Online Legal Summit Series: A Deep Dive Into Pay Equity in Pennsylvania
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A Deep Dive Into Pay Equity in Pennsylvania
presented by Susan Guerette, Partner, Fisher Phillips LLC
According to research, fair and equitable pay within schools can provide added value in a number of areas, including job satisfaction and engagement. However, despite advances, the salary gap between men and women and based upon race and ethnicity persists.
In this seminar, we will review the growing issues around pay equity and how variations in compensation can affect morale as well as legal exposure. At a time when employee hiring and retention have been challenging and schools have had to adjust pay to attract and retain talent, we will review how to manage the potential disparities that may be cropping up among your employees.
We will take a closer look at the pay equity laws in Pennsylvania and how schools can audit their pay practices to stay in compliance, including case studies of particular issues and how they may be assessed based on the particular job classifications and circumstances.
About the Presenter: Susan Guerette

Susan Guerette, a partner in the Philadelphia office, represents management in labor and employment matters, including discrimination claims and employee defection disputes. She specializes in litigating cases involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, fiduciary duty, and related issues stemming from employee transitions between competitors.
Susan has litigated more than 400 employee defection and recruitment matters in over 30 different states, as well as numerous arbitration actions before arbitration panels (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Susan has extensive experience across industries such as securities brokerage, healthcare, tech, food manufacturing, and staffing.
A member of the firm’s Education Practice Group, Susan advises private schools on employee, student, and board matters. She also counsels employers on compliance, immigration, and employment policies, drafting severance and compensation agreements, and developing programs to minimize risks from employee movement.
Susan is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2011, and was included in International Employment Lawyers’ inaugural “Women Leaders” list in 2022.
Monday, September 29, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Student Voices, Legal Choices: School Leadership’s Guide to Speech Issues
Presented by: Saul Ewing
- Patrick Nugent, Partner, K-12 Schools
- Kendra Philips, Business Development Manager
- James Taylor, Partner
Campuses of all shapes and sizes are navigating the complex issues and competing interests surrounding student activism and political speech. Understanding the legal frameworks that govern these issues is critical to developing strategies that best align with your communities’ values. This session will walk through these frameworks and offer practical commentary to help campus leaders navigate these issues.
About the Presenter: Patrick Nugent

Pat Nugent advises and defends K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and businesses across industries. He provides strategic counsel on compliance, policy, and liability matters, and develops litigation strategies tailored to protect clients’ institutional interests and advance their goals. His experience spans contractual, tort, statutory, and constitutional issues.
Pat also maintains a national appellate practice, representing clients in defending important judgments or challenging erroneous trial court and administrative decisions.
With deep experience in the education sector, Pat helps institutions navigate complex regulations while staying true to their missions. He regularly advises on admissions, athletics compliance, student mental health, and Title IX and VI issues. He has represented schools in student conduct litigation, appeals involving due process and anti-discrimination claims, and academic dismissal cases involving breach of contract and statutory claims.
Monday, October 20, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Safeguarding Students from AI Deepfake Sexual Abuse
Presented by Justin Perillo, General Counsel, NAIS
In an era where artificial intelligence can generate increasingly convincing “deepfakes,” independent schools must be equipped to address the rising threat of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) targeting students. Join us for this informative webinar as we explore the legal, ethical, and practical challenges posed by deepfake sexual abuse in school environments. We will delve into key topics such as:
- The scope and impact of deepfake technology and NCII in schools
- Legal provisions and protections under the TAKE IT DOWN Act
- How schools can establish effective policies and incident response plans
- Strategies for supporting students, families, and staff
- Best practices for collaborating with technology platforms and law enforcement
This webinar is designed to equip your school community with the knowledge and tools to protect student well-being in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
About the Presenter: Justin Perillo

Justin Perillo has served as General Counsel at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) since February 2025.
Prior to joining NAIS, Justin was Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Marymount University beginning in October 2022. With more than 20 years of experience in education law, he acted as a key advisor on policies and strategies that supported the University’s mission. In this role, Justin provided legal counsel to the President, the Board of Trustees, and the administration, ensuring that Marymount navigated legal challenges with a strategic and collaborative approach.
Before his tenure at Marymount, Justin spent 19 years at American University, serving in various capacities, including Associate General Counsel. His expertise spans a wide range of education law issues, including intellectual property, commercial and transactional law, athletics, information systems, student affairs, and scientific research. He also played a critical role in advancing strategic initiatives, such as transforming Title IX and Freedom of Expression policies and expanding the University’s trademark portfolio.
Justin earned both his J.D. and bachelor’s degrees from American University.
Monday, November 18, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Conducting an Effective Investigation
presented by Susan Guerette, Partner, Fisher Phillips LLC
Schools frequently receive complaints from employees about various issues. How they respond to those complaints can affect the good will of their employees as well as their potential legal liability. This session will discuss how to conduct an effective investigation that will hold up in court as well as on campus.
Participants will learn the pitfalls associated with investigations, such as what to do with anonymous complaints, how to investigate issues relating to online activities and what to do if your employee shows up with their lawyer. Through case studies and interactive discussion we will review the challenges that can arise and how to deal with them effectively.
About the Presenter: Susan Guerette

Susan Guerette, a partner in the Philadelphia office, represents management in labor and employment matters, including discrimination claims and employee defection disputes. She specializes in litigating cases involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, fiduciary duty, and related issues stemming from employee transitions between competitors.
Susan has litigated more than 400 employee defection and recruitment matters in over 30 different states, as well as numerous arbitration actions before arbitration panels (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Susan has extensive experience across industries such as securities brokerage, healthcare, tech, food manufacturing, and staffing.
A member of the firm’s Education Practice Group, Susan advises private schools on employee, student, and board matters. She also counsels employers on compliance, immigration, and employment policies, drafting severance and compensation agreements, and developing programs to minimize risks from employee movement.
Susan is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2011, and was included in International Employment Lawyers’ inaugural “Women Leaders” list in 2022.
Webinar information coming soon.
Webinar information coming soon.
Registration Options
Registration Options
|
Price |
---|---|
ADVIS Member School
|
$550.00 |
Member: Register Additional Attendees
→Enter the number of tickets matching the number of people attending from your school. |
FREE |
Non-Member School
Check our list of ADVIS Member Schools. |
$700.00 |
Non- Member: Register Additional Attendees
→Enter the number of tickets matching the number of people attending from your school. |
FREE |
HOW IT WORKS
PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW
- Only ONE person per school needs to register ONE time for the entire Legal Summit Series.
- At the time of registration, you MUST enter in the names and emails of the other people from your school who will be attending the series.
- To do this, select both the "Member" and "Register Your Attendees" tickets. There are additional instructions on the registration page.
- If you do not do this, no one other than you will be able to access the Legal Series.
ACT 48 CREDITS
• You may request credit up to 7 days after the event.
• Per the PA Department of Education,
ADVIS is required to report your successful completion of Act 48 evaluation within 30 days of the event.
• Contact Candyce Wilson for more information.
ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Please feel free to request an accommodation on the registration form. For inquiries about accessibility, please contact Membership and Outreach Manager Candyce Wilson. At least two weeks' advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.
EVENT CONTACT
Dena Torino, Director of Programming
No refunds will be provided for the Legal Summit Series.