Schooled in the Law—Implementing and Enforcing Student Policies

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay of the April 2025 webcast, Schooled in the Law—Implementing and Enforcing Student Policies.

Regulating student conduct is one of a school’s most challenging operational tasks. Because strategies in these situations vary wildly depending on the type of school and its culture, professional expertise can be invaluable. The speakers, three lawyers experienced in school law, share proven tactics for setting student policies, conducting investigations, enforcing discipline, and communicating with school administrations and school boards. Specifically, they suggest how to handle off-campus disciplinary issues, challenging parents, allegations of sexual abuse, incidents where a student’s mental health crisis may have given rise to a disciplinary matter, and more.

• Learn from three Virginia lawyers experienced in school law.
• Discover proven tactics for setting student policies, conducting investigations, enforcing discipline, and communicating with school administrations and school boards.
• Explore the best ways to handle off-campus disciplinary issues, challenging parents, allegations of sexual abuse, and more.

Douglas R. Burtch, Burtch Law PLLC / Richmond

Douglas Burtch is owner and principal of Burtch Law PLLC in Richmond. He represents independent schools, businesses of all sizes, non-profits, executives, and professionals. In employment and labor law categories, he is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, is listed in the “Best Lawyers in America” by U.S. News & World Report (including 2022 Lawyer of the Year for management-side employment law in Richmond, VA), and is named a “Virginia Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine and a “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine. He is an author and speaker on issues affecting schools and the workplace.

Mr. Burtch graduated from Emory University (GA) and the University of Richmond School of Law (VA). After law school, he clerked for the Supreme Court of Virginia and practiced in the Washington, DC, and McLean, VA, offices of two international law firms.

Nicole S. “Nikki” Cheuk, Sands Anderson PC / Richmond

Nikki Cheuk is an attorney with Sands Anderson PC. She offers comprehensive guidance to public school boards in all areas of representation, including special education, student discipline, personnel issues, policy, and procurement. Her experience working with a wide variety of school boards enables her to bring diverse perspectives and understandings on their unique legal needs and goals. As such, she can help guide education clients efficiently through a myriad of ever-varying issues. In addition, Ms. Cheuk works with local governments on personnel matters.

Harold E. “Hal” Johnson, Williams Mullen / Richmond

Hal Johnson is chair of the education practice at Williams Mullen. He advises colleges and independent schools regarding board-level governance; Title IX investigations and compliance in the areas of sexual assault and athletics; FERPA and privacy issues; student conduct codes and disciplinary proceedings; Department of Education and/or Office of Civil Rights investigations. He also has served as an independent investigator for sensitive or complicated internal investigations. He has defended educational institutions in various types of litigation, including Title IX litigation, civil rights and due process claims for wrongful student dismissals, as well as personal injury and wrongful death cases.