Matthew Burris

Education litigation advisor for unique matters

Matt Burris helps educational entities understand their legal obligations and address legal challenges at the local, state and federal level. He has concentrated experience advising and litigating on behalf of schools, colleges and universities on all issues affecting educational institutions in California and across the United States.

An experienced trial litigator, Matt has represented educational institutions in all areas of civil litigation, including employment discrimination, tort claims, contractual disputes and administrative complaints in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He has successfully represented institutions in matters unique to education such as:

• Donor gift agreements
• Title IX
• First Amendment retaliation
• Degree revocations
• Denials of tenure
• Plagiarism-based student discipline

Matt’s combination of in-house and private practice experience helps him understand his client’s needs from a legal and operational standpoint. His clients appreciate that he actively listens to their concerns, works to find creative solutions to difficult situations and values their respective missions. 

• Litigates employment and education-specific disputes, including defending university presidents, school superintendents and other high-level officials at depositions.
• Advises clients on legal compliance issues, conducting effective investigations, considerations in employee hiring, implementing employee evaluations and other issues.
• Manages client responses to information requests from federal and state regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, California’s Civil Rights Department, the National Labor Relations Board and other regulatory agencies.