

Julia’s higher education practice includes counseling on day-to-day operational issues, guiding and advising clients on risk management—including in high-risk areas such as Title IX and New York State’s Article 129-B (Enough is Enough)—and representing higher education institutions in litigation matters. She also has a robust background conducting investigations in higher education, as well as workplace, settings.
Julia counsels colleges and universities on:
- Academic affairs
- Admissions
- Campus crime reporting and emergency preparedness
- Civil rights compliance, investigations, and complaint resolution (students, faculty, and staff)
- Contract management
- Crisis communications
- FERPA and privacy
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Policy development and implementation
- Risk management
- Section 504
- Shared governance
- Student affairs
- Title IX and Article 129-B (Enough is Enough)
Julia has developed a broad range of expertise regarding compliance with Title IX, Enough is Enough, and Clery Act obligations, from the annual aggregate data reports required by New York State to representing clients in connection with Title IX investigations commenced by the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). She is fully trained as a civil rights investigator and Title IX Coordinator, and regularly conducts investigations of alleged sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, including sexual assault. Julia also serves as an adjudicator in Title IX hearings for non-legal clients. Julia helps institutions review and revise their policies to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date federal and state guidance related to Title IX and sexual misconduct on campus. In addition, Julia trains administrators, faculty, staff, and campus safety departments on the myriad obligations associated with and best practices for Title IX and Enough is Enough policies and processes, institutional policy, and conducting trauma-informed sexual misconduct investigations, hearings, and appeals.
Julia identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community and has sustained significant community involvement around LGBTQ issues and awareness. As a result of Julia’s personal experience and her diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the community and at the firm, she approaches all client issues with an inclusivity-minded lens.
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Member, Committee on Membership and Member Services, National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Chair, Diversity Committee, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
- Member, Hiring Committee, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
- Member, Inclusion & Equity Committee, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
- Board Member, Young Women’s College Preparatory Charter School of Rochester and YWCP Foundation Board
- Member, 2018 Western NY Human Rights Campaign Dinner Committee
- Former Member and Co-Chair of the LGBT Committee, Monroe County Bar Association, 2014-2016
- Empire State Pride Agenda Spring Dinner Committee; Co-Chair, 2010-2015; Vice Chair, 2012
- Steering Committee Member, Women's Leadership Council, United Way of Greater Rochester, 2013-2015
Honors & Awards
- Recipient, 2017 Annette Itkin Volunteer of the Year Award, Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Recipient, “Top Women in Law” Award, The Daily Record, 2017
- Recipient, “Up and Coming Attorneys” Award, The Daily Record, 2011
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New York
Education
- Northeastern University School of Law, J.D.
- Wellesley College, B.A., cum laude