The education practice at Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville recently elevated Dan Brozovic to Principal – the third elevation during the past two years – thereby further extending the deep bench of legal talent within the practice.
The practice’s recent elevations to Principal also include Sean Beller in January 2018 and Nick Michiels in January 2019. Dan, Nick and Sean, all previously Associates with Powers, have joined Principals Sherry Mastrostefano Gray and Joel Rudnick, and Higher Education Specialist Sharon Bob, in the leadership of the firm’s education practice.
“We are delighted that these three talented attorneys who have contributed to the Powers education practice for many years have joined our partnership,” said Sherry. “They each have unique legal skills and insights that are invaluable to the education group, and their deep knowledge and fresh perspectives will strengthen the practice as we continue to grow. The Powers education team has been consistently recognized as a top-tier group of attorneys and we are thrilled that Dan, Nick and Sean will add to this legacy and further cultivate the practice.”
The Powers education practice group includes the following additional members:
Sherry Gray has represented clients in the education arena for nearly three decades. She advises colleges, universities, and other postsecondary and K-12 institutions on all aspects of state and federal laws and accreditation standards applicable to institutions and their partners. She also helps defend clients against adverse actions initiated by government and accrediting agencies and counsels institutions and investors on mergers, acquisitions, and other transactional matters.
Joel Rudnick has focused exclusively on representing universities, colleges and other postsecondary schools, service providers, investors and lenders on compliance, litigation and transactional matters since 1992. He advises clients on compliance issues arising out of all aspects of the federal, state, and accrediting agency regulation of public and private postsecondary educational institutions, with a primary focus on Title IV federal student aid matters.
Sharon Bob is a Higher Education Specialist at Powers. She works with public and private colleges and universities to help them prepare for Department of Education program reviews or accreditation visits, conduct training on the administration of financial aid programs, provide legislative and regulatory updates, and find ways to limit liabilities following a program review or audit.
Laura Sitarski has worked as an education and litigation attorney in both in-house and law firm settings, with practical experience spanning from existential regulatory and litigation issues to day-to-day counseling and implementation of compliant, practical policies and training.
Katie Demedis is an Associate in the education practice. She advises educational institutions regarding compliance with state and federal standards, including the Clery Act and Title IX. She also assists schools in responding to accrediting agency reports and actions. She actively monitors legislative, regulatory, interpretive guidance, and other developments on a variety of education matters allowing her to provide exceptional support and insight to her clients.
Ryan Spraker is an Associate in the education practice. He joined the firm in 2019 after working as both a summer associate and a law clerk for Powers, and as a legal intern at the U.S. Department of Education. Ryan supports the practice in advising educational institutions on federal regulatory compliance, accreditation, transactional matters, and more.
About the Powers Education Practice
The Powers education practice advises and guides educational institutions through the highly complex regulatory framework in which the education sector operates. Our education attorneys are nationally recognized for their expertise regarding federal laws applicable to institutions of higher education, including student financial aid regulations and accreditation and state licensure matters. They have vast experience assisting institutions in responding to program review and audit findings, and in defending institutions in accreditation proceedings. The team regularly represents clients in transactions in the higher education, K-12, and EdTech sectors. Powers represents private nonprofit colleges and universities, public institutions of higher education, privately owned and publicly traded schools and school systems, Pre-K and secondary school systems, private equity firms, lenders, service providers, and others active in postsecondary education.
For more information on the Powers education practice, visit https://www.powerslaw.com/practicearea/education/.