Education

Field Law has the largest education law practice in Alberta, providing comprehensive legal advice and representation to universities, colleges, polytechnics and other post-secondary institutions across Alberta and Northern Canada.

Our education lawyers understand the complex legal, regulatory and governance environment in which post-secondary institutions operate. Legal matters in post-secondary settings frequently cross departmental boundaries, affect students, faculty and staff, and require institutions to balance legal obligations with governance, operational and reputational considerations.

We work closely with institutional leaders, administrators, boards and in-house legal teams to manage risk, resolve disputes, navigate regulatory requirements and develop policies that support effective decision-making and the long-term objectives of the institution.

Our multidisciplinary team advises post-secondary institutions across a broad range of areas, including:

Labour + Employment

We advise post-secondary institutions on labour and employment matters involving academic and non-academic employees, including:

• Collective bargaining
• Grievances and arbitrations
• Disability management and human rights
• Pensions and retirement incentives

Campus Safety

Our lawyers help institutions develop policies, respond to incidents and navigate legal obligations affecting safety and security on campus, including:

• Sexual violence policies
• Detention of individuals
• Electronic surveillance
• Petty Trespass Act
• Relationships with policing agencies

Governance

We advise boards, administrators and institutional leaders on governance, statutory obligations and public accountability, including:

• Bicameral governance
• Interpretation of the Post-Secondary Learning Act
• Government relations
• Public accountability and the Office of the Auditor General
• Policy development
• Bylaw review and interpretation

Academic Staff

Our team advises institutions on legal and governance matters involving academic staff, faculty relations and research, including:

• Designation and de-designation of academic staff
• Academic freedom
• Relations with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and Universities Canada
• Secondment agreements
• Contingent funding agreements
• Research integrity and Tri-Agency policies
• Research services agreements

Intellectual Property + Research

We help post-secondary institutions protect, manage and commercialize intellectual property and address legal considerations arising from research and innovation, including:

• Copyright and trademark registration
• Patents
• Licensing agreements
• Technology transfer
• Access Copyright
• Data-sharing agreements

Privacy + Access to Information

Post-secondary institutions manage significant volumes of personal, academic, employment and research information. We advise institutions on privacy, access to information and regulatory compliance, including:

• Access to information
• Legislative compliance
• Inquiries from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC)
• Interpretation of applicable privacy and access legislation
• Compliance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
• Data sharing and information management

Reputation Management

We advise institutions on legal matters that can affect public accountability, institutional reputation and freedom of expression, including:

• Public accountability obligations
• Social media
• Defamation
• Freedom of expression on campus
• Class actions

Academic Programs

Our lawyers advise institutions on the legal considerations associated with developing, changing and delivering academic programs, including:

• Program reorganization
• Accreditation reviews
• Affiliation agreements
• Distance learning and online education

Student Matters

We help post-secondary institutions navigate legal and procedural issues involving students while supporting fair, consistent and defensible decision-making, including:

• Codes of conduct and student discipline
• Academic appeals
• Training of adjudicators
• Tuition fee regulation
• Student residences
• International student fees, employment and sponsorship
• Student groups

Endowments + Charitable Giving

We advise post-secondary institutions on fundraising, charitable giving and the establishment and administration of gifts and endowments, including:

• Advancement and fundraising campaigns
• Donors, donations and charitable giving
• Trusts and endowments
• Donation investment, management and administration

Corporate + Commercial

Our Business Law lawyers assist post-secondary institutions with commercial arrangements, transactions and projects, including:

• Land and business trusts
• Public-private partnerships
• Tendering and procurement
• Commercial agreements

Health + Safety

We help institutions understand and manage their health and safety obligations through advice on:

• Institutional legislative compliance
• Policy development and implementation
• Incident investigation and response

Legislative Compliance Monitoring

Field Law offers a Legislative Compliance Monitoring Service to help post-secondary institutions stay informed of legislative and regulatory developments that may affect their operations.

For information about enrolling in the Legislative Compliance Monitoring Service, contact Gina Linden at library@fieldlaw.com or call 780-423-7645.