Title IX Defense Lawyers in Austin

At Parisi, Coan & Saccocio, PLLC, we provide nationwide Title IX representation for college students, faculty, and staff, with an office located in Austin, Texas, to serve clients throughout the area. For years, we have focused our practice on Title IX and related misconduct matters, bringing decades of criminal defense experience to cases at colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Texas at Austin.

Attorney Patrick J. Saccocio has been in practice since 1989 and previously served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. That background in criminal prosecution and defense allows us to coordinate strategy across campus proceedings and any parallel criminal investigation in a way that purely academic advisors cannot, whether your case is proceeding through a university disciplinary board in Austin or at a school anywhere else in the country.

We are licensed in multiple states, including Texas, New York, California, Arizona, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Minnesota, and North Dakota, and while our Austin office serves as a local point of contact for college students, faculty, and staff in the area, including at the University of Texas at Austin, our firm represents clients at colleges and universities nationwide. In addition to Austin, we maintain offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts; San Jose, California; Tempe, Arizona; New York and Schenectady, New York; and Charlotte, North Carolina, with both a general inquiries line and an Emergency Title IX Assistance line so we can respond quickly wherever your case arises.

If you have received a Title IX notice or expect a complaint may be filed at a college or university in the Austin area or elsewhere in the country, call our Emergency Title IX Assistance line or our general inquiries number at (737) 200-2332 to speak with our team about your options before you respond.

Why Choose Parisi, Coan & Saccocio, PLLC For Your Title IX Case

When you work with us, you work directly with one of our skilled attorneys from start to finish. Our attorneys lead each matter, whether it involves student misconduct allegations, dating or domestic violence, or related employment issues under Title VII, for clients in Austin, across Texas, and nationwide.

We are selective about the cases we accept so we can provide the individualized attention high-stakes Title IX matters require, no matter which of our offices is closest to your case. Our attorneys have extensive experience with assaultive offenses and related criminal representation, which allows us to offer complete legal advice whenever there is a risk of criminal investigation or prosecution, whether that's in the Austin area or elsewhere in the country.

Title IX regulations and institutional policies evolve regularly, and colleges and universities across the country update their own codes of conduct and procedures as well. We closely track changes in federal regulations, Office for Civil Rights guidance, and campus procedures nationwide, from our Austin office to our other locations, so our strategy reflects the current rules that apply to your case, not last year's version of the process.

Clients who have trusted us in difficult moments have shared feedback such as, "Your legal expertise, guidance, and support were invaluable during what was an incredibly stressful time for me" and "Your expertise on this matter, professionalism, and dedication to the work far exceeded our expectations." We take that trust seriously in every new matter we accept, whether the client is local to Austin or located anywhere else in the country.

Understanding The Risks In A Title IX Investigation

A Title IX case at a college or university, whether in the Austin area, including the University of Texas at Austin, or elsewhere in the country, often involves two parallel tracks: the campus disciplinary process and the possibility of criminal prosecution. In Austin, that could mean coordination with the Travis County Attorney's Office or Travis County District Attorney's Office; in other parts of the country, it may involve a different local prosecutor's office entirely. Academic sanctions can include suspension, expulsion, loss of credit hours, removal from housing, and restrictions that disrupt degree completion. At the same time, the same underlying conduct may be investigated by local law enforcement, including the Austin Police District or a university police department, with exposure to criminal charges.

Faculty and staff accused under Title IX at a college or university can face additional consequences, including damage to tenured positions, termination from employment, loss of research or coaching roles, and long-term impact on professional reputation. These matters frequently intersect with Title VII employment discrimination and other labor and employment issues, so they require an approach that accounts for both education law and workplace rights.

Non-attorney Title IX advisors provided by a college or university do not have attorney-client privilege. Statements made to them, or during a campus interview, can be requested or used in related criminal or civil proceedings. Working with a licensed attorney allows you to have confidential discussions protected by attorney-client privilege while we plan your response.

Who We Represent

We represent members of the college and university community nationwide, including students, faculty, and staff in the Austin area, such as at the University of Texas at Austin, across the full range of Title IX roles. That includes students accused of misconduct, students bringing complaints, faculty and staff, and coaches and players. Our goal is to protect our clients' rights and futures, whatever their position in the process and wherever their school is located.

For students, we address the academic and disciplinary consequences of a Title IX finding, as well as the potential impact on transfer options, graduate school, professional licensing, and employment background checks. For faculty and staff, we evaluate risks to tenure, contracts, and long-term career paths and draw on our experience at the intersection of Title IX and Title VII to inform strategy.

Because Title IX proceedings can move forward while criminal investigations are pending, we pay close attention to how any statement, document, or hearing testimony may affect you in both arenas. We counsel college students, faculty, and staff in Austin and nationwide on when and how to participate in campus proceedings in light of these broader risks.

How We Guide Clients Through The Title IX Investigation Process

Our representation covers the full lifecycle of a Title IX case, from the moment you receive a complaint or notice of investigation through hearing, disposition, and appeal. We begin by reviewing the allegations, the institution's Title IX policy, and any related student misconduct code of conduct provisions specific to your college or university to identify the rules and procedures that apply.

We explain both the direct consequences (such as suspension or termination) and collateral consequences (such as impact on future education, licensing, and immigration status) so you can make informed decisions. We advise on your rights under Title IX, the student misconduct code, and related laws such as the Clery Act and Violence Against Women Act amendments.

We then help you prepare a comprehensive response. This can include coordinating a private investigation into the facts, interviewing potential witnesses, gathering and preserving texts, emails, social media messages, and other documentation, and identifying surveillance video or other records that may be relevant. We analyze how those materials may be viewed under the institution's standard of proof, often a preponderance of the evidence or clear and convincing evidence.

Throughout the investigation, we participate in meetings, interviews, and any campus disciplinary hearing to the full extent institutional rules allow. Whether working from our Austin office or one of our other locations nationwide, we advocate before Title IX coordinators, investigators, and hearing panels at colleges and universities across the country, and we help you navigate any questioning or cross-examination process your school uses.

In cases where a negotiated resolution is appropriate, we work to reach a disposition that minimizes academic and professional harm. If the outcome is adverse, we assist with appeals, evaluating grounds such as procedural errors, due process concerns, or new evidence, and we advise on potential civil claims that may arise from the investigation or determination.

When there is an ongoing or potential criminal investigation, whether in the Austin area or elsewhere in the country, we coordinate strategy so that your approach in the campus proceeding does not unnecessarily increase your criminal exposure. We draw on our background in dating and domestic violence defense and other criminal matters to manage these overlapping systems carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions About Title IX Defense

Is what I tell a school-provided Title IX advisor confidential?

Attorney-client confidentiality does not apply to non-lawyer Title IX advisors offered by a college or university, including the University of Texas at Austin. They may be required to report certain information to the institution, and their communications can be requested in related proceedings. When you speak with a licensed attorney, your conversations are protected by attorney-client privilege, which is designed to allow open discussion of the facts and your options. We explain how this protection applies in your situation and help you decide what to share, and with whom, at each stage of the case.

Can a Title IX case and a criminal case happen at the same time?

Yes. A campus Title IX investigation and a law enforcement investigation can proceed at the same time based on the same alleged conduct. In Austin, that might involve the Austin Police District or Travis County authorities; elsewhere in the country, it would involve the relevant local law enforcement agency. The campus process uses its own procedures and standards of proof, which are generally lower than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard in criminal court. Decisions you make in one forum can affect the other, especially any statements you provide. We advise clients nationwide on how to coordinate strategy across both proceedings and when it may be appropriate to limit participation in one to protect interests in the other.

What standard of proof does my college use in a Title IX case?

Most colleges and universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, use either a preponderance of the evidence standard, which asks whether it is more likely than not that the conduct occurred, or a clear and convincing evidence standard, which requires a higher level of certainty. Both are lower than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard used in criminal cases. We review your school's policy, explain which standard applies, and help you understand what that means for the type and amount of evidence needed to meet or challenge that standard.

What happens if I ignore a Title IX complaint or refuse to participate?

If a student does not respond to a Title IX notice or declines to participate in the investigation, the school can usually move forward without that student's input. The institution may rely on witness statements, documents, and other evidence it collects, and it can reach a determination and impose sanctions even if the respondent or complainant does not participate. We help you evaluate the risks of non-participation in light of both campus consequences and any parallel criminal issues so you can choose an approach that protects your interests.

Will I be able to question or cross-examine witnesses?

Many campus Title IX procedures allow some form of questioning of parties and witnesses, but the format varies widely by college or university. In some systems, advisors submit written questions to a hearing panel, which then decides what to ask. In others, advisors may conduct live questioning subject to rules set by the institution. We review the specific procedures at your college, whether that's the University of Texas at Austin or a school anywhere else in the country, prepare questioning designed to test the reliability of key testimony, and guide you through what to expect at any hearing.

What evidence is used in a Title IX investigation?

Title IX investigations often involve digital communications such as text messages, emails, and social media posts, as well as photos, videos, surveillance footage, access card records, and witness interviews. The way this evidence is collected, preserved, and interpreted can significantly affect the outcome. We work with you to identify and secure relevant materials, challenge incomplete or misleading evidence, and present a coherent account that aligns with the applicable standard of proof.

How long does a Title IX investigation take?

The length of a Title IX investigation depends on the school's policies and the complexity of the case. Some matters conclude in several weeks, while others extend for months. Institutions are generally required to follow their published timelines, although they often allow extensions for good cause. We monitor deadlines, push for timely progress when appropriate, and keep you informed about the expected timeline and any changes.

What is the role of a Title IX advisor?

A Title IX advisor can attend interviews, meetings, and hearings with you, help you understand the procedures, and participate in questioning to the extent the school's policy allows. When your advisor is an attorney, you also receive legal advice about your rights, potential consequences, and how your actions in the campus process may affect any civil or criminal exposure. We serve as both your advisor in the campus proceeding and your legal counsel, coordinating your approach across all related issues.

Can my college discipline me for something that happened off campus?

Colleges and universities can often impose Title IX discipline for conduct that occurs off campus if it arises within the institution's education program or activity and the school has substantial control over the respondent and the context. This may include off-campus housing, events, or activities tied to the institution. We examine the jurisdictional provisions of your college's policy and challenge overreach where the policy or regulations do not support the exercise of Title IX authority.

Do I have the right to appeal a Title IX decision?

Most Title IX procedures provide both parties with the right to appeal on specific grounds, such as procedural errors, due process issues, the discovery of new evidence, or concerns about the appropriateness of sanctions. We review the hearing record, identify viable appeal arguments, prepare written submissions, and counsel you on further legal options if the appeal does not resolve the matter in your favor.

Can my parents access information about my Title IX case?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) generally protects the privacy of students' education records, including Title IX files, at postsecondary institutions. Schools often cannot disclose detailed information to parents without the student's written consent, although there are limited exceptions. We explain how FERPA applies in your situation and help you complete any necessary authorizations if you want family members to receive information or participate in discussions with us or the institution.

Talk With Our Title IX Defense Attorneys

If you are facing a Title IX investigation or disciplinary hearing at a college or university, whether in the Austin area, including the University of Texas at Austin, or anywhere else in the country, early legal guidance can make a significant difference in how your case unfolds. We bring decades of criminal trial experience, focused Title IX knowledge, and a nationwide reach anchored by local offices, including here in Austin, to help protect your education, career, and future.

To discuss your situation confidentially, call our Emergency Title IX Assistance line or contact our office at (737) 200-2332 to speak with our team about your next steps.