Josh Whitlock focuses his practice on meeting the legal needs of higher education institutions. He believes deeply in higher education’s mission and impact and feels privileged to work closely with institutions of all types–from community colleges to small private schools and large public research universities–to find thoughtful and effective answers to the unique issues that they face.

Josh has extensive experience defending colleges and universities in a broad range of litigation, as well as counseling them on a variety of issues, including Title IX-, FERPA-, Clery-, and disability-related compliance; the handling of sexual misconduct allegations; and student discipline and faculty tenure matters.

He also frequently interacts with the U.S. Department of Education, having successfully represented schools in dozens of federal investigations and participated in multiple, invitation-only, small group listening sessions with Education Department leadership on topics such as Title IX regulatory reform and the rights of transgender students. He is a national thought leader on Title IX- and disability-related claims and compliance and frequently speaks and publishes on those matters.

Josh is particularly focused on delivering comprehensive, cutting edge, practical, engaging, and cost-effective Title IX team training. He has conducted hundreds of Title IX trainings for a broad range of institutions and has helped dozens of schools design and enhance their annual Title IX team training programs.

The former chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section and an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, Josh also was part of a team of attorneys that taught the Higher Education Practicum at the Washington and Lee University School of Law. He previously was a partner at an AmLaw 200 firm and a leader of that firm’s education industry team.

Josh is fluent in Spanish and uses his extensive experience living and working in Latin America to serve clients. He also uses his Spanish fluency to serve the community, providing pro bono services to immigrants with mental health disabilities or who need help obtaining domestic violence protection orders.

Josh served on the board of directors for Girls on the Run International and for the Mindfulness in Law Society, which coordinates and promotes activities in the legal profession relating to mindfulness, meditation, and other contemplative practices. He also is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte.

Outside of his legal practice, Josh enjoys spending time traveling and in nature with his family and their animals; is a huge fan of college basketball and European soccer; is an even bigger fan of reading and writing poetry; participates in various real estate and land development efforts in Panama; and is heavily involved in literary translation, publication, promotion, and (film and mural) adaptation—especially with regard to poetry and the work of Latin American and Caribbean authors.

Honors and Recognitions

• North Carolina Super Lawyers ®, “Rising Stars” (2013-2018)
• Leadership Charlotte, class XXXVI

Professional Associations and Activities

• National Association of College and University Attorneys

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

• Girls on the Run International, Former Board Member
• Mindfulness in Law Society, Former Board Member

Published Works

• “School Must Prepare for Title IX Changes,” Law360 (October 18, 2018)
• “Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Discussion of Issues That Frequently Arise in Sexual Misconduct-Related Litigation Against Colleges and Universities,” NACUA Notes, co-author (May 18, 2016)
• “The Impact of the May 2013 Montana ‘Blueprint’ on the Sexual Harassment-Related Obligations of Colleges and Universities, NACUA Notes, co-author (June 14, 2013)
• “Federal Disability Laws: Do They Translate to Study Abroad Programs,” NACUA Notes, co-author (April 26, 2012)

Speeches

• “Reimagining Title IX Team Training: Maximizing Institutional Resources and Improving Effectiveness Compliance, Fairness, and Risk Mitigation,” The University of Vermont (Burlington, VT, October 2021)
• “The Last, Best Chance to Get it Right: Designing and Implementing Effective Title IX Appeal Procedures,” Stetson University Webinar (June 16, 2021)
• “Burning Questions for University Officials,” University of Vermont Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 15, 2019)
• “Protection of Minors in Higher Education: Conducting a Self-Guided Audit to Inform Policies, Procedures, and Practices,” University of Vermont Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 15, 2019)
• “Transgender Students: Strategies to Use While the Dust Settles,” University of Vermont Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 14, 2019)
• “Investigations 101: Setting the Stage for Success,” National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) Annual Conference (June 25, 2019)
• “Creating a Successful Title IX Compliance Program,” Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) Higher Education Compliance Conference (June 11, 2019)
• “Addressing the Needs of Transgender Students and Employees in Uncertain Times” National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) (April 4, 2019)
• “Disability-Related Adjustments: 10 Tips for Success and Risk Mitigation,” S.C. Association of College and University Attorneys, Annual Meeting (March 22, 2019)
• “Update on the Impact of Federal Title IX Guidelines,” North Carolina Community College Systems (March 14, 2019)
• “Update on Immigration and Undocumented Students,” University of Vermont Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 16, 2018)
• “Web/Electronic Accessibility,” University of Vermont Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 16, 2018)
• “New Federal Developments Impacting Title IX,” North Carolina Community College Systems (October 9, 2018)
• “Best Practices for Complying With Title IX in Addressing Campus Sexual Misconduct,” South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) (July 27, 2018)
• “Navigating Legal Issues Related to Transgender Students,” University of Vermont 27th Annual Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 2017)
• “The Completing Concerns Facing Community Colleges Addressing Sexual Misconduct Allegations,” Title IX Workshop of North Carolina Community College System (November 16, 2016)
• “Title IX and Sexual Misconduct: What College and University CFOs Need to Know now,” North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities CFO Retreat (November 10, 2016
• “Title IX Litigation and Enforcement: Recent Developments, Trends, and Lessons,” UNC System Title IX Coordinators, Annual Meeting (November 3, 2016)
• “Navigating Legal Issues Involving Transgender Students,” National Association of College and University Attorneys, Annual Conference (June 28, 2016)
• “The Competing Concerns Facing Higher Education Institutions Addressing Sexual Misconduct Allegations,” North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section Annual Meeting (April 22, 2016)
• “Lessons Learned from Claims Brought From Students Accused of Sexual Assault,” University of Vermont 25th Annual Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference (October 20, 2015)
• “Trans Students and Employees: Practical Considerations for Your Campus,” National Association of College and University Attorneys (March 12, 2015)

Education
William & Mary Law School
J.D., 2006