In the wake of a significant U.S. Supreme Court order that struck down affirmative action in college admissions, law firms specializing in higher education and discrimination practices are finding themselves busier than ever. According to the National Law Journal, these firms are now tasked with advising the affected colleges and universities on a range of new subjects that have arisen since the court’s ruling.
Following the June ruling, both new and established clients from higher education sectors, along with numerous private sector entities, have sought help from law firms. The demand has not only seen a rise in the number of clients but also in the billable hours, as firms navigate their clients through the legal intricacies and potential challenges.
Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells highlighted the impact on his workload, noting that around a third of his time is now spent dealing with matters related to the court’s affirmative action decision. He adds that this has resulted in a significant uptick in hours spent addressing these issues.
In response to the ruling, law firms are now busy advising clients on optimal ways to ensure compliance and minimize any potential legal challenges in the future. The landscape of legal advisory for higher education is clearly going through a transformative phase, providing a novel area of focus for the legal profession.