Michael W. Prairie

AREA OF PRACTICE
More than 20 years representing both public and private schools and colleges in connection with a wide variety of issues including accreditation and licensure, faculty and staff relations, compliance with state and federal statutes, governance, risk management and student relations. While focusing on prevention including the preparation and review of policies, legal audits and counseling, Mr. Prairie also defends lawsuits and administrative charges. In addition, Mr. Prairie represents both large and small employers and represents clients in real property transactions including purchase and sale agreements, leases and construction contracts and disputes. Mr. Prairie is a regular panelist and lecturer in his areas of practice and writes on a diverse group of topics for journals and other publications. He is editor of The Higher Education Law Bulletin.

EDUCATION
University of California, Davis, J.D., May 1977.

LECTURES
ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation in California, sponsored by Lorman Education Services (San Diego, May 2001, February 2002)

School Law Issues in California sponsored by the National Business Institute (Anaheim, July 2000, San Diego, December 2001, Anaheim, March 2002)

School Law in California sponsored by National Business Institute (San Diego, May 1999, Anaheim, November 1999; Anaheim, July 2000, Anaheim, October 2001)

Accreditation Workshop sponsored by The California Association of Private Post-Secondary Schools (August, 2000)

California Real Estate Titles and Title Insurance sponsored by Half Moon LLC (San Diego, September 2000)

California’s Hot Topics in School Law sponsored by Lorman Education Services (San Diego, May 1996, October 1997, April 1999, September 2000)

Seven Critical Steps to School Success sponsored by The California Association of Private Post-Secondary Schools (Palm Springs, September 2000)

Effective Human Resources Management sponsored by Lorman Education Services (March, 2000)

Taking Effective Depositions in California sponsored by Lorman Education Services (San Diego, 1990, 1992, 1998, 1999)

CAPPS 1997 Annual Convention sponsored by The California Association of Private Post-Secondary Schools (Rancho Mirage, September 1997)

NACUA 37th Annual Conference sponsored by National Association of College and University Attorneys (Seattle, June 1997)

Conference on Law, Education & Public Policy sponsored by National University’s Center for Law, Education and Public Policy (San Diego, February 1997)

CAPPS 1996 Annual Convention sponsored by The California Association of Private Post-secondary Schools (Long Beach, October 1996)

Conference on Law, Education & Public Policy, Legal Challenges Facing Education in the 90's sponsored by National
University’s Center for Law, Education and Public Policy (San Diego, January 1996)

URMIA 25th Annual Conference sponsored by University Risk Management and Insurance Association (San Diego, September 1994)

Assessing and Managing Risk in Higher Education: Workshop sponsored by College and University Law Press (1994)

Developing Your Basic Trial Skills sponsored by California Continuing Education of the Bar, (1991)

Purchase and Sale Agree-ments sponsored by California Continu-ing Education of the Bar, (1985 and 1990)

PUBLICATIONS
"The Perils of Investigations - Part I," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume VIII, No. 2 (Summer 2000);

"Questions to Ask When Purchasing Wrongful Acts Insurance Policies," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume VII, No. 3 (Fall 1998);

"Workplace Sexual Harassment: Time to Revise Policies," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume VII, No. 2 (Summer 1998);

"Foreign Study Programs: Assessing and Managing the Unforeseen Risks," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume VI, No. 4 (Winter 1997);

"Understanding Insurance Coverage: What Your Agent Forgot to Tell You!," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume V, No. 2 (Summer 1996);

"Ethics and Fund Raising: Six Steps you Can Take to Protect Donor Privacy," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume V, No. 2 (Summer 1996);

"Endowment Investing: Minimizing the Risks While Increasing the Return," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume V, No. 1 (Spring 1996);

"The Internet Classroom: It’s Time to Identify the Tough Questions," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume IV, No. 4 (Winter 1995);

"Getting More for Less: How to Work with your College Counsel," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume IV, Number 1 (Spring 1995);

"Due Process in the Accreditation Context," Journal of College and University Law, Volume 21, Number 1 (Summer 1994) with Chamberlain, Lori A.;

"Access for the Disabled Student: How Effective is your Compliance Program?" Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume III, Number 2 (Summer 1994) with Aguilar, Patricia;

"Focused Legal Audit: The First Step in an Effective Preventative Law Program," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume III, Number 2 (Summer 1994) with Chamberlain, Lori A.;

"Mandatory Disclosures to Students: Is your Institution in Compliance?" Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume III, Number 1 (Spring 1994) with Chamberlain, Lori A.;

"Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Faster and More Cost-Effective Way of Resolving Many Campus Disputes," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume II, Number 4 (Winter 1993);

"Practical Problems Facing Colleges in Accommodating the Disabled," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume II, Number 3 (Fall 1993);

"Ten Practical Steps your College can take to Prevent or Win Lawsuits," Higher Education Law Bulletin, Volume II, Number 2 (Summer 1993);

"Problem Areas in the Exemption Process under the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978," 29 Kansas Law Review, 369 (1981) with Beckman, Bruce A.;

"A Guide to Obtaining Required Regulatory Approvals for New Industrial Facilities in California," 17 San Diego Law Review, 979 (1980) with Beckman, Bruce A.;

"Products Liability Law in California," Los Angeles Lawyer, Volume I, Number 8 (October 1978);

"The Best Evidence Rule: A Critical Appraisal of the Law in California," University of California, Davis, Law Review, Volume IX (1976);

"Who Pays to Repair California's Mining Scars?," California Journal, Vole IV, Number 11 (November 1974);

"The Energy Crisis in California - An Overview," Staff Report, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildlife (January 1974).

MEMBERSHIPS AND DESIGNATIONS
National Association of College and University Attorneys

United Educators Risk Retention Group, Select Counsel (1995 - 1998)

Western Association of College Officers (WACO)

Rated "a v" by Martindale-Hubbell, Inc.

California Bar Association

American Bar Association

San Diego County Bar Association

MILITARY

CIVIC
Member of the Committee on Arrangements for the NACUA Annual Conference (2000-2001)

Chair, Committee to Fund the Jerry C. Lee Chair for Technology and the Adult Learner in the School of Education and Human Services, National University (1995-Present)

Program Committee for the 1997 Annual Conference for the National Association of College and University Attorneys

Regional Board, Class of 1985, San Diego Region of the National Con-ference of Chris-tians and Jews.

Member of the Board of Visitors National University School of Law (1995)

Member of the Board of Directors Malashock Dance Company (1998-1999)

Coach, Mission Bay Little League and Girls Softball