Sherry Culves has more than 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to both large and small employers as well as educational institutions, from public and private colleges and universities to one of the nation’s top 25 largest K-12 school districts.
Sherry counsels her employment and education clients on a range of issues, from compliance with federal and state law to developing trainings, policies, and procedures that meet the unique needs and mission of the organization.
In her employment work, Sherry has built her practice on addressing some of the most pressing and complex needs of companies, including fair dismissal, employment disciplinary actions, and discrimination claims. She counsels on legal, regulatory, and policy compliance, including developing or overhauling policy and procedural manuals. She regularly provides training that fits her clients’ cultures and missions and applies her intimate knowledge of employment law to train every level of worker, from front-line workers to mid-level supervisors to C-suite executives.
Sherry also has substantial experience in employment litigation and advises employers on best practices on complying with and administering various state and federal laws. She has defended clients against all types of federal discrimination claims, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges, Department of Justice and Department of Labor investigations, and whistleblower complaints. She understands the unique employment issues that employers encounter.
She has also built a practice in executive compensation, negotiating on behalf of top executives as well as C-suite executives, college presidents and K-12 superintendents. She has conducted compensation studies, negotiated initial contracts and exit packages, and releases.
For her education practice, Sherry serves as both outside general counsel and in areas of unique needs for educational entities, including charter schools and vendors. She has counseled clients on the Higher Education Act (including Title IV financial aid issues), Title IX (sex discrimination and harassment), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other laws and regulations impacting education. She regularly defends Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights investigations.
She has extensive depth in the area of disability law, including helping K-12 and higher education clients navigate both student and employee discrimination and accommodation claims based on disabilities.
Sherry is a nationally recognized speaker in the area of education, employment, and disability law and regularly presents to groups supporting schools and colleges on both a state and national level.