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Elizabeth
B.
Meers
Partner, Washington, D.C.
elizabeth.meers@hoganlovells.com
Elizabeth Meers is the firm's Education Practice Area Leader. Her practice focuses on the representation of educational institutions and other organizations, particularly in matters relating directly or indirectly to federal grants and contracts.
Elizabeth has represented colleges and universities, academic medical centers, school districts, independent schools, and other educational organizations in matters relating to sponsored research, student financial aid, compensatory and special education programs, and other federal grants and contracts. She has litigated against federal agencies as well as counseled clients on compliance with civil rights, privacy, and other federal regulatory requirements. She has represented clients in matters affecting eligibility for federal funding, accreditation, state education licensure, governance, and faculty tenure. She has assisted clients in structuring and obtaining regulatory approvals for new educational initiatives such as distance learning and international ventures. She has worked as education regulatory counsel on numerous transactions involving educational institutions. Elizabeth has also worked with clients in addressing the legal implications of the special mission of religious-affiliated higher education institutions.
In addition to her role as outside counsel, Elizabeth was seconded to an academic medical center on a half-time basis during 1997 and 1998. She served as Interim Executive Director of the National Association of College and University Attorneys from September 2000 through January 2001.
During law school, Elizabeth served as an articles editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. After law school, she served as a law clerk to The Honorable John M. Ferren of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and joined Hogan & Hartson in 1982.
Elizabeth regularly speaks at professional conferences and contributes to professional publications, particularly in the education field. In 2004 she co-authored with William E. Thro the monograph "Race-Conscious Admissions and Financial Aid Programs" published by the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Advice to a leading university in voluntarily reporting and resolving self-identified errors in annual application and report to U.S. Department of Education for campus-based program funds.
- Advice to independent schools concerning legal implications of receipt of federal financial assistance.
- Representation of foreign institution seeking institutional accreditation from U.S. regional accreditor.
- Preparation of comments on behalf of higher education associations on Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) proposed privacy and safeguards rules under Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, successfully arguing that colleges and universities that comply with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act should be deemed to comply with the FTC's privacy rule.
- Education regulatory counsel to for-profit, publicly held higher education company in initial and secondary offerings, as well as in acquisition and subsequent disposition of controlling interest in company by venture capital firm.
Hogan Lovells Publications
29 April 2011
"U.S. Department of Education issues letters on gainful employment, state authorization for distance education, and trial three-year cohort default rates." Education Investors Alert, Hogan Lovells
29 March 2011
"U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on program integrity regulations." Education Investors Alert, Hogan Lovells
14 January 2011
"U.S. Department of Education issues final rules pertinent to foreign schools." Education Investors Alert, Hogan Lovells
29 November 2010
"U.S. Department of Education publishes new regulations related to federal student financial aid." Education Investors Alert, Hogan Lovells
22 June 2010
"U.S. Department of Education Proposes Rule on Program Integrity For Public Comment." Education Investors Alert, Hogan Lovells
23 September 2008
"Congress Addresses Foreign Institutions in Higher Education Opportunity Act." Education Investors Update, Hogan & Hartson LLP
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