Pace University Title IX Lawyer

Saland Law advises Pace University students, faculty, and staff in Title IX matters with the focus and precision these sensitive cases demand. Led by criminal defense attorney Jeremy Saland, a former prosecutor, our firm advises both respondents and complainants through investigations, hearings, and appeals. Although based in New York City, we handle cases stemming from Pace’s Westchester County campus as well. If you are facing allegations of sexual assault or dating violence, or if you are seeking accountability as a complainant, early guidance can shape outcomes that affect academics, reputations, careers, and immigration status.

What Title IX Covers And Why It Matters At Pace

Title IX is a federal civil rights law codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Its core command is simple. No person in the United States shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The U.S. Department of Education issues regulations that implement this statute at 34 C.F.R. Part 106. These regulations set baseline requirements for notice, supportive measures, impartial decision-making, equitable access to evidence, and avenues for appeal. Because Pace University receives federal funds, it must follow Title IX requirements in both policy and practice.

At Pace, Title IX is not limited to athletics or admissions. It reaches sex discrimination across the educational program and activities, including on campus, at university sponsored events, and in certain off campus contexts where the conduct creates or contributes to a hostile environment. Common allegations include sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence. The policies also address sexual contact without affirmative consent and retaliation against anyone participating in a complaint or investigation. While definitions are school specific, federal regulations and New York law influence how key terms such as affirmative consent and incapacitation are applied.

Understanding Pace’s Community And Process

Pace University has a diverse community that includes undergraduate and graduate students in Manhattan and Pleasantville in Westchester County, as well as students at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains. University policies often centralize Title IX oversight but practical differences can arise between campuses and programs. Law students may face timelines that intersect with bar character and fitness disclosures. Student athletes must consider NCAA eligibility and team status. International students may need to navigate visa implications if a suspension interrupts full time enrollment. Our team addresses these real world consequences alongside the core case strategy.

Prohibited Conduct And Key Definitions

Every case turns on definitions. While the exact language appears in Pace’s policies, several themes recur.

Sexual Assault And Sexual Contact

Sexual assault generally includes penetration or attempted penetration without affirmative consent, as well as certain nonconsensual sexual contact. Nonconsensual sexual contact often covers intentional touching for sexual gratification of another person’s intimate parts or causing another to touch the accused in that manner without consent.

Affirmative Consent

Affirmative consent is a knowing, voluntary, and mutual agreement among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Silence alone is not consent. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Incapacitation due to alcohol, drugs, or a medical condition is a major factor. Where a complainant is incapacitated, there is no valid consent.

Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, And Stalking

Dating violence involves violence or threats of violence committed by a person in a romantic or intimate relationship with the complainant. Domestic violence covers certain acts committed by current or former spouses or intimate partners or other persons under family or household law definitions. Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or suffer substantial emotional distress. These categories often come with digital evidence such as texts, social media messages, and location data.

How A Title IX Matter Typically Begins

A case usually begins when a report is made to the Title IX office. That report can come from a complainant, a bystander, a resident assistant, a coach, or a responsible employee who has a duty to report. The Title IX office will conduct an initial assessment, explain options, and offer supportive measures. Supportive measures are designed to protect the educational access of both parties without being punitive. They can include mutual no contact directives, changes to housing or class schedules, counseling referrals, and academic adjustments. These measures can be implemented before any formal complaint is filed.

A formal complaint triggers the grievance process. The school must provide written notice of the allegations that includes the identities of the parties if known, the conduct alleged, and the date or range of dates. The respondent is presumed not responsible unless and until a determination is made at the end of the process. Both parties have the right to an advisor of choice, though it is always a wise decision to retain your own attorney-advisor who has experience as a criminal lawyer and former prosecutor in lieu of the advisor provided by the school who is not an attorney and lacks the same practical and essential skills. At Saland Law we serve as advisors and strategic counsel from the earliest stage, which allows us to shape the record rather than reacting to it later.

Parallel Criminal Cases And New York Specific Considerations

Title IX is separate from the criminal justice system. A complainant can file a police report while also pursuing campus remedies. A respondent can face a university investigation even if no criminal charges are filed or if the prosecutor declines the case. The standards of proof differ and the rules of evidence are not the same. If a case overlaps with a police investigation in New York City, Westchester County, or elsewhere, we coordinate to protect rights in both arenas and can represent students or administrators in criminal proceedings prosecuted by the Manhattan or Westchester District Attorney’s Office. Statements made in a campus process can have consequences in a courtroom and vice versa. Managing that cross current is part of our role.

Evidence Strategy For Either Side

Evidence wins cases. That includes messages, social media posts, photos, videos, campus card swipes, ride share receipts, and geolocation data. It also includes witness memory that can fade quickly. Whether you are a complainant or a respondent, documenting everything promptly and preserving originals is vital. Screenshots should include timestamps and contact names. Cloud backups should be protected from auto deletion. If alcohol is a factor, note the exact brands and quantities consumed and the timeline. If you saw or experienced physical effects the next day, photograph them and seek medical care to create a contemporaneous record. In addition, witnesses may be key to your case no matter whether you are a complainant or a respondent. Remember, a “witness” may not have seen a particular event but can provide color, context and background.

Rights And Supportive Measures For Complainants

Complainants are entitled to supportive measures that can include academic adjustments, housing changes, counseling resources, and mutual no contact directives. You do not have to prove your case to receive support. You can choose to participate in an investigation or opt for informal resolution if available. We explain each step, advocate for interim protections that actually work, and prepare you to present clear evidence of sexual assault, dating violence, or other policy violations. When appropriate, we pursue appeals to correct procedural errors or outcomes that do not reflect the record.

Defending Respondents With Genuine Concern and Firm Resolve

For respondents, a Title IX allegation can jeopardize everything. That’s right: everything. The presumption of non responsibility is a legal principle, but the social reality on campus between administrators and fellow students alike can feel quite different. We protect your rights from the first contact with investigators. We address emergency removal decisions, guide you through interviews, and prepare you for hearings. Where the allegation involves sexual contact without affirmative consent, we analyze communications and context to show consent or to demonstrate that the evidence does not meet the standard of proof. Where identity is disputed, we use digital and physical evidence to establish alibis and timelines. If there is a possibility of criminal exposure, we balance participation in the campus process with the constitutional protections that attach in the criminal arena.

Sanctions And Collateral Consequences

Potential sanctions range widely. They can include educational measures, probation, suspension, or expulsion. For employees, discipline can include reassignment or termination. Collateral effects are often just as significant. A suspension can delay graduation and impact financial aid. Disciplinary notations can affect transfer applications and graduate or professional school admissions. International students must consider visa compliance. Student athletes can lose eligibility. We plan for these realities and, where appropriate, negotiate outcomes that limit collateral and long-term harm.

Special Considerations For Athletes, Greek Life, And Student Organizations

Team dynamics and leadership roles complicate Title IX cases. Allegations may arise from team events, travel, or social gatherings. Coaches and administrators sometimes impose team rules that go beyond university policy. Officer roles within student organizations can trigger additional reporting responsibilities or consequences. We understand how to navigate these overlapping structures without losing sight of the central Title IX questions.

The Pace Law School Context

Students at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law face additional pressures such as externships, clinics, and readiness for the bar. Character and fitness disclosures require careful handling of both allegations and outcomes. We work with law students to manage the campus process while preserving options for licensing and employment. After all, you did not come this far in your education and find yourself on the cusp of becoming a lawyer only to have your future stolen and stripped from you.

Practical Steps To Take Right Now

If you are involved in a Title IX matter at Pace University, act quickly and intentionally. Write down a detailed timeline while your memory is fresh. Save every text, message, and photo. Identify potential witnesses and confirm contact information. Avoid contact that could be seen as retaliation or witness interference. Do not delete social media content. Seek medical care if needed and request records. Speak with counsel before any interview. The early days are when the record is built. Choices you make now will echo at the hearing or on appeal.

Why Saland Law

You deserve counsel who understands both the letter of Title IX and the lived realities of campus life as well as the life you have always hoped to live well after your college days are over. Jeremy Saland brings prosecutorial and criminal defense experience and a steady hand to cases that are personal, stressful, and often public. Our firm advises both complainants and respondents, which gives us practical insight into the strategies on either side of the table. We emphasize preparation, evidence management, and clear advocacy that respects the seriousness of sexual assault and dating violence allegations while protecting procedural fairness for everyone involved.

Although our office is homed in New York City, Saland Law handles Title IX cases across the country. We are familiar with the core federal framework at 20 U.S.C. § 1681 and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, and we adapt to the nuances of individual institutions. Whether your case is in Manhattan, Pleasantville, White Plains, or at another campus entirely, we can help you navigate the process from first report through final resolution.

Speak With Saland Law

If you are a Pace University student or employee facing a Title IX issue, do not wait. The path forward starts with information, strategy, and a plan you can trust. Contact Saland Law to discuss your situation and your goals. We will listen, explain your options, and take the steps necessary to protect your education, your career, and your future.