The Boston Bar Association's 2026 Higher Education Legal Conference is a premier event designed for college and university in-house lawyers, administrators, and firm practitioners. This annual conference addresses the complex legal needs of higher education institutions in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Key topics for the 2026 conference include litigation efforts by the Attorney General's Office to safeguard critical programs affecting higher education, navigating shifts in immigration policy and their implications for students and institutions, and the evolving federal research landscape, including grant terminations and increased Department of Justice enforcement actions. Sessions will also cover the One Big Beautiful Bill's impact on federal higher education policy and strategies for managing campus safety and security.
The conference offers ample networking opportunities, including a reception from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, allowing attendees to connect with peers and industry leaders. Notable speakers include Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, who will deliver opening remarks, and Mark McPherson, Principal at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, who will discuss federal research funding challenges.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals, administrators, and policymakers in the higher education sector seeking to stay informed on current legal challenges and best practices. Attendees will gain valuable insights into regulatory changes, compliance strategies, and risk management tailored to the unique needs of higher education institutions.
Speakers(27)
Abra Francois
General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs at Curry College
Abra Francois serves as General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs at Curry College, overseeing legal operations.
Alexandra A. Mitropoulos
Senior Counsel at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP
Alexandra A. Mitropoulos is Senior Counsel at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP, focusing on higher education law.
Alyssa Cherubino
Associate Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Alyssa Cherubino serves as Associate Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, focusing on legal affairs and compliance.
Andrea Joy Campbell
Attorney General at Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Andrea Joy Campbell serves as the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, leading the state's legal affairs and advocacy.
Angela W. Guo
Counsel at WilmerHale LLP
Angela W. Guo serves as Counsel at WilmerHale LLP, specializing in government enforcement and investigations.
Ann Mizner-McKay
Director of Risk Services and Assistant General Counsel at Northeastern University
Ann Mizner-McKay is the Director of Risk Services and Assistant General Counsel at Northeastern University, managing risk and legal issues.
B. Stephanie Siegmann
Partner at Hinckley Allen LLP
B. Stephanie Siegmann is a Partner at Hinckley Allen LLP, specializing in government enforcement and compliance.
Brian LeBlanc
Supervisory Special Agent at Federal Bureau of Investigation (Boston Division)
Brian LeBlanc serves as a Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI's Boston Division, focusing on campus safety and security.
Brigid Harrington
Senior Attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Brigid Harrington is a Senior Attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, focusing on insurance coverage and litigation.
Dan H. Berger
Partner at Green & Spiegel
Dan H. Berger is a Partner at Green & Spiegel, specializing in immigration law and policy.
David A. Bunis
Senior Counsel at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP
David A. Bunis is Senior Counsel at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP, specializing in litigation and compliance.
Denise Barton
Chief Deputy General Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Denise Barton is the Chief Deputy General Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, providing legal oversight for the university system.
Dr. Ronald Schouten, MD, JD
Director at Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Ronald Schouten is the Director at Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in forensic psychiatry.
Elizabeth J. McEvoy
Partner at Epstein Becker Green, P.C.
Elizabeth J. McEvoy is a Partner at Epstein Becker Green, P.C., focusing on healthcare and life sciences law.
Gerard J. Cedrone
Deputy State Solicitor at Office of the Attorney General
Gerard J. Cedrone is the Deputy State Solicitor at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, focusing on appellate litigation.
Jeffrey J. Nolan
Partner at Holland & Knight
Jeffrey J. Nolan is a Partner at Holland & Knight, specializing in education law and campus safety.
Katherine Dirks
Chief State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Katherine Dirks is the Chief State Trial Counsel at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, overseeing significant state litigation.
Kathleen E. Dion
Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP
Kathleen E. Dion is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP, focusing on business litigation and compliance.
Mark McPherson
Principal at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
Mark McPherson is a Principal at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, focusing on litigation and government enforcement.
Michael McGrath
Partner at Ropes & Gray
Michael McGrath is a Partner at Ropes & Gray, specializing in corporate law and higher education matters.
Michael R. Perry
Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Michael R. Perry is a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, focusing on insurance coverage and litigation.
Michelle Pascucci
State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Michelle Pascucci serves as State Trial Counsel in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, managing various trial cases.
Sandra Torres
Senior Counsel and Chief Advisor – Global at Northeastern University
Sandra Torres serves as Senior Counsel and Chief Advisor – Global at Northeastern University, overseeing international legal matters.
Stephanie Charles
Associate General Counsel at Boston College
Stephanie Charles serves as Associate General Counsel at Boston College, specializing in legal affairs and compliance.
Susan Church
Chief Operating Officer and Legal Advisor at Office for Refugees & Immigrants
Susan Church is the Chief Operating Officer and Legal Advisor at the Office for Refugees & Immigrants, focusing on immigration policy.
Tejal Patel
Associate Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Tejal Patel serves as Associate Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, specializing in immigration law.
Vanessa A. Arslanian
State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Vanessa A. Arslanian serves as State Trial Counsel in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, handling complex legal cases.
Event Details
- Date
- March 19, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Boston, United States
- UMASS Club
- Audience
- College and university in-house lawyers, administrators, firm practitioners, and policymakers in the higher education sector.