Overview
Emily's practice includes advising and representing K-12 and higher education clients on a wide range of education and employment law matters, including student discipline, residency issues, Title IX compliance, policy reviews, discrimination claims, teacher dismissals, and employee misconduct. Emily also has significant experience with a variety of board governance and business matters, including contract review and Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act concerns.
Emily represents clients in state and federal court and in administrative proceedings including tenured teacher discipline proceedings, student expulsion hearings, and residency hearings. She also advises clients facing complaints or administrative charges relating to harassment and discrimination. Emily has trained K-12 and higher education institutions on compliance with Title IX and has served as an outside investigator, decisionmaker, and advisor for Title IX complaints and complaints of sexual misconduct.
She is also the co-author of the chapter entitled “School Board Practices, Procedures, and Elections” found in the Illinois School Law: Organization, Finance & Property published by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). Emily also participates in various community interest initiatives with Franczek P.C., including supervising the Firm’s Education Law Practicum program with Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Emily is a cum laude graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she earned a certificate in Child and Family Law and was a senior editor for the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. Emily received her undergraduate degree, with honors, from Washington University in St. Louis, where she was Captain of the varsity volleyball team.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and dog, traveling, and live music.
Thought Leadership
- PAC Issues Decision Holding Attorney-Client Privilege FOIA Exemption is Not Waived Where Disclosure of Records was Required by Law
- PAC Issues Binding Decision Regarding “Open and Convenient” Meeting Requirement
- One Month In – Title IX Update
- PAC Issues Binding Opinion Regarding Alleged OMA Violations for Improper Board Meeting Action and Remote Participation
- Legal Challenges to the 2024 Title IX Regulations – What’s Next for Illinois Schools?
- Final Title IX Rule on Sexual Harassment Released Today
- PAC Issues Binding Decision Finding OMA Violation for Closed Session Discussions on Curriculum
- New Operational Funds Expenditure Report Requirement in Effect for 2024-2025 School Year
- Illinois Appellate Court Issues New Ruling Concerning the OMA and FOIA
- Recommended Board Policy Update to Comply with New Competitive Bidding Threshold
- PAC Finds OMA Violation Where Public Comment Impermissibly Limited
- PAC Issues Non-Binding Opinions Regarding Applicability of OMA to Board Committees
- FOIA Does Not Require Public Bodies to Compel Production of Third-Party Records
- New Law Allows School Districts to Enter Design-Build Contracts
- New Staff or New Roles? Franczek P.C. Offers Title IX Training for K-12 Administrators
- OMA Amendments Allow Additional Flexibility for Remote Attendance and Closed Session
- PAC Finds FOIA Violation for Police Department’s Failure to Produce Records of Teacher Charged with Assaulting Student
- Illinois Passes New Law Increasing the Competitive Bidding Threshold for Schools
- ISBE Releases New Resource Guide and FAQ Regarding Faith’s Law
- PAC Finds No OMA Violation for Non-Contemporaneous and Non-Interactive Email Communications or Attendance at Campaign Event
- PAC Issues 2022 Annual Report, Summarizing Significant Binding and Non-Binding Opinions
- PAC Issues Binding Opinion Regarding Public Business Discussions at Informal “Meet and Greet”
- Appellate Court Dismisses Claims Barred by OMA’s 60-Day Statute of Limitations
- Hiring for the 2023-24 School Year: New Faith’s Law Employment History Review Requirements to Significantly Impact Onboarding Process
- PAC Issues Binding Opinion Regarding the Applicability of Predecisional Exemption to Employee Survey Results
- Nonpublic School Legislative Update
- Charter School 2023 Legislative Update
- Labor & Employment Law Legislative Update: New Laws in Effect in 2023
- School Law Legislative Update: New Laws in Effect in 2023
- Franczek’s Title IX Team Published in Illinois Association of School Business Officials UPDATE Magazine
- PAC Issues Two Decisions in Favor of School District Decisions to Withhold Student Records and Proprietary Information
- Seventh Circuit Finds for School District in Employee “Reverse Race Discrimination” Claim
- PAC Issues Two New Binding Opinions Concerning FOIA
- Governor Pritzker Signs Two New Special Education Laws Regarding Placement and Interpretation Services
- 60-Day Public Comment Period for Proposed Title IX Regulations Begins
- Illinois Passes New Law Exempting Food Service Agreements from Lowest Responsible Bidder Requirement
- Illinois Appellate Court Issues New FOIA-Related Ruling Regarding Unduly Burdensome Exemption
- Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX
- Title IX Refresher Series Part V: Title IX Advisor
- Considerations for Law Enforcement Referrals
- PAC Issues New Binding Opinion Regarding Personal and Pre-Decisional Exemptions Under FOIA
- The Illinois Attorney General and ISBE Release Non-Discriminatory Student Discipline Guidance
- ISBE Releases Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint Reduction Plan Template and Due Date
- OCR Dismisses LGBTQ+ Complaint Based on Title IX Religious Exemption
- Third Circuit Finds that Deliberate Indifference to Third-Party Conduct May Lead to Title IX Liability
- PAC Issues Binding Opinion Finding in Favor of Public Body’s Use of the Attorney-Client FOIA Exemption
- Bill to End Forced Arbitration in Sexual Misconduct Cases Passes in U.S. House and Senate
- Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case of Former Football Coach Who Prayed on the Field after School District Told Him No
- New Title IX Series: Refresher on the Roles and Responsibilities of Your Title IX Team
- U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Two Higher Education Affirmative Action Cases in Upcoming Term
- Illinois Supreme Court Issues Decision Upholding Private and Personal Redactions Under FOIA
- ISBE Releases New Rules and Goals & Benchmarks Regarding Use of Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint
- Illinois Adopts New Laws Targeting Appropriate Staff-Student Boundaries and Prevention of Sexual Abuse in Schools
- Biden Administration to Propose New Title IX Rules by April 2022
- Illinois Passes New Legislation to Support Students Who Are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence
- PAC Issues Two New Binding Opinions, Clarifying Requirements Under the OMA and FOIA
- 2021 Legislative Update Summary of Changes in School Law
- ISBE and IDPH Update COVID-19 School Guidance
- Are Title IX Live Hearings A Thing of the Past?
- PAC Upholds School Board’s Limitation on Public Comment Duration
- OCR Issues Q&A on Title IX Regulations on Sexual Harassment
- FOIA Decisions Clarify Burden of Proof for Invoking Pre-decisional, Attorney-Client, and Security Measures Exemptions
- Department of Education Releases COVID-19 Handbook for Higher Education
- OCR Issues Request for Information Regarding Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline
- Illinois Supreme Court Issues Important Prevailing Wage Act Decision
- Illinois Appellate Court Finds Improper Use of OMA Litigation Exemption
- PAC Rejects Public Body’s Limitation on Criticism of Public Officials Absent Actual Disruption
- United States Supreme Court Hears Argument in Historic Student Speech Case
- First Quarter 2021 Illinois FOIA & OMA Update
- PAC Supports FOIA Determination to Withhold Records of Sexual Offenses Involving Minors
- Seventh Circuit Finds “Reasonable Cause” Provision in School CBA Creates Protected Fourteenth Amendment Rights
- Illinois Appellate Court Upholds PTAB Decision Involving Farm Property Appraisal
- Key Elements of ISBE’s Permanent Rules on Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint
- SCOTUS Gives Religious Exemptions Wide Berth in Two Key Employment Rulings
- Why Your Next OCR Title IX Complaint May Feel Like A Lawsuit
- U.S. Supreme Court: Title VII Protects LGBTQ Employees From Discrimination
- PAC Issues Further Decisions on Public Comment and Participation for Remote Meetings Under OMA
- OCR Blog Offers Additional Insight on New Title IX Rule Requirements
- They’re Finally Here: U.S. Department of Education Issues Title IX Regulations
- Secretary DeVos Rejects Extensive Waivers to Special Education Requirements, Leaving Core of IDEA Intact
- ISBE Issues FAQ Regarding Special Education During Remote Learning
- Illinois Court Blesses Remote Meetings With Reasonable Public Comment Under OMA
- ISBE Adopts Permanent Rules on Isolated Time Out, Time Out, and Physical Restraint
- Department of Education Releases Proposed Rules for Distance Learning
- Title IX Considerations During COVID-19 School Closures
- Key Reminders on Student Enrollment, Discipline, Records, and Special Education During School Closures
- In the Nick of Time—Special Education Timelines During School Closures for Coronavirus
- UPDATED: OMA and FOIA Requirements Amidst School Closures
- You Know the Drill, But Should You Do One? White Paper Highlights Active Shooter Drill Risks
- Do Virtual Sticks and Stones Also Break Bones? Addressing Cyberbullying Under Title IX
- Don’t Let Tenure Mistakes Saddle You with Low-Performing Teachers
- Key Takeaways From ISBE Guidance and FAQ on Time Out and Physical Restraint Emergency Rules
- What Do ISBE’s Proposed Permanent Rules on Time Out and Physical Restraint Mean for Your School?
- Title IX Lessons from DOE Report Finding Clery Act Violations at UNC
- “No Means No” is Not Enough—New Illinois Law a Reminder of the Nuances Required for K-12 Sex Education on Consent
- Can a Transgender Female Student compete on a Girls’ Sports Team? Supreme Court Justices Address the Question in LGBT Employment Case
- Can a Transgender Female Student Compete on a Girls’ Sports Team? Supreme Court Justices Address the Question in LGBT Employment Case
- Recommended Trainings for Title IX Coordinators and Investigators
- Franczek P.C. Launches Title IX Blog for K-12 and Higher Ed Leaders and Educators
- New Law Adds Procedural Requirements for Special Education in Illinois
- Marijuana, Medication, and Minors, Oh My! New Medication Laws For Schools
- OK to Deny FOIA Request for Nonexistent Records
- Q&A on Supporting Students Impacted by ICE Raids
- Key Lessons for School Officials and Other Public Employees from Recent Court Decision on Trump’s Twitter Account
- Illinois House and Senate Pass New Legislation Substantially Altering Procedures for Law Enforcement Questioning and Detainment on School Grounds
- Do I Smell a Problem? Considerations When Implementing Randomized Drug Dog Searches in Schools
- Department of Education Releases Training Materials on Handling Sexual Misconduct
Publications
- Overview of the New 2024 Title IX Regulations
- Franczek Attorneys to Speak at Illinois Property Assessment Institute Legal Symposium
- Hiring for the 2023-24 School Year: New Faith’s Law Employment History Review Requirements to Significantly Impact Onboarding Process
- Title IX Decision-Maker Training
- Title IX Investigator Training
- Basic Title IX Training for K-12 Title IX Administrators
- Hiring for the New School Year: Criminal Background Check Requirements and Procedures
- 2022 Title IX Proposed Rules – What You Need to Know
- Franczek Webinar – New RTO Requirements
- Join Franczek Attorneys at Joint Annual Conference Presentations
- Triple I Conference 2021: Transparency Talk
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Addressing Disproportionality in Student Discipline and Best Practices for Nondiscriminatory Discipline
- NSBA COSA School Law Seminar: Is Bullying Back? Staff and Student Speech and the Resurgence of the First Amendment
- Another March Madness, Student Athletes Compensated?
- Chicago Bar Association Seminar – The New Title IX: Considerations for Education Attorneys
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series – Join Us On Zoom!
- Franczek Virtual School Law Conference – The OMA Meets Zoom
- Franczek Virtual School Law Conference – Shield and Sword: Law as a Driver of Educational Equity
- Franczek Annual School Law Conference—See You on Zoom!
- Franczek Webinar—What Did I Miss? Hot Title IX Issues You May Have Missed But Can’t Ignore
- Exclusive Webinar for K-12 Title IX Toolkit Subscribers: Using Your Title IX Toolkit
- The Illinois K-12 Title IX T.E.A.M. Title IX Educational Administrators Meetup
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law—Education Law Practicum
- Franczek Webinar—The Road to Compliance: Essentials for Community Colleges, Colleges, and Universities Under the New Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—The Road to Compliance: Essentials for K-12 Schools Under the New Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—The New Title IX: What You Should Know Now
- NSBA COSA Webinar—Fair and Balanced: Objective Investigations Under the “New” Title IX
- NSBA COSA Webinar—Fair and Balanced: Objective Investigations Under the New Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—Student Medical Issues
- Franczek Webinar—Title IX and Employee Rights
- IAASE Fall Conference—Fighting Friendly Fire in your IEP: Avoiding Internal Challenges to IDEA Compliance
- DuPage Regional Office of Education—Legal Lite for New Teachers
Events
- Franczek Announces Hiring of Two Attorneys
News & Announcements
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2018
- B.A., Washington University in St. Louis, 2014
Bar & Court Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois