About Jackie Gharapour Wernz

A first-generation American on one side of her family tree and a descendant of some of the earliest European settlers in the colonies on the other, Jackie was attuned from an early age to the many constitutional and civil rights challenges schools, colleges, and universities face in educating students in an increasingly diverse world. Her unique perspective guides her empathetic and supportive approach to civil rights compliance.

For 17 years, Jackie has counseled, educated, and trained educational leaders on a wide range of legal issues. But Jackie is known best for her passion and skill in helping schools, colleges, and universities across the U.S. navigate complex and novel civil rights and constitutional issues, including those involving Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Section 504, the ADA, First Amendment speech and religion, and other civil rights and equity questions. From consulting and advising local counsel behind the scenes to conducting high-profile investigations and hearings to serving as an expert witness, she is practical, innovative, and responsive, focused on effectively resolving issues with a deep understanding of a client's culture and needs.

Jackie is a sought-after national speaker, media commentator, and expert witness on Title IX and other civil rights, constitutional, and equity questions. She has trained thousands of school, college, and university administrators and employees through engaging, customized training—both online and in-person—on regulatory and other legal compliance topics including sexual and racial discrimination and harassment, disability accommodations, student and employee speech rights, student data privacy, and DEI initiatives. 

Jackie blends over a decade of experience as outside counsel to educational institutions and as an in-house civil rights administrator with her service as a civil rights attorney with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights during the Obama and Trump administrations. Her clients benefit from the deep familiarity with the law, nuance in practice, and understanding of agency priorities and processes that come with government experience. But they also know she thoroughly understands the practical realities of educational operations from working as a member of educational institutions' internal and external teams.

Jackie attended the University of Virginia School of Law. She was a recipient of the Dillard Scholarship, the Law School’s premier full merit scholarship, and a member of the editorial board for the Virginia Law Review. Jackie is a summa cum laude graduate of the Donaghey Scholars honors program at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. She attended college on a full merit scholarship, triple-majored in English Literature, History, and French, and studied abroad in France.

Jackie is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois and Texas and is pending admission in the state of Idaho. She lives in Dallas with her husband, children, and vizsla dog.

Clients rave about Jackie!  As one K-12 Human Resources Director & Title IX Coordinator explained:

“I have learned so much from Jackie. I really appreciate her perspective. Especially because she understands the K12 environment and has a really common-sense approach to implementing the complicated and cumbersome Title IX and related regulations – which to a layperson is so helpful.”

A Director of Institutional Equity at a national university similarly described:

“Our institution relies on Jackie for her expertise because she sees and understands the big picture when it comes to risk in higher education law and she takes the time to understand the implications of issues for us on a local basis. Additionally, whether she is acting as ... an external investigator or as a hearing decision-maker for us, she is always thoughtful and treats everyone involved with the utmost respect and professionalism.”

Ready to get civil rights right, the first time? Contact Jackie today to learn more about how she can help your institution achieve its goals. Email Jackie at jackie@educationcivilrights.com or use the contact form on this website.