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John R. Przypyszny

Partner

Overview

John Przypyszny leads the firm’s education team. He is a preeminent legal authority on higher education law and a trusted advisor to clients on matters pertaining to accreditation, regulatory compliance, policy and transactions related to higher education. With almost three decades of experience, John counsels institutions, education companies and accrediting agencies. He frequently speaks on education law issues, and co-authored a compendium on distance education for the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Higher Education Regulation

John has extensive experience counseling clients on matters involving the U.S. Department of Education, state agencies, accrediting bodies and other government regulators. He also advises higher education institutions on student affairs matters, admissions, and federal and state requirements, as well as the statutory and regulatory requirements of federal student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

Accreditation

One of the country’s foremost legal authorities on higher education accreditation, John has counseled more than a dozen accrediting agencies. He advises on U.S. Department of Education recognition proceedings, accreditation decision making, and the development and application of accrediting standards. John also has served as a site visitor for the American Bar Association and has participated in accreditation reviews of law schools for nearly 20 years.

Corporate Transactions

At the forefront of education industry developments, John also has extensive experience executing transactions on behalf of higher education institutions, education companies, private investors and lenders to the education sector. He provides advice to educational institutions and organizations on issues relating to corporate governance and organization.

Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action
Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action

Related Legal Services

Credentials

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Illinois

Education

Georgetown University Law Center
J.D. cum laude (1990)

Georgetown University
A.B. with honors (1987)

Insights & Events

Latest
Updates February 2025

Impact of Recent Executive Orders Regarding DEI and Affirmative Action in Higher Education

Executive Order Aims to End DEI at Higher Education Institutions and Enforce Greater Compliance With Students for Fair Admissions Ruling
6 min read  
Media Mentions October 2024

John Przypyszny Comments on Federal Dismissal of Florida Higher Education Case in University World News

1 min read  
Speaking Engagement Recap October 09, 2024

The Changing Landscape for DEI and Accreditation - Atlanta, GA

2024 ASAHP Annual Conference
1 min read  
News August 2024

Faegre Drinker Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

20 min read  
Recorded Webinar July 17, 2024 CLE

SFFA v. UNC/Harvard: Taking Stock One Year Later - Webinar

Session 2: Updates on the Legal Landscape — Education
2 min read  
Media Mentions January 2024

John Przypyszny Discusses Higher Education Act With University World News

1 min read  
Updates January 2024

U.S. Department of Education Publishes Guidance on Permissible Strategies to Increase Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education

7 min read  
News September 2023

John Przypyszny Receives ASPA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Accreditation

1 min read  
Speaking Engagement Recap September 12, 2022

Appeals Process — A Legal Perspective - Washington, DC

Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors’ Fall Conference
1 min read  
Event Recap February 01, 2020

Faegre Drinker Presents at Stetson University’s 41st Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education

1 min read  
Insights
Updates February 2025

Impact of Recent Executive Orders Regarding DEI and Affirmative Action in Higher Education

Executive Order Aims to End DEI at Higher Education Institutions and Enforce Greater Compliance With Students for Fair Admissions Ruling
6 min read  
Media Mentions October 2024

John Przypyszny Comments on Federal Dismissal of Florida Higher Education Case in University World News

1 min read  
Media Mentions January 2024

John Przypyszny Discusses Higher Education Act With University World News

1 min read  
Updates January 2024

U.S. Department of Education Publishes Guidance on Permissible Strategies to Increase Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education

7 min read  
Media Mentions October 2023

John Przypyszny Comments on Grand Canyon University Statement Against Federal Agencies in Inside Higher Ed

1 min read  
Updates August 2023

Complying with Students for Fair Admissions: Initial Responses by Institutions and Agencies

10 min read  
Updates August 2023

Complying with Students for Fair Admissions: U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Issue Joint Guidance for Institutions

7 min read  
Updates August 2023

Life After Students for Fair Admissions: Dissecting Challenges to Employers’ Diversity Programs

7 min read  
Updates July 2023

Next Stage Considerations About the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision: How to Put the Warning Letter from the State Attorneys General in Context

3 min read  
Media Mentions July 2023

John Przypyszny Comments on Florida HEA Lawsuit With University World News

2 min read  
Other Perspectives
  • Dissecting challenges to employers’ diversity programs
    Indiana Employment Law Letter, September 1, 2023
    Great Lakes Employment Law Letter, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2023

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless — Volunteer

Professional Associations

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys — Associate Individual Member
  • American Bar Association — Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Accreditation Site Visitor

Civic Activities

  • Georgetown University — Georgetown College Board of Advisors, 2020-present
  • Georgetown University — Parent Advisory Council of the McDonough School of Business, 2018-2020

Firm Leadership

  • Leader, Education Practice Team 
  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Chair, Education Team, 2003-2020; Vice-Chair, Government and Regulatory Affairs Practice Group, 2012-18; Allocations Committee, 2014-16

Honors

  • Best Lawyers®Education Law, 2013-25 (Lawyer of the Year, 2021)
  • Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors — Award for Distinguished Contributions to Accreditation, 2023
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.