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Meet Our Professionals

Kelley H. Pearson

Counsel
Atlanta | 678.690.5737
Fax | 404.869.6972

Kelley Pearson believes in the fundamental value of education in our society and has dedicated her career to supporting schools and colleges in their missions. With a background working for K-12 and higher educational institutions, Kelley brings a unique perspective and in-depth understanding of the field to her practice. Kelley is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Wyoming, and she serves leaders at K-12 schools and independent and public colleges and universities throughout both states.

Kelley is well-versed in K-12 board governance, policy development, Title IX compliance, student discipline, employment disputes, transactional review, and litigation, including over equitable funding. Kelley also has substantial experience representing post-secondary institutions, serving as outside general counsel and providing specific guidance on employment, Title IX, Title IV financial aid, data privacy and security, and board governance. She has further served as a board advisor and hearing officer at post-secondary institutions in Wyoming.

In addition, Kelley has built a practice in energy law. She advises on state and local regulatory permitting for renewable energy companies seeking to develop wind farms and other projects in Wyoming. She also represents large industrial consumers, municipal utilities, and telecommunications companies before the Wyoming Public Service Commission.

Kelley has served as an adjunct professor of legal writing at the University of Wyoming College of Law, her alma mater. She spent 15 years working in the education industry before entering law school, including starting her career as a paraprofessional providing instructional support at a Title I school.

Representative Experience

Education

  • Drafted policies, conducted trainings, investigated complaints, served as decision-maker, defended and oversaw compliance related to Title IX.
  • Counseled on student discipline related to bullying, cyberbullying, behavior problems, social media posts, and other issues.
  • Advised on and defended employment-related issues.
  • Advised higher education institution on Title IV and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act compliance.
  • Drafted and implemented data privacy/security policies and regulations for higher education institution.
  • Advised boards on governance and policy.
  • Provided guidance related to special education and disability matters, including early learning initiatives, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individualized education program (IEP) disputes and due process hearings, and other student litigation.
  • Served as general counsel advising on constitutional law (school finance, First Amendment, due process, parental rights, and non-discrimination).
  • Provided training for districts, boards, and education organizations, primarily on Title IX, board governance, and school finance.
  • Prosecuted and defended against education-related litigation, including representing eight school districts as plaintiffs in litigation against a state to ensure adequate and equitable funding for all that state's students.
  • Represented 21 school districts in working with a state's executive and legislative branches to resolve school finance issues.
  • Negotiated third-party vendor contracts for school districts and post-secondary institutions.

Energy

  • Advised on state and local regulatory permitting for renewable energy companies seeking to develop wind projects in Wyoming.
    • Won a case before the state Supreme Court involving local zoning and permitting, enabling a developer to proceed on schedule with its wind project. 
  • Advised in the development and siting of wind energy projects.
  • Represented regulated electric utility companies, telecommunications companies, and a municipal electricity provider.

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Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Construction Law, Education Law, 2024-2025
  • Order of the Coif, University of Wyoming College of Law, 2007
  • Leadership Wyoming, Class of 2010

Memberships

  • Wyoming State Bar Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Section, Leadership Council, 2023-present
  • National School Boards Association, Council of School Attorneys, 2016-present
  • High Country Behavioral Health, Board of Directors, 2023-present