Katie Jo Luningham

• Represented public university officials in an interlocutory appeal from a denial of qualified immunity.
• Counsel to colleges and universities on federal and state regulatory compliance, athletics compliance, discrimination complaints, and government investigations.
• Represented a public university in a First Amendment challenge to institutional speech policies.
• Advised educational institutions during Title IV program reviews, accreditation disputes, and gender-equity audits.

Katie Jo Luningham is a senior associate in Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group. She centers her practice on complex litigation matters with an emphasis on issues affecting institutions of higher education, data privacy litigation, class actions, and complex commercial disputes. She has experience drafting substantive trial motions and appellate briefs, and has defended clients against civil litigation and government investigations.

Katie Jo has also served as an alumni-elected regent on the Baylor University Board of Regents since 2018, giving her unique insight into the nonprofit and education industries. Her board service includes positions on the Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, University Leadership & Compensation, and Student Life committees, giving her a deep understanding of the institutional risks, administrative challenges, and student life issues facing colleges and universities.

As an associate in another large law firm’s litigation and higher education practice, Katie Jo represented institutions of higher education in civil litigation, including cases involving constitutional claims, federal and state regulatory issues, and employment disputes.

Katie Jo served as a law clerk for the Honorable Elizabeth L. Branch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In 2015, she was awarded a Burton Distinguished Writing Award by the U.S. Library of Congress for Excellence in Legal Writing for her academic article on higher education and administrative law.

Bar Admissions

• Missouri
• Georgia (Not Admitted)

Education

• University of Notre Dame (J.D., 2015)
• Baylor University (B.A., 2011)

Memberships