We are excited to announce distinguished Title IX attorney Felice Duffy has joined the national Title IX powerhouse law firm of Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP.

CALL US 24/7 AT 212-736-4500

About
Marybeth Sydor

Title IX and Higher Education Consultant

ABOUT MARYBETH SYDOR

As Title IX and Higher Education Consultant for the firm’s nationally recognized practice in defense of student and faculty due process civil rights, Marybeth has been advisor to more than 400 students and faculty members in campus disciplinary matters including informal resolutions, investigations, hearings and appeals at colleges and universities across the country. She works with new clients to evaluate allegations of misconduct and provide guidance to determine the best course of action. She regularly develops individualized strategies for students to counter alleged violations in the context of a clear understanding of each college’s specific procedures.

Marybeth’s clients have included persons accused of school policy violations involving academic integrity, student conduct, Title IX and high-profile disciplinary matters.

Marybeth is a passionate advisor advocating for students and faculty during all phases of Title IX and conduct disciplinary proceedings, providing guidance for investigations and adjudications to achieve favorable resolutions for her clients at large public and private universities as well as prestigious liberal arts colleges located throughout the U.S.

As an experienced analyst of higher education Title IX policies and procedures, Marybeth is an integral part of the firm’s litigation team. She provides extensive research, drafts demand letters and petitions and assists with preparing complaints in defense of students and faculty. Some of Marybeth’s cases have generated significant attention from major news media, including The New York Times, USA Today, NBC, Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, and National Public Radio.

As a former college administrator and, significantly, as a mother of two, Marybeth brings a practical perspective to new clients and their families. A professional writer and researcher, Marybeth was international internship and publications specialist for selected scholars at an elite liberal arts college prior to joining Nesenoff & Miltenberg, LLP.

As director of partner relations for an international volunteer foundation, she was advisor to hundreds of college students on higher education programs abroad. She also consults for a higher education organization by writing and developing nationally distributed Title IX campus training programs. Marybeth has dedicated her career to advocating for young adults, championing their rights to due process.

Notable Work

Title IX Advisor

  • Expert advisor with over 10 years’ experience in case management of Title IX grievance processes at elementary, high school, secondary and graduate school programs.

  • Prepares client for investigative interviews, attend interviews as client’s advisor, provides guidance for evidence review and advises on response to final investigative report.

  • Advisor to client during hearing preparation of opening, closing and impact statements; drafting questions for and conducting cross-examination of witnesses at hearing; attends the hearing as advisor to client.

  • Advisor to client on protocol for writing an appeal. High success rate in mitigating and reducing sanctions imposed on appeal.

  • Negotiator and facilitator for informal and alternative resolutions, drafting equitable and effective agreements.

  • Counselor for athletes in Title IX and conduct matters with a focus on maintaining NCAA eligibility and evaluating options for school transfers.

  • Successfully represented as advisor more than 400 students and faculty in Title IX and conduct related matters.

  • Advisor to student accused of sexual misconduct by four complainants, male and female, which resulted in ‘not responsible’ findings for all four cases.

  • Doe v. The Pennsylvania State University – Advisor to pre-med student accused of sexual misconduct in case that won preliminary injunction and ultimately allowed the student to resume studies in the medical program.

  • Doe v. Purdue – Researcher for precedent setting case, uncovering university gender biased information relied upon by Justice Amy Coney Barrett in her decision to overturn a district court on a Title IX claim.

Student Conduct Advisor

  • Counsels clients on school-specific policies and procedures for student conduct violations. Advisor to client for interviews, conduct meetings, preparation of statements, guidance during hearings and for drafting appeals.

  • Overturned the suspensions of three nursing school students wrongly accused of health and safety violations during pandemic protocols.

Academic Integrity Advisor

  • Advisor to client regarding academic integrity policy violations by preparation of written responses, evidence collection, and hearing statements. Attend the academic integrity hearing and assist client with appeal.

  • Successfully represented two medical students at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. One student was falsely accused of cheating due to Dartmouth’s reliance on inaccurate surveillance software. The second student was falsely accused in a Title IX sexual misconduct matter.

Media

How Can We Help?

How Can We Help?

EDUCATION

  • Fordham University Gabelli School of Business, M.B.A., cum laude
  • Marist College, B.A., cum laude