Andrea L. Jolliffe

Andrea brings a unique perspective to her work on behalf of providers of aging services. While in law school, Andrea clerked with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights Special Litigation Section where she assisted in the investigation of allegations involving the use of chemical restraints in a skilled nursing facility. After graduating from law school, Andrea was awarded a public interest fellowship representing individuals with disabilities seeking Medicaid services in alternative, community-based settings during which time she gained extensive familiarity with the complex regulatory framework that governs public health services. As an Assistant Director for Legal Affairs at the University of Georgia, Andrea was responsible for providing legal counsel and policy guidance in connection with the management and operation of the University Health Center.

Andrea’s practice is now principally devoted to the representation of corporate clients in litigated matters, defending against claims of professional malpractice, negligence and resident’s rights violations arising out of the operation and management of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and personal care homes. Andrea has defended facilities in litigated cases involving allegations of understaffing, under budgeting and inadequate training/supervision, whether raised within the context of a wrongful death action or a wrongful discharge claim. Andrea’s thorough familiarity with the vast regulatory scheme applicable to nursing homes and assisted living communities enables her to develop a specialized and effective defense strategy for the firm’s clients.

Prior to joining HBS, Andrea was an Assistant Director for Legal Affairs at the University of Georgia where she provided legal counsel to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Office’s component departments, including the Disability Resource Center and University Health Center.  Since joining HBS Andrea has represented local boards of education and public school districts as outside general counsel and insurance defense counsel for more than a decade.  Andrea has defended educational institutions at both the trial and appellate level, in a variety of matters.   She is frequently retained to provide representation in connection with special education disputes, disability-related issues and the provision of school-based health services.  Andrea is also a Georgia Department of Education-approved governance training provider in the areas of Whole Board Governance, Ethics and Financial Governance.

Andrea’s education law practice focuses almost exclusively on special education matters.  She defends school district clients in connection with claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Andrea is a regular presenter on issues related to special education and disability-related issues, and regularly publishes resource materials for her school district clients.   She regularly provides advice and counsel to special education directors and other special education professionals on a variety of issues, involving legal compliance, procedural requirements, parent communication, programmatic issues, management of third-party providers and data collection/progress monitoring.

Andrea has represented local government entities, including counties and school districts in a variety of matters but concentrates her practice in the areas of employment, disability-based discrimination, the accessibility of public services and the provision of services to special populations.

Andrea has represented public and private entities in litigated cases involving discrimination and harassment, including claims brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. Andrea also provides advice and counsel to help clients avoid litigation through policy review, specialized training, and the provision of investigative services. Andrea has successfully defended claims of discrimination and harassment at both the trial and appellate level, and regularly assists clients in responding to EEOC and other administrative complaints involving issues of discrimination and harassment.

Andrea is frequently called upon to assist with employment-related disputes involving employees who self-identify as disabled, and in responding to the deficient performance of employees who are responsible for providing direct services to special populations. Andrea’s knowledge and familiarity with high-stakes issues related to the provision of aging and special education services has enabled her to successfully defend discipline decisions of schools and health care providers, in both administrative and judicial proceedings.