Jeff understands the challenges universities face in the current environment and is a thoughtful and very effective strategist and litigator.
Jeff Metzler is a Litigation partner and co-leader of Pillsbury’s Education group, where he advises colleges, universities and other institutional clients on high-stakes civil rights defense, compliance strategy, investigations and complex litigation. He is nationally ranked by Chambers USA for higher education law and is recognized for his strategic judgment, practical risk mitigation and client-focused advocacy.
Jeff routinely represents institutions in Title IX, discrimination and governance disputes, and he brings deep experience in appellate advocacy and government investigations. He also counsels leadership on risk assessments, policy design and DEI-related compliance audits that help boards and senior administrators navigate evolving regulatory and legal landscapes.
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Prior to joining Pillsbury, Jeff was an Associate General Counsel at New York University, overseeing litigation, investigations and student affairs, and served in senior government roles, including Assistant Solicitor General for New York State and Acting General Counsel for the New York City Council. He clerked for the Hon. Diana Gribbon Motz on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and holds a JD from Yale, an MPA from Columbia and a BA from Brown.
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Education
J.D., Yale Law School, 2002
M.P.A., Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, 1999
Public Affairs Fellow
B.A., Brown University, 1995
Magna cum laude
Admissions
New York
Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Clerkships
Hon. Diana Gribbon Motz, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
