Naomi May

Naomi May works with schools and education sector companies to develop effective, compliant products and practices – and then translate their innovations to accreditors, state educational agencies and the US Department of Education. She has a particular passion for helping clients successfully navigate the complex education regulatory environment when they launch new strategic initiatives (including new schools and partnerships) and develop new learning and delivery methodologies and products. Naomi’s experience and working knowledge of each of the postsecondary “triad” agencies enables her to identify creative solutions to regulatory challenges and assist clients with articulating frameworks for their proposals that resonate with both agencies and clients or constituents.

Naomi joined the firm in 2013, bringing with her prior experience at both public and private institutions, as well as service in the Office of the General Counsel at the US Department of Education, where she assisted with litigation, rulemaking processes and program services related to federal student aid. During law school, she worked in the Offices of University Counsel and Institutional Analysis and Effectiveness at William & Mary, where she combined her legal training with her accreditation background to work on governance issues, torts, compliance with state and local regulations, student learning assessment, and data reporting to entities like US News and World Report. Prior to law school, she provided private K-12 and higher education clients with accreditation counseling, development and analysis of customized surveys and inventories, and solutions for integrating strategic planning, budgeting and assessment.

Experience

• Preparing submissions to institutional and programmatic accrediting agencies, including initial/reaffirmation applications, substantive changes and challenges to adverse actions
• Advising in interactions with the US Department of Education and state authorizing agencies, including applications, program reviews, audits, investigations and administrative actions
• Providing regulatory counsel to institutions, investors, and edtech companies through all stages of planning, negotiating and implementing strategic partnerships and affiliation/incubation agreements, financings, debt and equity offerings, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions
• Developing creative strategies for regulatory compliance in the implementation of distance education and innovative educational models, such as competency-based education
• Advising on the development and implementation of workforce development programming and funding opportunities, including registered apprenticeships, on-the-job training and education as a benefit programs offered by employers
• Applying subject matter experience to education-focused investigations and litigation, including student claims, civil investigative demands, inquiries from state attorneys general and federal False Claims Act cases involving the Title IV federal student aid programs
• Monitoring developments in higher education policy to keep clients informed
• Representing pro bono clients in immigration matters, including asylum cases and Violence Against Women Act petitions