Representation for Student Victims (Complainants)

When a student experiences sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or other forms of gender-based harassment on a college or university campus, a Title IX advisor can help them seek justice through their school’s Title IX process. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. As a Title IX advisor can explain, while the law is widely known for ensuring gender equity in athletics, it also plays a central role in protecting student victims, referred to as “complainants”, from sexual misconduct, hostile environments, and retaliation from the accused, called “respondents”.

At Saland Law, we understand the emotional, academic, and legal complexities that student complainants face when coming forward. Founded and led by former Manhattan prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and Title IX advisor Jeremy Saland, our top-rated firm provides comprehensive and strategic representation to student victims throughout the Title IX process. Although we are headquartered in New York City, we proudly serve clients as their advisor nationwide, including students at public and private universities, community colleges, professional schools, and high schools.

Whether you are a complainant in an ongoing investigation or are considering initiating a Title IX complaint, Saland Law is prepared to advocate for your rights, protect your voice, and ensure you are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect every step of the way.

Understanding Title IX and Its Protections

Title IX states: “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.”

This powerful mandate applies to a wide range of situations in the educational environment, including but not limited to:

• Sexual harassment
  
• Sexual assault
  
• Dating violence
  
• Domestic violence
  
• Stalking
  
• Hostile educational environments
  
• Retaliation for reporting or participating in investigations

Schools that violate Title IX or fail to address known instances of sex-based misconduct risk losing federal funding and may face lawsuits or Department of Education investigations. More importantly, Title IX ensures that student complainants have a path to resolution that does not require criminal prosecution, though the two processes may occur concurrently.

The Role of the Complainant in Title IX Proceedings

In Title IX cases, the complainant is the person who files a report of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or misconduct, typically alleging that they have been the victim of a prohibited act. Once a complaint is filed, the school is obligated to respond promptly and equitably. Depending on the circumstances, the school may initiate a formal grievance process, conduct an investigation, and, where applicable, hold a live hearing with cross-examination.

Being a complainant is not as simple as making an accusation and stepping aside. Many students are surprised to learn how involved and often adversarial the Title IX process can be. Complainants may be expected to recount intimate details, submit to interviews, provide supporting evidence, attend hearings, and respond to questions from the respondent’s advisor. Without representation, this process can feel overwhelming and retraumatizing.

You don’t get multiple bites of the proverbial apple in terms of credibility, collecting evidence and presenting the strongest case possible. That is why having a skilled and compassionate Title IX advisor, who is also a former prosecutor and criminal lawyer,is so critical. Saland Law ensures that complainants do not face these challenges alone.

What Saland Law’s Advisors Provide to Student Complainants

Guidance and Case Strategy

From the moment you consider filing a Title IX complaint, our firm provides strategic advice on how best to proceed. We explain your rights, discuss the school’s obligations, and help you evaluate the strength of your case. If you choose to move forward, we guide you through each phase, from initial report through appeal, with clear communication and aggressive advocacy. Equally important, we identify the evidence you need – from witnesses, Snap, Instagram, TikTok, pictures, text messages, or wherever it may be found – and secure it to use as both your sowrd and shield against your abuser.

In the event we cannot represent you in a court proceeding outside the school, we also coordinate with criminal counsel if your case is being investigated by law enforcement, and we help you assess the risks and benefits of parallel proceedings. Our background in prosecution allows us to anticipate the tactics often used by defense counsel, especially in cases involving allegations of sexual contact, dating violence, or lack of affirmative consent.

Drafting and Reviewing Statements

The statements made by complainants, whether verbal or written, often become the centerpiece of a Title IX case. We work closely with you to prepare and review your narrative, ensuring accuracy, emotional authenticity, and legal clarity. We help you describe what happened without subjecting yourself to unnecessary cross-examination vulnerabilities, and we assist in responding to questions or rebuttals from the respondent.

If the school allows written submissions before or after the hearing, we draft compelling position statements, responses, and appeals with you and on your behalf. No, we do not seek to usurp your voice, but enhance the power of it and provide clarity when and where it is most needed.

Representation at Hearings

Under current Title IX regulations, colleges and universities must conduct live hearings in cases of sexual harassment or sexual assault that involve student respondents.  Routinely virtual and online, these hearings may include cross-examination by the opposing party’s advisor, and while parties are not permitted to cross-examine each other directly, the process can still be highly stressful.

Saland Law’s advisors provide direct representation in these proceedings. We attend hearings with our clients, object to improper questions, prepare our clients for testimony, and conduct examinations where permitted. Having an advisor who is also a seasoned criminal attorney who understands both the legal intricacies and institutional procedures dramatically increases the complainant’s ability to be heard and protected.

Affirmative Consent and Contextual Support

Many Title IX disputes turn on whether there was affirmative consent, an issue that frequently arises in cases involving sexual contact between intoxicated or underage students. We help complainants explain their experiences in context and ensure that decision-makers understand the dynamics of power, coercion, and communication, particularly in emotionally charged or alcohol-fueled encounters.

Our Title IX advisor understands how to convey a victim’s experience without re-traumatizing them, ensuring that key facts are presented in a way that complies with both institutional policies and federal standards.

Appeals and Post-Resolution Matters

Even if a complainant is successful in the initial Title IX process, there may be grounds for appeal; particularly if the sanctions are inadequate, new evidence emerges, or procedural errors occurred. We prepare appeals based on permissible criteria and advocate for the proper enforcement of findings.

If a resolution is not in your favor or you experience retaliation following your report, Saland Law can help you explore further legal remedies, including civil litigation or complaints to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Common Challenges Faced by Complainants

Many complainants begin the Title IX process with a sense of hope, believing the institution will protect them. Unfortunately, reality can be more complicated. Schools are under pressure to comply with federal rules, balance fairness between parties, and protect their reputation. This sometimes results in complainants being overlooked, silenced, or even blamed.

Some common challenges include:

• Schools discouraging formal complaints or urging informal resolutions
  
• Investigators mischaracterizing or minimizing serious conduct
  
• Delays in investigations that leave victims in limbo for months
  
• Unequal access to resources or advisors compared to the respondent
  
• Retaliation from peers, faculty, or the respondent themselves

Having an experienced Title IX attorney can prevent or counter these challenges. Saland Law does not allow institutions to sidestep their obligations or devalue our clients’ experiences.

Title IX Statutes and Regulatory Framework

Title IX itself is a broad statute, but the Department of Education has implemented specific regulations that shape how institutions must respond to sexual misconduct. In 2020, the Title IX regulations were significantly revised under 34 C.F.R. § 106. These updates require:

• A formal grievance process with written notice of allegations
  
• Presumption of non-responsibility for the respondent until a finding is made
  
• Opportunity for both parties to review evidence
  
• Live hearings with cross-examination by advisors
  
• Written decisions by impartial decision-makers
  
• Equal right to appeal

Importantly, the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX includes three categories:

1. Quid pro quo harassment by an employee
   
2. Unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity
   
3. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined under the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Act

These definitions and processes apply to conduct within the school’s programs or activities, including on-campus housing, school-sponsored events, and online interactions if tied to the educational environment.

As regulations continue to evolve, including anticipated revisions from the Department of Education, Saland Law remains current and agile in our legal strategies to ensure that student complainants are always protected under the most up-to-date standards.

Who We Represent

Saland Law represents student complainants at every academic level and in diverse institutional settings, including:

• Ivy League and other elite universities
  
• State colleges and university systems
  
• Private religious institutions
  
• Professional schools (e.g., medical, law, business)
  
• High schools and boarding schools
  
• Online or hybrid academic programs
• Sorority and fraternity members

We also represent students from a variety of backgrounds, including international students, LGBTQ+ students, athletes, and those with disabilities or accommodations.

Our work is client-focused, trauma-informed, and discreet. We are sensitive to the highly personal nature of Title IX allegations, and we protect our clients’ confidentiality to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Why Choose Saland Law

What sets Saland Law apart is not just our legal skill, but our unique experience and unwavering dedication. Jeremy Saland is a former Manhattan prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and Title IX advisor with deep knowledge of both criminal and school-based adjudication systems. He brings prosecutorial precision to Title IX cases, while maintaining the compassion needed to guide victims through a deeply personal and often painful journey.

Because we represent both complainants and respondents, we have insight into the tactics used on both sides, allowing us to anticipate arguments and prepare clients accordingly. We do not rely on generic templates or one-size-fits-all strategies. Every client receives individualized attention, customized legal support, and fierce advocacy throughout their case.

Whether you are preparing to file a Title IX complaint or are already in the middle of an investigation, Saland Law’s advisors stand ready to help you protect your educational future and emotional well-being. We are not intimidated by institutions, nor do we accept injustice. Your voice deserves to be heard. Let us help you make that happen.

Contact Saland Law’s Title IX Advisorsfor Nationwide Representation

Sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and other Title IX violations can alter the course of a student’s life. But with experienced legal representation, student victims can assert their rights, seek justice, and move forward with strength and confidence.

Based in New York City, Saland Law represents complainants in Title IX matters across the country. Whether online, virtually, by Zoom or in person, we are available to consult with students, families, and school representatives about how best to pursue a complaint or respond to developments in an ongoing matter.

If you or your child has been the victim of sexual contact without affirmative consent, or any form of sex-based misconduct in an educational setting, don’t wait to get the support you need.

Contact Saland Law today for confidential and experienced legal representation tailored to your unique Title IX situation.