Alice W. Yao

Alice Yao is a Partner in the firm’s Education Practice, bringing over twenty years of experience in complex litigation and policy, with a particular focus on civil rights enforcement at both the Department of Justice and the Department of Education. She offers strategic legal and policy guidance to educational institutions and social impact organizations, helping them fulfill their legal responsibilities and serve their communities. Alice’s practice includes providing legal advice, training, conducting compliance reviews and investigations, and advising on risk assessment and liability.

Renowned for her deep knowledge of federal civil rights laws and her extensive government and litigation background, Alice is uniquely positioned to advise clients on matters at the intersection of litigation, policy, and enforcement. She has a nuanced understanding of civil rights enforcement and is adept at helping clients advance their missions while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Her expertise covers a broad range of education-related civil rights laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Higher Education Act, as well as issues involving parental rights, privacy, and the First Amendment. Alice’s career encompasses high-impact government enforcement, policy development, and litigation across federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private practice.

Prior to joining Potomac Law Group, Alice served in the Department of Justice’s Disability Rights Section, where she led investigations, negotiated settlements, and represented the United States in litigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. She served as a Supervisory Attorney in the Program Legal Group at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, where she played a pivotal role in regulatory and policy initiatives implementing Title IX and supported enforcement efforts across the agency. Her work also extended to policy work and enforcement of other key civil rights statutes.

Earlier in her career, Alice focused on consumer protection for student loan borrowers, developing policy and leading litigation under the Higher Education Act. As Senior Counsel at the National Student Legal Defense Network, she represented borrowers in litigation involving student loan fraud and institutional misconduct. She also practiced at two national litigation firms, handling a wide range of civil and criminal matters.

A former law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Alice is recognized for her strategic insight, mastery of administrative and civil rights law, and her ability to guide clients through complex legal challenges.

Representative Experience

• Represented the United States in litigation enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Investigated claims of disability discrimination by state and local governments and private entities.
• Advised educational institutions and state education agencies on compliance with Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504.
• Conducted comprehensive legal and policy analysis on education civil rights issues and briefed Department of Education leadership.
• Collaborated with the Department of Justice to represent the Department of Education in federal litigation involving education civil rights.
• Developed and contributed to amicus briefs and statements of interest submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate and district courts in landmark education and civil rights cases.
• Represented student borrowers in consumer protection litigation against educational institutions.