Strategic Advisor for Students Facing Title IX Allegations
Title IX allegations on college campuses are serious. Whether you are accused of sexual misconduct, harassment, or dating violence, your academic future may be at risk. Schools in Tennessee can move quickly in these cases, and students may be left trying to defend themselves in high-stakes hearings with little guidance. Many students and families begin their search for help by looking for a Tennessee Title IX lawyer, but it also helps to find a Title IX advisor that understands both federal policy and campus procedure.
Megan Ballard Mitchell is an experienced criminal defense attorney who advises students throughout the Title IX process. She brings over a decade of litigation experience and has advised on matters involving the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which enforces Title IX nationwide. Her approach is rooted in both legal strategy and practical experience, helping students prepare thoroughly and present their side clearly and effectively.
Now serving students in Tennessee with a local office in Nashville
315 Deaderic Street, Suite 1550
Nashville, TN 37238
Title IX Defense Grounded in Criminal Defense Strategy
Megan Ballard Mitchell is an attorney with extensive experience advising students involved in Title IX investigations. Having worked directly for the U.S. Department of Education’s OCR, she gained firsthand knowledge of how federal guidelines shape campus policies and enforcement. Combined with her background as a criminal defense attorney, Megan understands that while school hearings are not courts of law and must be approached differently, it is still crucial to develop and present a strong legal theory of the case. Her balanced approach is both legally informed and strategically focused on protecting students’ futures.
Megan’s background as a criminal defense attorney gives her clients a unique advantage in campus disciplinary cases. Unlike many advisors who take a passive or procedural approach, she treats every Title IX case with seriousness and precision. She is trained to identify weak points in allegations, build a clear narrative, and help clients avoid the damaging mistakes that often come from confusion or panic.
Throughout her career, she has handled sensitive and high-risk cases involving false allegations, unclear consent, and due process violations. That experience allows her to quickly assess the risks in a Title IX case and develop a plan to help students protect their education and future.
Experience with Federal Oversight and OCR Compliance
In addition to direct work with students, Megan has experience navigating the standards and expectations of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX nationwide. She understands how schools are expected to comply with OCR guidance, and how that pressure can shape how institutions handle investigations and hearings.
This insight enables her to advise students not only on their rights within the school's system, but also on how those rights fit into broader federal regulations. When a school acts in a way that seems unfair, Megan helps students frame their responses with an eye toward OCR’s expectations and standards.
Megan is well-versed in:
- Interpreting institutional policy within federal Title IX frameworks
- Recognizing when a school's procedures fall out of compliance with OCR guidance
- Helping students preserve records and communications in anticipation of further legal action or complaints
- Supporting students during complex or escalating cases, including those involving potential OCR complaints
Serving Students at Colleges and Universities Seeking an Tennessee Title IX Lawyer
Megan Mitchell advises students attending colleges and universities throughout Tennessee, including:
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Martin
- Vanderbilt University
- Belmont University
- Middle Tennessee State University
- University of Memphis
- East Tennessee State University
- Rhodes College
- Lipscomb University
- Sewanee: The University of the South
- And other public and private institutions across the state
She advises students remotely across Tennessee and nationwide.
Strategic Advisory Services for the Entire Title IX Process
As an advisor, Megan is involved from beginning to end. Her services are focused and proactive. She helps students:
- Understand the allegations and prepare an appropriate response
- Draft statements and communications with strategic care
- Review and analyze evidence provided by the school or complainant
- Prepare for interviews, hearings, and cross-examination
- Attend every meeting, interview, and hearing in an advisory role
- Guide appeals and post-hearing strategy when needed
While she does not represent students in Tennessee courts, she brings legal knowledge and courtroom-level strategy to every campus case.
Help for Parents and Families
Families often feel blindsided when their student is accused of a Title IX violation. The school may provide limited information, timelines are tight, and decisions can feel one-sided. With permission from the student, Megan works with parents and guardians to keep them informed and involved, without compromising the student’s independence.
Her goal is to create a clear plan and keep everyone grounded throughout what is often a chaotic and emotional process. Parents appreciate her steady communication and the depth of experience she brings to what is often the most stressful time of a student’s life.
The Right Advisor Can Make the Difference
Under federal Title IX regulations, every student involved in a disciplinary proceeding has the right to an advisor of their choice. This advisor can attend meetings, assist in preparing responses, and be present during the hearing itself. That advisor may be an attorney, even if they are not licensed in the state where the school is located.
Megan Ballard Mitchell brings the training of a litigator and the insight of a seasoned advisor to each student she serves. Her clients receive strategic guidance designed to protect their education, preserve their opportunities, and reduce the long-term impact of the allegations.
Contact the Law Offices of M. Ballard Mitchell
If you or your child is facing a Title IX investigation at a Tennessee college or university, don’t wait to act. Whether you decide to hire a Tennessee Title IX Lawyer or find a Title IX Advisor like Megan Ballard, the earlier you get experienced support, the stronger your position will be throughout the process.
Contact Megan Ballard Mitchell today or complete our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation.
