Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in...
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Arthur L. Coleman
Founding Partner
101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
art.coleman@educationcounsel.com
Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. He has authored amicus briefs in major U.S. Supreme Court cases, including: Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003); in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2013 and 2016); and in SFFA v. Harvard and UNC (2023). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the U.S.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. He has authored amicus briefs in major U.S. Supreme Court cases, including: Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003); in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2013 and 2016); and in SFFA v. Harvard and UNC (2023). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the U.S.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Education
- Duke University School of Law, JD, honors (1984)
-
University of Virginia
(1981)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- District of Columbia
Media
Recognitions
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus: Education (2021–2022)
- Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
Professional Activities
- Panel member, NACAC Commission on Redesigning College Admission and Financial Aid Through a Racial Equity Lens
- Board of Directors, National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Board of Directors, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
- Board of Trustees, The Lab School of Washington
- Former Chair, Board of Directors, Institute for Higher Education Policy
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Adjunct professor, University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education teaching enrollment management law and policy
Leadership
- Deputy Group Leader, Nelson Mullins' Government Relations Practice Group
Art is a founding partner of EducationCounsel LLC, where he provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts, and state agencies throughout the country. As a national leader on issues of student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion, Art supports national non-profit organizations and higher education institutions in... their efforts to advance DEI aims in legally sustainable ways with a focus on mission-aligned objectives and principles of innovation.
Art previously served as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) where, in the 1990s, he spearheaded the development of the department's Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, and OCR's first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.
Art was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. He has authored amicus briefs in major U.S. Supreme Court cases, including: Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003); in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2013 and 2016); and in SFFA v. Harvard and UNC (2023). His advocacy work also includes the development of a federal amicus strategy and numerous briefs on behalf of transgender students in federal court litigation throughout the U.S.
Art is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy. In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that he is “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion.”
A former litigator, Art has testified before the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Education
- Duke University School of Law, JD, honors (1984)
-
University of Virginia
(1981)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- District of Columbia
The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.
- Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus: Education (2021–2022)
- Legal 500 United States, Government: Government relations (2020–2022)
- Panel member, NACAC Commission on Redesigning College Admission and Financial Aid Through a Racial Equity Lens
- Board of Directors, National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
- Board of Directors, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
- Board of Trustees, The Lab School of Washington
- Former Chair, Board of Directors, Institute for Higher Education Policy
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Adjunct professor, University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education teaching enrollment management law and policy
- Deputy Group Leader, Nelson Mullins' Government Relations Practice Group