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"Aleks truly is a gem. I always appreciate how responsive she is—and generally just enjoy her as a person!"

Board chair of K-12 education client

Overview

As a licensed teacher, Aleks knows that every client, like every student, requires a unique and personalized approach to optimize success.

Aleks counsels colleges, universities, and schools on investigations, litigation, and compliance matters that stem from a broad spectrum of harassment, discrimination, and safety issues. These include advising on matters in response to internal and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaints, as well as litigation claims following alleged student or employee misconduct involving criminal activity; minors on campus; and sex, race, disability, age, and national origin discrimination.

She collaborates closely with these institutions, spending time on their campuses, to preemptively isolate potential challenges and design measures to address and promote a healthy, inclusive, and safe environment. Aleks invests time to build strong relationships with clients, so she can understand their individualized risks and devise solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.​​

Clients rely on Aleks' breadth and depth of experience conducting sensitive internal and external investigations. She meticulously prepares confidential, privileged reports and aids decision-makers in addressing investigative findings across a range of contexts, including sexual misconduct, athletic department, board-mandated, and non-compliance investigations.

Education law is a niche practice that continues to grow in complexity, and Aleks understands the necessity of responsiveness and transparency. Should issues escalate, clients trust Aleks for her extensive litigation experience, including serving as first chair in federal and state jury and bench trials, as well as first chair federal appellate court proceedings.​

Prior to joining the firm, Aleks worked at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel under Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in Washington, D.C., and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in Den Haag, Netherlands.

"Aleks truly is a gem. I always appreciate how responsive she is—and generally just enjoy her as a person!"

Board chair of K-12 education client

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
    • Education Law, 2024 and 2025
  • Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame, 2016-2022
  • St. Louis Business Journal
    • 30 Under 30, 2019
  • Education Law Association, August Steinhilber Award for Best Brief Writing in the Appellate Courts, 2017, 2021, 2023

Education

  • J.D., University of Illinois College of Law
    • summa cum laude
    • Order of the Coif
    • Rickert Award for Excellence in Advocacy; Rickert Award for Excellence in Service 
    • Lisnek Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
    • Illinois Trial Team, Coach
    • Education Law & Policy Society, Co-Founder & President
  • B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • summa cum laude
    • Illinois Trial Team, President
    • Illinois Professional Educator License, 2012-Present

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
  • Education Law Association (ELA)
  • National School Boards Association (NSBA), Council of School Attorneys (COSA)
    •  Council of School Attorneys (COSA) Steering Committee, Member-at-Large
  • Serbian Attorney Association, President and Board Member
  • American Inns of Court, St. Louis Chapter, Associate Member
  • Orthodox Christian Attorney Network (OCAN)
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association

Languages

  • Serbian, fluent

I am excited that our mentoring family is expanding and look forward to getting my own mentee on our education team soon.

I am a better attorney because I am a mom, and a better mom because I am an attorney.

Experience

Investigations

  • Led investigation related to minors on campus and alleged criminal activity at institution in two phases: review of hundreds of thousands of documents and conduct interviews of dozens of employees and former students.
  • Led Title IX investigations involving stalking, sexual harassment, sexual assault and violence, domestic violence and retaliation.
  • Led investigation related to freedom of expression issue involving alleged student misconduct on social media.
  • Conducted climate review at public institution regarding regarding sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking reporting measures and resources.
  • Conducted investigation at institution regarding potential sexual misconduct and hazing, which included interviews with multiple coaches and players from numerous sports teams.
  • Served on investigative team at private institution regarding potential misconduct by coaches, which included interviews with multiple coaches and players across men's and women's teams and alumni.

Litigation

  • Secured motion to dismiss filed on behalf of college client in litigation involving claims by former student alleging race and gender discrimination claims stemming from alleged hazing.
  • Secured motion to dismiss filed on behalf of university client involving COVID-tuition remission requests on behalf of proposed class action of thousands of students.
  • Secured motion to dismiss filed on behalf of university client in litigation involving claims of conspiracy, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), civil rights violations and due process violations.
  • Successfully mediated claims for university clients involving issues such as Title IX, disability discrimination and breach of contract claims against current students and athletic conferences.
  • Successfully briefed opposition of plaintiff's motion to proceed under pseudonym on behalf of university in litigation involving disability discrimination and Title IX claims.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice of employment discrimination case pending in federal court without client's depositions being taken or briefing motions for summary judgment.
  • Secured motion to dismiss with prejudice filed on behalf of university client on constructive discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims.
  • Successfully negotiated dismissal with prejudice on behalf of client regarding copyright, negligent hiring and contract claims.
  • Successfully obtained dismissals for university client of motions to dismiss and transfer venue in small claims and breach of contract matters.
  • Drafted award-winning amicus brief that successfully resulted in U.S. District Judge Barbara J. Rothstein issuing a preliminary injunction order in connection with the U.S. Department of Education's recent rulemaking that would have directed hundreds of millions of dollars toward private schools and away from public school districts nationwide.
  • Drafted award-winning amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Council of Great City Schools – nonprofit coalition of 69 largest urban U.S. public-school systems in support of respondent school district in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School Dist. RE–1, 580 U.S. ___ (2017).
  • Successfully obtained partial unitary status for public school district subject to desegregation order in facilities, non-instructional staff and administrative staff.
  • Counseled and assisted multiple public school districts to comply with desegregation orders and consent decrees pending in federal courts throughout the country.

Compliance and U.S. Department of Education

  • Led team in assessing a private university's efforts to respond to and mitigate risks associated with student death by suicide and collaborated with client to design an approach with at-risk students that is consistent with national best practices and applicable legal obligations.
  • Conducted dozens of trainings for clients regarding Title IX, sexual harassment, informal resolution, athletics, alcohol and other drugs, race issues in admissions, pregnancy and parenting, accommodating LGBT students and employees, Clery Act, FERPA, First Amendment issues, investigation best practices, promoting equity and inclusion, updates in federal and state law, and student handbooks.
  • Conducted and prepared audit regarding Title IX equity in athletics.
  • Advised dozens of preschools, daycares, and k-12 schools on regulatory and compliance matters involving licensing, accreditation, safety issues, and homeschooling related matters in advance of broad expansion.
  • Prepared client's change of control application and change of ownership application notifying accreditor and U.S. Department of Education of proposed change.
  • Assisted college in receiving approval of recertification application from U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Office.
  • Assisted college in removal from U.S. Department of Education's Heightened Cash Monitoring in order to receive positive composite score following ED's finding of change in ownership resulting in change of control.
  • Developed comprehensive biannual federal legal updates relevant to school districts' policies and procedures.
  • Obtained insufficient evidence finding on behalf of client from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on student's disability harassment, academic adjustments and retaliation allegations.
Webinar | November 7, 2023
It's Not That Elementary
Webinar | September 6, 2023
Informal Resolution Training
Webinar | April 5, 2023
The Tragedy of Student Deaths
Webinar | February 8, 2023
Title IX Informal Resolution Training
Webinar | August 17, 2021
Informal Resolution Training for Student Misconduct and Title IX Incidents on your Campus

Registration for this training has closed. For additional information, please contact Emily Schumacher.

Webinar | August 13, 2021
[POSTPONED] Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in K-12 Schools: Title IX Compliance and Response to Regulations

This training has been postponed until early 2022. Questions? Contact Morgan Buciumean.

Webinar | June 30, 2021
Issues in Higher Education | The New Frontier of College Athlete Name, Image and Likeness

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | February 4, 2021
Possible Legal and Policy Changes Under the Biden Administration

Emerging Issues in Urban Education Webinar Series

Webinar | September 17, 2020
Beyond the Bathroom

Issues in Urban Education Webinar Series

Webinar | August 17, 2020
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention on Campus in the COVID-19 Era

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | May 18, 2020
Final Title IX Regulations and Their Effect on Your District

Issues in Urban Education Webinar Series

Webinar | March 3, 2020
First Amendment Religious Liberty Issues Affecting Public Education

Issues in Urban Education Webinar Series

Webinar | December 17, 2019
Alcohol and Other Drugs in Public Schools

Issues in Urban Education Webinar Series

Outside the Office

Aleks enjoys viewing the world through the eyes of her young sons.

Whether she's playing baseball in the front yard or dreaming about her family's next Disney trip, Aleks cherishes spending quality time with her husband, Chad, sons Branko and Novak, extended family, and friends.

Community Leadership

Aleks devotes significant time to pro bono efforts in the local St. Louis area.

Aleks has an active pro bono practice. As the Partner Liaison of the firm’s pro bono legal intake clinic with Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, she dedicates significant time to representing low-income families in St. Louis, victims of domestic violence, and indigent clients with a variety of legal issues in state and federal court. Examples of the legal clinic’s work featuring Aleks and other firm attorneys, including the following:

  • assisting a working mom and military wife retrieve a security deposit;
  • helping a mother transfer guardianship of her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy, to another relative when the mother faced a life-altering medical condition;
  • gaining expungement for a diverse client to clear her criminal record based on stolen identity;
  • effectuating a deceased mother's wishes to transfer property to her children upon her passing; and
  • assisting an elderly widow in setting up a power of attorney so that her daughter can help her manage her legal affairs.
Education Presentation Authority

Aleks is a sought after speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars​ across the United States. 

A true educator, Aleks is invited to lead client trainings, as well as present at national and statewide conferences, seminars, and webinars on cutting-edge legal issues affecting colleges, universities, and schools. She enjoys teaching about new developments and facilitating discussion on areas of education law that are constantly evolving. A few recent topics Aleks has trained and presented on include the following:

  • Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX Investigation Best Practices
  • Protecting Minors on Campus
  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Compliance
  • Creating and Maintaining Professional Boundaries with Students
  • Investigations Involving Student-Athletes 
  • Pregnant and Parenting Student and Employee Issues
  • Accommodating Students and Employees with Disabilities ​​
  • ​Informal Resolution & Restorative Justice
  • Professionalism in the Workplace 
  • Enterprise Risk Management Training 
  • Effective Board Governance Training

​“Aleks' trainings are always wonderful! She is thoughtful, engaging, and clearly loves what she does."​
 – Dean of Students, Private University