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Overview

Derek represents colleges and universities in complicated, prominent litigation involving federal and state civil rights statutes, constitutional rights, governmental immunities, and class actions. He specializes in cases involving sexual misconduct (Title IX), freedom of speech, due process, and religious liberty.

Derek represents higher education institutions of all types, from major research universities to private religious colleges. He represents clients at all stages of litigation, including pre-settlement negotiations, dispositive motion practice, trials, arbitrations and appeals. 

Derek’s clients face lawsuits from students, faculty, employees and contractors, as well as regulatory enforcement actions from the U.S. Department of Education and equivalent state agencies. Related to his litigation practice, Derek assists colleges and universities in minimizing litigation risk by ensuring compliance with requirements of federal and state regulations, with a special emphasis on Title IX (sexual misconduct) and the Clery Act (campus crime reporting). He is often called on to conduct sensitive investigations involving allegations of misconduct against prominent employees, student-athletes, and athletic teams.

Derek’s compliance practice includes policy and practice audits, policy drafting, and providing training and guidance to key personnel and students. He also frequently negotiates and drafts employment contracts for key institutional leaders such as presidents, chief academic officers, and varsity coaches.

As a former federal appellate law clerk and appellate practitioner, Derek also has extensive appellate experience and maintains a national appellate practice.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation, 40 & Under Hot List, 2019-2021; Future Star, 2019-2024; Local Litigation Star, 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
  • The Legal 500 United States, Recommended Attorney, 2023
  • Ingram's, 40 Under Forty, 2017
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2009; Business Litigation, 2013-2017

Education

  • J.D., University of Kansas School of Law
      • Order of the Coif
      • Rice Scholar
      • Kansas Law Review, articles editor, 2005-2006
  • B.A., University of Kansas
    • with highest distinction
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Federal Bar Association
  • Kansas Bar Association 
  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • The Missouri Bar
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)

Clerkship

The Hon. Paul J. Kelly Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 2006-2007

Languages

  • Spanish, limited
Experience
  • Obtained summary judgment for major research university in Title IX lawsuit challenging adequacy of institution's response to report of student-on-student sexual assault in a residence hall. Successfully argued and defended judgment on appeal before U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
  • Represented flagship state university and faculty member in breach of contract, tort and due process lawsuit brought by student dismissed for academic misconduct. Obtained summary judgment in favor of university and faculty member and successfully argued and defended judgment on appeal to state court of appeals.
  • Represented major public university and administrators in Title VII and First Amendment lawsuit brought by faculty member who was denied tenure and claimed discrimination and retaliation. Successfully appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit and obtained reversal of district court's refusal to grant qualified immunity to the administrators. Then obtained dismissal of remaining claims against the University.
  • Represented private religious college sued by a faculty member who alleged he suffered religious discrimination and was constructively discharged due to disagreement with the college's religious beliefs. Obtained dismissal in the college's favor and successfully defended the judgment on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, which concluded the college was exempt from the faculty member's religious discrimination claim due to the college's status as a religious institution.
  • Defended former superintendent and principal of school district in case involving seven-figure negligence claims brought by injured student. Obtained summary judgment in favor of clients in groundbreaking application of Paul D. Coverdell Teacher Liability Protection Act and successfully defended case on appeal to state supreme court.
  • Represented private college in internal proceedings to terminate tenured faculty member for conduct inconsistent with college's mission statement and religious principles. Successfully defended termination in subsequent arbitration before American Arbitration Association.
  • Conducted comprehensive historic audit of reports of sexual misconduct by clergy and employees of private, religiously affiliated institution. Advised institution by implementing updated trainings, policies and other measures to address audit findings.
  • Led investigations of alleged sexual harassment and sexual assault involving sports teams at a prominent Power Five conference institutions.
  • Drafted comprehensive anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies for numerous private and public institutions.
  • Trained thousands of administrators, faculty, staff and students on Title IX compliance.
Webinar | June 6, 2024
AI in Higher Education
Webinar | May 1, 2024
Updates on Title IX Regulations
Webinar | December 12, 2023
Hearing Officer Training - December 12, 2023
Webinar | November 8, 2023
Employee Speech and Religious Freedom
Webinar | October 5, 2023
Advanced Title IX and First Amendment
Webinar | October 18, 2022
Title IX Hearing Advisors Training
Webinar | March 25, 2021
Title IX Advanced Training
Webinar | March 9, 2021
Title IX Training 2021 - March 9th
Webinar | January 27, 2021
Title IX Training 2021 - January 27th
Webinar | November 24, 2020
Title IX Training for Advisors
Webinar | October 14, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - October 14th
Webinar | September 11, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - September 11, 2020
Webinar | September 3, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - September 3, 2020
Webinar | August 4, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - August 4, 2020
Webinar | July 23, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - July 23, 2020
Webinar | May 11, 2020
Final Title IX Regulations and Their Effect on Your Campus

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

News Releases | August 19, 2020
Husch Blackwell Scores Eighth Circuit Win for Farmobile in Trade Secret Dispute

The earlier court ruling granted summary judgment to Farmobile.

Outside the Office

Derek stays busy with outdoor activities and sports involving his three boys and enjoys long-distance running.

Derek and his three boys spend time in the woods behind their home exploring and playing with their dog. During sports season, he takes the boys to practice and cheers them on at their soccer games and races. The family enjoys spending time in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Derek is also a long-distance runner.

Community Leadership

Derek is passionate about education.

Derek is the immediate past Board Chair of the Catholic Education Foundation of Northeast Kansas, an organization that helps children in need, of all faiths, attend regional Catholic schools. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, which provides ministry and other support to students at the University of Kansas.

  • ​Catholic Education Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Board of Directors, 2010-2023; Chair, 2019-2021
  • St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas, Board of Directors, 2017-present; Chair, 2023-present