James A. Keller

Jim defends colleges and universities and advises them on critical issues of compliance, policy, and liability. Jim has led teams in both proactive and reactive internal investigations across a wide swath of higher education compliance and risk management issues, including compliance with the Clery Act, Title IX, student deaths, hazing, sexual assault, and alcohol abuse and use on campus. Jim regularly defends institutions of higher education in matters (and litigation) involving student discipline, academic misconduct, tenure denials, and research misconduct. Jim also serves as general counsel to several colleges and universities that do not have inside counsel.

Jim handles complex commercial litigation matters for clients in the real estate, insurance, and defense industries. He has experience leading teams in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, as well as in AAA arbitration. Jim also has handled many appellate arguments before the Third Circuit, all appellate courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and he is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jim handles complex commercial litigation matters, real estate, insurance, and compliance with federal and state laws as well as best practices. His experience includes counseling the heads of schools, senior administrators and boards on sexual misconduct matters, mandatory child abuse reporting, student discipline, student housing issues, study abroad, and academic, medical and disability accommodations for students. Jim also provides advice on labor and employment matters, including employee discipline and separation, as well as issues involving real estate, "town-gown," taxes, and board governance.