Title IX Respondent Defense | K-12 & Higher Ed
Receiving a Notice of Allegations creates instant panic. You may feel blindsided, but you are not powerless. The steps you take in the next 24 hours will define the rest of this process. We stop the spiral and start the strategy
Webb Consulting Group represents respondents in both K-12 and higher education—students and families, as well as faculty and staff navigating school-based Title IX processes.
What to do first?
The next 24 hours are about protecting your position, not proving your innocence. Here’s what to do first:
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Do not contact the complainant (even to “clear it up”), and follow any no-contact or interim directives exactly.
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Stop talking about the case in text, DMs, group chats, or social media. Even “private” posts and messages can become evidence.
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Preserve everything. Don’t delete messages, photos, location data, or screenshots. Save what you have and back it up.
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Write a private timeline now while your memory is fresh: dates, times, locations, witnesses, what was said, what happened before/after.
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Find the policy and deadlines. The notice usually tells you the allegations and the process steps—those deadlines move fast.
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Get an advisor early. Even when attorneys can’t “speak for you” in a meeting or hearing, they can still shape the strategy, prepare you, and protect you behind the scenes.
We can step in immediately to help you triage the notice, stabilize the situation, and plan your next move.
What to do next?
Every school’s process is a little different, but most Title IX cases follow a predictable path:
notice → investigation → evidence review → determination/hearing → appeal
Here’s what that typically looks like:
1) Notice + Immediate Restrictions
You may receive a no-contact directive, schedule changes, activity restrictions, or interim measures before any final decision is made.
2) Investigation & Interviews
An investigator may interview you and other witnesses, gather messages, videos, and documents, and create an investigative record.
3) Evidence Review / Written Response
Many schools allow the parties to review evidence and respond before a decision is reached.
4) Hearing or Determination
Depending on the institution and policy, there may be a live hearing or a decision-maker may evaluate the record.
5) Outcome + Sanctions + Appeal Rights
Consequences can range from warnings and restrictions to suspension, expulsion, termination, or a lasting record. Most policies include a path to appeal.
How WCG can help you?
Our edge is preparation. Title IX outcomes often turn on credibility, consistency, and process—not just what happened. We use the 5P principle: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
That preparation includes:
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Process mastery: We map the school’s policy and timeline, identify deadlines, and plan each step so you never walk into a meeting blind.
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Mock interviews: We run realistic practice interviews so you learn how investigators ask questions, how to respond clearly, and how to avoid common traps that create inconsistencies.
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Mock hearings: If a hearing is on the table, we rehearse it—direct questions, cross-examination dynamics (when applicable), exhibits, and how to stay composed under pressure.
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Evidence + report review: We help you organize documents and communications, and we review investigative summaries or reports with you so your feedback is precise, consistent, and strategic.
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Written submissions: We assist with written responses, impact statements, and other narrative submissions so your position is clear, grounded, and aligned with the record.
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Presentation coaching: We work on tone, pacing, and phrasing so your answers read as credible and confident—because how you communicate matters.
Bottom line: We don’t just “show up.” We help you perform when it counts.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer if the school says my attorney can’t “speak” at the hearing?
Your advisor may not always be allowed to speak for you, which makes it even more critical that you are prepared to speak effectively. We don't just write letters; we script your success and rehearse your defense.
Should I “tell my side” to clear this up quickly?
Not until you understand the policy, the allegations, and the evidence. The process can feel informal, but your statements are treated as evidence.
What if there’s a no-contact directive?
Follow it strictly. Even accidental contact can become a separate allegation.
Book an Appointment
We are here to advocate for your rights, protect your future, and provide the legal support you need.
