Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Mergers, Acquisitions, and Antitrust
Release Date: 04/02/2025
Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Labor, Employment, and Benefits
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we consider the importance of advanced planning in relation to labor, employment, and benefits, to comply with legal obligations and navigate obstacles. We discuss unionization and collective bargaining agreements, the risks of failing to properly administer employee benefit plans, and the differences between affiliations and...
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Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Privacy and Data Security
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we discuss rapidly evolving state privacy laws, and compliance regulations such as FERPA and GLBA, that are creating a complex landscape in higher education. We also consider post-consolidation integration challenges, as new cybersecurity requirements need to be implemented across combined organizations. Laura Giles, a partner in...
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Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Intellectual Property
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we focus on intellectual property developed at and managed by systems of higher education. We discuss how universities can best manage and leverage their portfolios, including intellectual property assets that they can package together to optimize and increase value of these assets. We also review federal funding and policies that...
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Manufacturing Moment: How State Associations Navigate the Policy Landscape
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Manufacturing Moment” series, where we discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. In today’s episode, we’re joined by two special guests; Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and Angela Wilhelms, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry. We discuss the manufacturing landscape in their respective states; including providing data driven research in the policy-making processes, the complexities of navigating...
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Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Public Finance
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we discuss financial challenges facing many colleges and universities, such as declining enrollment, decreased funding, and restrictions that are associated with tax-exempt financing. We consider the tax and legal implications of a merger or acquisition, and the liquidation of assets in the case of university closures. Laura Giles,...
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Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation - Real Estate and Tax
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in higher education consolidation and closures, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we focus on real estate and tax in education consolidation. We discuss the value and marketability of excess real estate, and factors to consider in consolidation transactions such as zoning, historic preservation, and local real estate market dynamics. We also discuss tax issues, including transfer taxes, property tax exemptions,...
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Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation – Mergers, Acquisitions, and Antitrust
Business Better
This episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. To kick-off this series, we focus on mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust considerations in the higher education industry. We explore obstacles that institutions face when considering consolidation, such as cultural and academic alignment, and regulatory approvals. We also discuss the impact of antitrust regulations, including changes to the...
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An Introduction to Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation
Business Better
This episode is an introduction of our new series “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation,” where we will discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions. In today’s episode, we focus on key factors driving these trends, including declines in demographic and enrollment, and the outline the challenges institutions face in making difficult strategic decisions due to competing interests of various constituencies. Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr’s Education...
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Manufacturing Moment: Manufacturers’ Priorities for the New Administration
Business Better
This episode is part of our new series “Manufacturing Moment,” where we will discuss important developments in the manufacturing space, and provide insight on how these major changes will affect the industry. Today, we’re taking a look at the Trump administration and his manufacturing priorities. This episode features a discussion with Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). We discuss regulatory priorities, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and preserving the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Brendan K....
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The Looming Threat of Immigration Raids at Your Workplace – What to do When ICE Comes Knocking
Business Better
In light of recent executive orders, today’s podcast focuses on what organizations can expect with the new administration’s promises on immigration, as well as what employers can do when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives to the workplace. We discuss which documents need to be in order, protocols that employers should have in place in case of a raid, and what to do in the aftermath of this event. Stephen Stigall, a partner in Ballard’s White Collar Defense and Investigations practice group, leads the discussion. He is joined by Hank Hockeimer, a partner and leader of...
info_outlineThis episode is part of our “Bridging Campuses: Legal Insights on Education Industry Consolidation” series, where we discuss trends in the consolidation and closures in higher education, and outline common characteristics of at-risk institutions.
To kick-off this series, we focus on mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust considerations in the higher education industry. We explore obstacles that institutions face when considering consolidation, such as cultural and academic alignment, and regulatory approvals. We also discuss the impact of antitrust regulations, including changes to the Hart-Scott-Rodino filing requirements.
Bill Rhodes, a partner and leader of Ballard Spahr’s Education Industry Team, hosts the discussion. Bill is joined by Laura Giles, a partner in Ballard Spahr’s Mergers and Acquisitions Group, and Liz Weissert, an associate in Ballard Spahr’s Antitrust and Competition Group.