Title IX Defense Attorney Serving Students, Faculty and Coaches Across the Midwest
A Title IX accusation can change your life in a single phone call. Suspension. Expulsion. Loss of tenure. The end of a coaching career. These consequences are real, they happen fast, and the process is built in ways that often feel one-sided.
At The Wieczorek Law Firm, Title IX defense attorney Mark Wieczorek defends students, professors, and coaches facing Title IX investigations and hearings at colleges and universities across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and the surrounding region. A former prosecuting attorney with nearly two decades of experience, Mark knows how these cases are built because he spent years on the other side of the table.
You are not just a case file. You are someone whose future, career, and reputation deserve a real defense.
Call (513) 540-0450 – Free Consultation
What Is Title IX and Why Should You Take It Seriously?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination at any educational institution that receives federal funding. While it was originally designed to ensure equal opportunity, Title IX proceedings today most commonly involve allegations of:
- Sexual assault or rape
- Sexual harassment
- Dating or domestic violence
- Stalking
- Gender-based discrimination
These cases are handled through your school’s internal disciplinary process, not a criminal court. But the consequences can be just as severe. A finding of responsibility can lead to suspension, expulsion, termination of employment, loss of tenure, a permanent mark on your academic or professional record, and reputational damage that follows you for years.
Schools are under enormous institutional pressure to investigate and adjudicate aggressively. The process moves fast, the timelines are compressed, and the university’s interests do not always align with yours. You need an experienced attorney, not a campus advisor, from day one.
Who We Represent
Title IX allegations do not discriminate by role or rank. Anyone affiliated with a college or university can find themselves under investigation. We represent:
Students accused of sexual misconduct, harassment, assault, or other Title IX violations. A finding of responsibility can mean expulsion, a permanent record notation, and in serious cases, a referral to law enforcement.
Graduate students and doctoral candidates whose research, funding, and academic trajectory are at stake.
Student-athletes facing allegations that threaten their eligibility, scholarships, and professional prospects.
Faculty members and tenured professors accused of misconduct involving students or colleagues. For a professor who has spent decades building a career, the stakes are existential: loss of tenure, loss of pension, and the possibility of never working in academia again.
Coaches and athletic staff confronting investigations that put their careers and reputations at risk. Athletics are public. Allegations rarely stay private.
University staff and administrators caught up in Title IX proceedings.
Parents calling on behalf of a son or daughter who just received notice of an investigation. We hear from parents every day, and we will walk you through every step.
Proven Title IX Case Results
We measure our success by one standard: the outcome we achieve for our clients.
University of Dayton: Professor Accused of Inappropriate Sexual Contact
Result: Case Dismissed. Full Tenure and Pension Retained.
A tenured professor faced accusations that threatened his career, his pension, and decades of professional work. Mark Wieczorek identified inconsistencies in the complainant’s account, procedural irregularities in the investigation, and evidentiary gaps that the university’s own process failed to address. The case was dismissed entirely. Our client continues to teach today.
University of Cincinnati: Student Accused of Rape and Sexual Assault
Result: Case Dismissed Prior to Hearing.
A UC student faced allegations serious enough to result in immediate expulsion. Mark was retained early, before the investigation had fully taken shape. By challenging the reliability of witness accounts and identifying procedural deficiencies, Mark demonstrated that the allegations lacked the evidentiary support necessary to proceed. The case was dismissed before a full hearing.
University of Cincinnati: Student Accused of Rape and Sexual Assault
Result: Not Responsible After Full Hearing.
In a separate matter, a second UC student faced rape and sexual assault allegations that went to a full disciplinary hearing. Mark prepared an exhaustive defense, identified inconsistencies across multiple interviews, and presented a clear, evidence-based narrative to the hearing panel. The student was found not responsible.
University of Kentucky: Student Accused of Sexual Harassment
Result: Not Responsible After Full Hearing.
A UK student faced sexual harassment allegations that put his academic career in jeopardy. Mark prepared a defense tailored to the University of Kentucky’s specific procedural rules and institutional culture. The student was found not responsible.
Why Mark Wieczorek Is Different
Most Title IX defense attorneys come from a civil or administrative law background. Mark Wieczorek is a former prosecuting attorney.
That distinction matters. Mark spent years building cases against the accused. He knows how investigators gather evidence, how institutions apply pressure, and where procedural protections exist that schools routinely fail to honor. He uses that knowledge to take cases apart.
Former Prosecuting Attorney. Nearly two decades of courtroom and hearing room experience across prosecutorial, criminal defense, and Title IX platforms. Hundreds of sex crime-related cases handled.
Trained Law Enforcement on Sexual Assault Investigations. Mark has trained police officers on how to investigate sexual assault cases. Few Title IX attorneys in the region can make that claim. He understands the investigative methodologies, the standards that should be applied, and the errors that commonly occur.
Legal Resource for Ennis Britton. Mark has served as a legal resource for Ennis Britton, one of Ohio’s most respected education law firms. He understands how educational institutions build and apply Title IX processes from the inside.
ATIXA-Informed Practice. Mark stays current with evolving Title IX regulations, including the frameworks established by the Association for Title IX Administrators and the ongoing regulatory shifts between the 2020 and 2024 rules.
Member, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL). The skills, ethics, and advocacy standards of elite criminal defense practice are exactly what Title IX respondents need.
Local Institutional Knowledge. National Title IX firms fly in from New York or Washington and learn your school’s process the week of your hearing. Mark already knows it. He has defended clients at universities throughout the Midwest. He understands how each institution’s Title IX office operates, how their hearing panels are structured, and where their processes create openings for the defense. That knowledge is not something you can learn from a website. It comes from doing the work.
How We Defend You
From the moment you retain us, we go to work. Our representation includes:
- Immediate consultation to assess the allegations and advise on your rights
- Investigation guidance. What to say, what not to say, and how to preserve evidence
- Review and challenge of investigative reports before they are finalized
- Full hearing preparation. Witness strategy, cross-examination planning, and written submissions
- Appeals of adverse findings
- Coordination with criminal defense counsel when parallel criminal proceedings are involved
You get direct access to Mark Wieczorek throughout the entire process. Not a paralegal. Not a junior associate. Your attorney.
Call (513) 540-0450 – Speak With Mark Directly
Flat-Fee Representation. No Surprises.
We are a flat-fee firm. You pay one clearly defined fee for your Title IX representation, and that number does not change as the case develops.
No hourly billing. No surprise invoices. No watching the clock every time you pick up the phone to call your attorney.
When you are fighting for your academic career, your professional reputation, and your future, your legal bill should not be another source of stress.
The Criminal and Civil Exposure Nobody Talks About
A Title IX proceeding does not exist in a vacuum.
Many universities have formal agreements with local law enforcement that create pathways for Title IX investigators to share information with police. A finding of responsibility in a university hearing can be used to justify a criminal investigation. Evidence gathered during the university process can end up in law enforcement hands. Statements you make during a Title IX investigation, even ones that seem harmless, can later surface in a criminal prosecution.
Beyond criminal exposure, every respondent faces potential civil liability. A complainant who receives a favorable finding is in a stronger position to pursue a civil lawsuit for monetary damages.
Mark Wieczorek understands all of this. Our representation accounts for the full scope of your legal exposure from day one. Where necessary, we coordinate with criminal defense counsel to protect your rights across every front.
Universities We Serve
Our Title IX defense practice covers every college and university within a six-hour drive of Cincinnati, Ohio. We will travel to where you are.
Ohio: University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Ohio State University, Miami University, Ohio University, Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Wright State University, Xavier University, John Carroll University, and more.
Kentucky: University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, Bellarmine University, and more.
Indiana: Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, Butler University, Ball State University, Valparaiso University, DePauw University, and more.
Michigan: University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Detroit Mercy, and more.
West Virginia: West Virginia University, Marshall University, and regional campuses.
Tennessee: University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Tennessee Tech, and institutions in the eastern and middle parts of the state.
Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and western Pennsylvania campuses.
Illinois: Southern Illinois University and downstate Illinois institutions.
If your school is not listed, contact us anyway. If it falls within our service region, we want to hear from you.
A Note About Testimonials
We take our clients’ privacy seriously. Title IX cases involve some of the most sensitive circumstances imaginable. For that reason, we do not publish client testimonials related to Title IX matters.
What we do publish are results. Because results speak for themselves.
If you want to learn more about Mark’s experience and approach, schedule a free consultation. There is no better way to evaluate whether he is the right attorney for your situation than a direct conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Title IX Defense
Can a lawyer help in a Title IX hearing?
Yes. Title IX hearings are adversarial proceedings where evidence is presented, witnesses are questioned, and decisions are made that can end academic careers. An experienced Title IX attorney prepares your defense strategy, advises you on what to say and what not to say during the investigation, prepares written submissions, and handles cross-examination of witnesses at the hearing itself. Schools allow respondents to have an advisor of their choosing, and that advisor can be an attorney. The difference between walking into a hearing with a campus-assigned advisor and walking in with a former prosecutor who has handled hundreds of sex crime-related cases is significant.
How much does a Title IX attorney cost?
At The Wieczorek Law Firm, we charge a flat fee for Title IX representation. That means one clearly defined number that does not change as your case develops. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Many firms bill hourly for Title IX work, which makes it impossible to predict your total cost. We believe that when your future is on the line, your legal bill should not be another source of stress. Call (513) 540-0450 for a free consultation and we will discuss your situation directly.
What happens if I am found responsible in a Title IX hearing?
The consequences depend on your role and your school’s policies. Students may face suspension, expulsion, transcript notations, loss of campus housing, and restrictions on re-enrollment. Faculty and staff may face termination, loss of tenure, loss of pension benefits, and a finding that makes it extremely difficult to secure employment at another institution. In some cases, a Title IX finding can also strengthen a complainant’s position in a civil lawsuit or trigger a referral to law enforcement. This is why early, experienced legal representation matters.
Can Title IX charges become criminal charges?
They can. Many universities have formal or informal agreements with local law enforcement. Information gathered during a Title IX investigation, including your own statements, can be shared with police. A finding of responsibility can be used to support a criminal investigation. Mark Wieczorek handles both Title IX defense and criminal defense, which means he accounts for your full legal exposure from the start. When parallel criminal proceedings are involved, he coordinates across both fronts to protect your rights.
Do I need a local attorney or can I hire someone out of state?
You can hire an attorney from anywhere, but there are real advantages to working with someone who knows the institutions in your region. Mark Wieczorek has defended clients at universities throughout the Midwest. He knows how each school’s Title IX office operates, how their hearing panels function, and where their processes create opportunities for the defense. A firm flying in from New York or Washington learns your school’s process the week of your hearing. Mark already knows it.
What should I do if I just received notice of a Title IX investigation?
Do not attend any meetings without legal counsel. Do not send emails or messages trying to explain your side of the story. Do not contact the complainant. Everything you say and write from this point forward can be used in the investigation. The single most important step you can take right now is to call an experienced Title IX attorney before you do anything else. Call (513) 540-0450 for a free, confidential consultation.
Time Matters. Do Not Wait.
Title IX investigations move quickly. Schools begin gathering statements and building a record before you have even thought about hiring an attorney. Early mistakes, things like attending a meeting without counsel, sending an email trying to explain yourself, or giving a statement without preparation, can be difficult or impossible to undo.
The sooner you have experienced counsel working for you, the better your chances.
