Classical Christian schools rightly focus on academic and programmatic excellence. But institutional excellence must likewise be a priority for a school to flourish. Operating a classical Christian school is full of legal risk. A legal audit focuses on legal compliance and best practices. A school that takes the time to assess its compliance with applicable law may prevent a potentially costly, even catastrophic crisis from arising. Legal audits require solid legal counsel. It should be a collaborative and thorough review of the school’s policies and practices and should be designed to detect areas of risk and exposure, as well as to provide the school with important information about its legal obligations and best practices. Areas often covered in a legal audit include corporate governance, federal tax-exemption compliance, contracts and leases, human resources, fundraising, intellectual property, document retention and destruction, insurance, religious liberty and state and local law requirements. This session will help you understand the questions to ask and the documents to review to promote your school’s institutional flourishing.
Andrew D. Graham
Andrew D. Graham, Esq. is Deputy General Counsel at First Liberty Institute, the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. He is a former Partner at Jackson Walker LLP and has extensive experience in handling complex litigation in trial and appellate courts. He is also a National Review Institute (NRI) Regional Fellow and coordinates the NRI’s Dallas Fellowship Program. Andrew graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Southern Methodist University, where he had the distinct privilege to study the Middle Ages with Dr. Jeremy duQuesnay Adams and Dr. Bonnie Wheeler. He then earned graduate degrees in history from Oxford University and the University of Chicago before earning a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law. Andrew is married to his college sweetheart, Molly, who teaches 4th Grade at The Covenant School in Dallas, Texas. Andrew serves as pro bono counsel to both The Covenant School and to Annapolis Christian Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas. For both, he provides an array of legal expertise on issues ranging from corporate governance to religious liberty. Andrew and Molly have three children, all of whom attend The Covenant School. Andrew and his family are members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA).
