Offit Kurman

Commercial Litigation

Principal, Chair of the Title IX and Education Practice Group

Kimberly C. Lau is a principal and the chair of the Title IX and Education Practice Group. She focuses her practice on Title IX and all other disciplinary matters, academic issues, special education, defamation, First Amendment, due process and civil rights litigation. Kimberly has represented over 300 students and faculty of all genders, across the country in disciplinary proceedings at colleges and universities. Her cases involve a wide range of issues, including academic dishonesty, theft, harassment, sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. Kimberly's extensive experience encompasses state and federal litigation, as well as trials, arbitrations, mediations, and appeals in commercial litigation and Title IX and college disciplinary matters.

Accused students turn to Kimberly for her extensive experience in crafting strong defenses and safeguarding their due process rights. Similarly, complainants rely on her professional advocacy and guidance to navigate the disciplinary process while ensuring their rights are upheld and respected. Kimberly's approach is rooted in principles of fairness, accountability, and the unwavering protection of due process. She is committed to achieving transparent and equitable outcomes for all students she represents.

Kimberly is a vocal advocate for preserving the cornerstone principles of the American legal system. She firmly believes that presuming guilt before innocence undermines due process and tirelessly works to protect her clients' fundamental rights.

Over the years, Kimberly has achieved numerous successes both in and out of the courtroom. In 2021, Kimberly obtained a successful settlement for her client, including monetary damages and the award of his diploma, in a high-profile Title IX case against Columbia University following a favorable decision denying Columbia's motion to dismiss in the Southern District of New York.

In 2022, Kimberly achieved a landmark $5.3 million unanimous jury verdict for a former Clemson University student falsely accused of rape. She successfully pursued defamation and conspiracy claims against three individuals, securing one of the largest verdicts in the region for a private individual plaintiff. Her advocacy also resulted in a pivotal change to South Carolina's legal precedent. Kimberly obtained a writ to the Supreme Court of South Carolina, effectively ending the practice of allowing special referees without jurisdiction to decide discovery motions, further solidifying her impact on legal integrity.

Kimberly's exceptional experience in Title IX and college disciplinary matters has been featured on national platforms, including CNN, ABC's Nightline, and The Wall Street Journal. She has also been quoted in major media outlets such as Newsweek, Yahoo News, The New York Observer, and The Daily Beast.

Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.)

Syracuse University (B.A., summa cum laude)