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Arthur L. Coleman
Partner
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in...
Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. With a focus on issues of diversity and inclusion, he has authored amicus briefs in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), Gratz v. Bollinger (2003), and in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (I and II, 2013 and 2016). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the United States.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. With a focus on issues of diversity and inclusion, he has authored amicus briefs in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), Gratz v. Bollinger (2003), and in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (I and II, 2013 and 2016). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the United States.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Experience
Experience
Arts work centers on:
- Development of college and career-ready policy, with a focus on issues of accountability and assessments; accreditation and systems improvement; and access for students with disabilities and English language learners in ways that comply with federal nondiscrimination law
- Development of higher education access and diversity policies, including a focus on enrollment-related and employment policies designed to enhance access and the educational benefits of diversity
- Development of fully inclusive school and university safety and conduct policies, with a focus on student bullying and harassment policies, as well as on issues relevant to constitutionally protected expression and speech
- Design of strategies and the implementation of plans to support non-profit organizations that seek to align their educationally focused goals with policy, demographic, and related trends and developments
- Providing legal advice and institutional guidance regarding federal non-discrimination laws, including those that provide protections against race, ethnicity, sex, disability, and language-based discrimination
-
Development of federal civil rights policy in education and enforcing relevant federal laws centered on issues relating to standards reform, test use, students with disabilities, English language learners, affirmative action, desegregation, sexual and racial harassment, and gender equity in athletics
Previous Professional Experience
- Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
- Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (June 1997-January 2000)
- Associate, Litigation, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (1984-1993)
Education
- Duke University School of Law, JD, honors (1984)
-
University of Virginia
(1981)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Arts work centers on:
- Development of college and career-ready policy, with a focus on issues of accountability and assessments; accreditation and systems improvement; and access for students with disabilities and English language learners in ways that comply with federal nondiscrimination law
- Development of higher education access and diversity policies, including a focus on enrollment-related and employment policies designed to enhance access and the educational benefits of diversity
- Development of fully inclusive school and university safety and conduct policies, with a focus on student bullying and harassment policies, as well as on issues relevant to constitutionally protected expression and speech
- Design of strategies and the implementation of plans to support non-profit organizations that seek to align their educationally focused goals with policy, demographic, and related trends and developments
- Providing legal advice and institutional guidance regarding federal non-discrimination laws, including those that provide protections against race, ethnicity, sex, disability, and language-based discrimination
-
Development of federal civil rights policy in education and enforcing relevant federal laws centered on issues relating to standards reform, test use, students with disabilities, English language learners, affirmative action, desegregation, sexual and racial harassment, and gender equity in athletics
Previous Professional Experience
- Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
- Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (June 1997-January 2000)
- Associate, Litigation, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (1984-1993)
Media
Recognitions
- Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus: Education (2021–2022)
- Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
Professional Activities
- Panel member, NACAC Commission on Redesigning College Admission and Financial Aid Through a Racial Equity Lens
- Board of Directors, National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Board of Directors, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
- Board of Trustees, The Lab School of Washington
- Former Chair, Board of Directors, Institute for Higher Education Policy
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Adjunct professor, University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education teaching enrollment management law and policy
Leadership
- Deputy Group Leader, Nelson Mullins' Government Relations Practice Group
Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in... their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. With a focus on issues of diversity and inclusion, he has authored amicus briefs in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), Gratz v. Bollinger (2003), and in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (I and II, 2013 and 2016). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the United States.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Experience
Arts work centers on:
- Development of college and career-ready policy, with a focus on issues of accountability and assessments; accreditation and systems improvement; and access for students with disabilities and English language learners in ways that comply with federal nondiscrimination law
- Development of higher education access and diversity policies, including a focus on enrollment-related and employment policies designed to enhance access and the educational benefits of diversity
- Development of fully inclusive school and university safety and conduct policies, with a focus on student bullying and harassment policies, as well as on issues relevant to constitutionally protected expression and speech
- Design of strategies and the implementation of plans to support non-profit organizations that seek to align their educationally focused goals with policy, demographic, and related trends and developments
- Providing legal advice and institutional guidance regarding federal non-discrimination laws, including those that provide protections against race, ethnicity, sex, disability, and language-based discrimination
-
Development of federal civil rights policy in education and enforcing relevant federal laws centered on issues relating to standards reform, test use, students with disabilities, English language learners, affirmative action, desegregation, sexual and racial harassment, and gender equity in athletics
Previous Professional Experience
- Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
- Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (June 1997-January 2000)
- Associate, Litigation, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (1984-1993)
Education
- Duke University School of Law, JD, honors (1984)
-
University of Virginia
(1981)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Practice Areas
Industries
- Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus: Education (2021–2022)
- Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
- Panel member, NACAC Commission on Redesigning College Admission and Financial Aid Through a Racial Equity Lens
- Board of Directors, National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Board of Directors, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
- Board of Trustees, The Lab School of Washington
- Former Chair, Board of Directors, Institute for Higher Education Policy
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Adjunct professor, University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education teaching enrollment management law and policy
- Deputy Group Leader, Nelson Mullins' Government Relations Practice Group
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