partners serve on the boards of trustees of Emory University (chair), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (chair of the Audit and Finance Committee) and many other colleges and universities. 

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Alston & Bird brings together an experienced team that, in addition to operations and expansion experience, taps into resources to help deal with crisis management, legislative issues and insurance coverage issues.  A broad scope of services and the experience behind providing those services is available to draw upon to meet clients’ needs.  This was clearly demonstrated following Hurricane Katrina when Alston & Bird stepped in to help Tulane University assess its options, plan for the future and move forward to rebuild.