Source: https://www.rathjewoodward.com/attorneys/therese-king-nohos/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 02:17:31+00:00

Document:
Therese brings extensive regulatory compliance and litigation experience to the firm, particularly in the field of higher education. Before joining the firm, Therese served as assistant general counsel to one of the largest providers of higher and professional education in North America. Her experience working alongside administrators and faculty informs the approach she takes to counseling clients today, where she strives to balance practicality, institutional culture, and risk management while achieving compliance.
As assistant general counsel, Therese advised on a variety of enforcement and litigation matters, including civil suits regarding the False Claims Act, consumer fraud, accommodations, civil rights, Title IX and challenged student dismissals.
responding to U.S. Department of Justice investigations into allegations of False Claims Act violations where the DOJ declined to intervene in pending civil suits.
She also advised on routine matters institutions face, such as federal, state and accreditation requirements, affiliation and other types of agreements, student and faculty policies, student complaint and grievance proceedings, and regulatory and accreditor disclosure requirements. She worked side-by-side with administrators to evaluate the feasibility of new educational models and to enhance existing processes, such as contract review, to reduce unnecessary risk.
as court-appointed counsel, successfully appealed the wrongful denial of social security benefits and, upon remand, first-chaired administrative hearing to establish right to benefits.
She also continues to represent clients dealing with significant litigation matters.
Advertising Investigations and Litigations. Managed response to massive, two-year long investigation by Federal Trade Commission into university advertising and disclosure practices, including the production of millions of documents. Defended related federal court litigation alleging false advertising, resulting in settlement for approximate cost defense for anticipated lengthy litigation. Federal Trade Commission v. DeVry Education Group Inc., Case No. 2:16-cv-00579-MWF-SS (C.D. Cal.). Defended U.S. Department of Education administrative action based on similar allegations and negotiated settlement including a provisional program participation agreement, and similar investigation by New York Attorney General.
Extraterritorial Reach of U.S. Disabilities Laws. Obtained summary judgment and affirmance on appeal to the Third Circuit on issue of first impression regarding applicability of U.S. accommodations laws to foreign universities eligible for U.S. federal financial aid programs. Archut v. Ross University School of Medicine, 580 Fed. Appx. 90 (3rd Cir. 2014).
Defeated Executive Compensation Challenge. Obtained early dismissal of two shareholder derivative actions alleging that compensation awarded to chief executive officer violated shareholder plan and, therefore, constituted a breach of the Board of Trustee’s fiduciary duty. Secured affirmance of both judgments on appeal. Pfeiffer v. Begley, 2015 IL App. (2d) 140271 (2015); Donnawell v. Hamburger 803 F.3d 912 (7th Cir. 2015).
Early Dismissal of Securities Fraud Claims. Won dismissal of federal securities law claims brought on behalf of putative class of investors alleging millions in damages. In addition to getting all claims tossed, we succeeded in obtaining a rare finding that opponents had filed a frivolous complaint and would need to show cause why they should not be liable for client’s legal fees. Boca Raton Firefighters & Police Pension Fund v. DeVry Inc., 2014 WL 1847833 (N.D. Ill. May 8, 2014). Similarly, obtained an early dismissal in another shareholder strike suit for Walgreens. Teamsters Affiliates Pension Fund v. Walgreen Co, 2010 WL 3894149 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 29, 2011).
Defeated Fiduciary Duty Claims against Venture Capitalist. Defended breach of fiduciary claims brought by founder of internet startup against investor whose investment diluted founder’s ownership. After successfully securing dismissal of federal court suit based on arbitration agreement, settled arbitration on eve of trial with plaintiff dropping its demand for $40 million in damages and abandoning all claims.
“Busted Merger” Litigation. Represented retailer who entered into a deal involving a $1.6 billion acquisition of a competitor shortly before the Great Recession of 2008. The case involved a three-way litigation where the competitor sought to enforce the merger agreement despite the material adverse change in market conditions and the lender sought to avoid its funding obligations. Case settled on the morning of trial on favorable terms permitting client to avoid the acquisition and maintain solvency.
ERISA Preliminary Injunction. Second-chaired preliminary injunction hearing on behalf of two pension funds against their investment manager challenging their investment decisions and seeking the return of trust funds. Action ultimately led to favorable settlement where investment manager agreed to return funds over time.

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