T. Joel Francis

Biography

Joel is a partner at BotkinRose PLC and a member of its Virginia Education Law Group℠. Joel’s education law experience includes representing multiple Virginia school boards, institutions of higher education, and serving as defense counsel for Virginia insurance risk pools. As a civil litigator, Joel has successfully defended the constitutional prerogatives of school boards in regard to many aspects of public education, including Title IX, student discipline, employment, and property interests. Joel regularly advises school boards, superintendents, and division leaders on matters involving constitutional considerations, contracts, school records (FOIA, FERPA, etc.), policy formation, and other matters that arise in the day-to-day business of public education. Outside of education law, Joel represents Virginia municipalities and maintains an active litigation practice that varies from real estate litigation, commercial litigation, and administrative law matters. Joel also represents a diverse array of clients in a general counsel capacity including local governments, homeowners associations, and local businesses. Outside of work, Joel is active in his neighborhood and community and otherwise enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, visiting his alma mater, Bridgewater College, or attending East Rockingham High School football games, where he formerly served as an assistant football coach.

Education

• Bridgewater College (B.A., 2013)
• Liberty University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2017)
• Symposium Editor, Liberty University Law Review
• Publications: A Journey Through the Briar Patch: The Legal Implications of the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Holding in Com. Ex Rel. Bowyer v. Sweet Briar Institute, 11 Liberty U. L. Rev. 111 (2016).

Bar Admissions

• Virginia

Professional Memberships

• Virginia Bar Association