Practice Areas – Konidaris Law

We are passionate about working with student victims and survivors of gender discrimination, sexual assault, cyber stalking, and other forms of school violence. These students and their families often have the hardest time coming forward and finding the help and services they need.

We have experience counseling these students and their families, who often face an uphill battle coming forward and finding the help and services they need. Our cases draw on a variety of different statutes that protect students’ rights. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”), a federal statute prohibiting gender discrimination in education, lies at the heart of so much of our work, as do several state and local laws, federal disability laws, and racial discrimination laws.

Our cases draw on a variety of different statutes that protect students’ rights. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”), a federal statute prohibiting gender discrimination in education, lies at the heart of so much of our work, as do several state and local laws, federal disability laws, and racial discrimination laws.

FAQ

Nearly 50 years ago, landmark legislation was passed to combat gender discrimination in education. Title IX is a 1972 federal civil rights statute protecting and promoting gender equity in education. It’s been the law of the land for nearly 50 years. The law says:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a).

It protects students and teachers, administrators, staff, and faculty against gender discrimination and sexual harassment. In recent years, Title IX has received a lot of publicity in the higher-ed sphere, but the law provides protection for students of all ages, in all phases of their education, from pre-K to graduate school.

If you are connected with an educational institution in any way and feel that you have been discriminated against, or wish to make a complaint of gender discrimination on behalf of someone else, speak with an attorney.

Colleges and universities, whether public or private, are almost always federally funded because their students receive federal financial aid. Public grade schools are also federally funded. Private elementary, middle, and high schools may be federally funded, but you should speak with an attorney to assess whether that’s the case. If not, there are several other laws that protect against gender discrimination that may be available to you, such as the New York City Human Rights Law, the New York State Human Rights Law, or other similar anti-discrimination laws.

We represent young students and teenagers who have faced gender-based discrimination, harassment, violence, and cyber abuse at school.

We counsel students and their families on ways to prevent and address discriminatory and retaliatory behavior, advocate strategically with administrators, and in the most serious cases, maximize your chance of success in litigation or a negotiated resolution.

Konidaris Law PLLC helps parents and their children in school cases involving:

Gender-based harassment, assault, or discrimination from teachers, staff members, or other students
Disability accommodations in connections with gender-based harassment and violence
Cyber-bullying, harassment, and stalking
Non-consensual disclosure of intimate images
Sexual exploitation and abuse
School disciplinary and misconduct matters
Privacy of student records under Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Other forms of violence and trouble at school

FAQ

No—it is never too early to speak with an attorney. We understand the need to maintain positive relationships between students, parents, and school administrators. We can help you self-advocate while understanding and safeguarding your legal rights. Konidaris Law PLLC offers legal guidance that can prepare you for conversations with administrators with the goal of ending the discrimination/harassment/bullying and maintaining positive relationships with your school.

If that approach fails, we are also prepared to fight for you and advocate for you directly.

It’s not unusual for administrators to act defensively when parents or students complain. Our firm helps families minimize the risk of retaliation from other students and administrators. We work with you to begin a meaningful conversation with your school, and to enforce you/your child’s rights at every turn. That said, retaliation is not uncommon, and we are ready to help you fight it.

Watch Iliana’s video on the topic of retaliation here.

The Title IX and student misconduct process at any university can be unsettling, confusing, and extraordinarily time-consuming. We work with you to get it right.

We can help you bring Title IX complaints or other academic/student misconduct complaints, request and craft interim accommodations, push your case forward, draft crucial communications to administrators, counsel you in a hearing or through an informal resolution, and inform you of your other legal options.

Konidaris Law PLLC works in the following areas:

Title IX Complaints and disciplinary procedures on behalf of victims of sexual assault
Sexual harassment and assault
Relationship violence
Privacy and cyber abuse, including “revenge porn” in all of its forms
Sexual exploitation and sex trafficking
Sorority and Fraternities
Retaliation for engaging the Title IX Office or participating in proceedings
Disability accommodations in connection with gender-based harassment and violence
No-contact orders and restraining orders

FAQ

We can help! Every university is different and has different policies. Your university’s sexual misconduct policies will tell you how to file a complaint, and they should be available online. The university’s Title IX coordinator has an obligation to provide you the policies you need, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Konidaris Law PLLC helps students submit complaints, which often includes gathering relevant evidence, drafting communications, and guiding them through the disciplinary process, through a formal hearing.

Unfortunately, we see this frequently. In these situations, we strongly encourage students to work with an attorney, because your education and your academic record are at stake.

We counsel students through the disciplinary process to ensure that their rights are protected throughout the investigation and/or in a school hearing, while also helping them pursue their own complaint.

There are several factors at play in this decision, and we strongly advise all students in this scenario to speak with an attorney about the process and their options. The most important consideration is always a student’s personal safety. An attorney can identify other factors to consider. For instance, are you more concerned with conduct that occurs on or off campus, or online? Will your abuser/assailant abide by the terms of a bilateral no-contact order? Will that person retaliate against you on campus? What about off campus? These questions will all come into play when determining how to proceed.

Our faculty clients have overcome tremendous hurdles to get to where they are in their careers, including sex discrimination and harassment throughout their graduate school years. Unfortunately, gender discrimination and violence don’t disappear when academics land tenure-track jobs or finally receive coveted tenured positions.

Konidaris Law PLLC helps faculty/staff in the following areas:

Title IX complaints on behalf of faculty or students
Retaliation for engaging or participating in a Title IX proceeding
Sex discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment in the course of your employment

FAQ

We recognize that it can be intimidating, especially for non-tenured faculty, to make such complaints and to demand change. Fear of discrimination and retaliation in connection with your Title IX complaint is real. We offer strategic guidance on how to minimize that risk while also aggressively vindicating your rights.

The effects of discrimination and sexual harassment do not disappear the moment students receive their diplomas and leave campus. If you are considering coming forward about sexual harassment, discrimination, or violence you faced during your college or grad school years, even decades after graduating, please contact us. You may still have a claim if you are within the applicable statute of limitations (i.e. the timeframe in which the law allows you to bring you claim), and you can still make a difference in holding your abuser/assailant/harasser accountable as well as putting the spotlight on any practices or policies that led to the discrimination you faced.

Konidaris Law PLLC helps victims (in New York City) obtain orders of protection against their abusers. Our focus is on victims who are in an educational setting, many of whom are in the process of filing complaints against their assailants at their universities. There are special considerations for students seeking to obtain orders of protections while involved in school proceedings. We help you understand the various factors at play, the most important one being your safety.

FAQ

A court-issued order of protection carries far more weight and offers more robust protective measures than a no-contact order from your university. The order may require your abuser to stay a certain distance away from you or refrain from contacting you in any manner. In New York City, if your assailant/abuser violates the order of protection, they are subject to arrest. However, there are more stringent requirements in obtaining orders of protection, either in criminal or family court, than in obtaining an NCO against your assailant/abuser.

If you seek an NCO against your abuser from your university, in all likelihood, you will be issued a bilateral NCO, meaning that you will also be required to stay away from your assailant/abuser and may be found responsible for violating the terms of the NCO. However, an NCO may help you make quick changes to your course schedule, your living arrangements, and other aspects of your life to help keep you safe. It is important to note that an NCO will very likely have a limited effect on conduct that occurs off campus.

It’s important to inform your university that you have a restraining order against another student. You may be asked to provide a copy to public safety/security, to the Title IX Office, or to another administrative body at your university.

If you also have an NCO against your abuser/assailant, then you may wish to request that the NCO be modified to reflect that you also have a restraining order against that student. The terms of your NCO should not impede the rights set forth in your court-issued order of protection.

We are committed to helping workers who have experienced gender-based violence, harassment, or discrimination, online or in the office. We focus on the below areas of practice.

We support employees in their fight for equality, fair treatment, and safety in the workplace.

We work on cases dealing with:

Sexual harassment and assault in the workplace
Gender, race, and disability discrimination
Pregnant/parenting & caregiving workers on paid family leave, accommodations (PS: we encourage all non-childbearing parents and partners to negotiate parental leave!)
Victims of domestic violence who need accommodations in the workplace
Employees who face discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace

FAQ

Yes! If you are a victim of domestic violence, many jurisdictions, including New York City, have laws that can help you in your workplace. Under the New York City Human Rights Law, N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-101(27)(a-b), employers cannot discriminate against victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking and must make reasonable accommodations. Talk to an attorney to discuss how to protect your rights and your safety in your place of work.

Faculty and staff in academia face specific challenges (and rewards) in the workplace. We counsel those working in academia in the following ways:

Negotiating employment contracts and reappointments
Title IX complaints (on behalf of faculty/staff or for others)
Harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender, race, and disability, and other protected classes

Many of our clients want to engage in friendly negotiations to maintain positive relationships with past and prospect employers but also recognize the importance of negotiating better terms for severance packages, non-completes, and for a higher salary. We are here to help you negotiate the best terms for yourself at any stage of your employment.

For our pregnant and parenting clients, there is often an added layer of stress over these types of negotiations. We get it, we have been there, and we are here to help.

We counsel small businesses seeking to implement progressive, equitable policies in their workplaces. We are a small business ourselves and know how important it is to have accessible and affordable counsel. If you’re looking to adopt robust sexual harassment policies or to provide victims of domestic violence support in your workplace, give us a call.

Gender-based violence perpetrated online can happen to anyone at any time.

The faster you can take action and speak with an attorney, the more likely you will be able to stop the harassment, the spread of photos and other harmful information, and any other violations to your privacy.

Konidaris Law PLLC helps victims in cases of:

Nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images (often referred to as “revenge porn”)
Sextortion, or the blackmail/extortion of a victim to obtain intimate sexual images or sexual favors
Online sex trafficking/commercial exploitation
Cyber-stalking and harassment

FAQ

First, don’t be scared or shy about getting help, even before photos or videos have even been posted. There are several free resources and attorneys that can help you. We encourage you to seek help immediately and to talk to someone you trust.

Second, preserve everything. Preserve the photos and videos in question, take screenshots containing as much data as possible about the image and where it was posted, and any accompanying comments.

Third, map out your next steps to fight for your rights and protect your privacy and your rights. Below are a few steps to consider.

Consider seeking an order of protection against the individual if you know who’s responsible.
In New York, victims can obtain a court order to help you take down the images.
Learn how obtaining copyright for these images of you can help you.

Schools & Universities

Pre-Kindergarten - High School

We represent young students and teenagers who have faced gender-based discrimination, harassment, violence, and cyber abuse at school.

Undergraduate and Graduate Schools

The Title IX and student misconduct process at any university can be unsettling, confusing, and extraordinarily time-consuming. We work with you to get it right.

Faculty and Staff

Alumni

Orders of Protection

Workplace

Employment Discrimination & Harassment

College and University Faculty

Severance, Non-Competes, and Salary Negotiations

Small Businesses

Privacy & Online Abuse

The faster you can take action and speak with an attorney, the more likely you will be able to stop the harassment, the spread of photos and other harmful information, and any other violations to your privacy.