Philip Catanzano

Philip Catanzano is a Lecturer on Education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education (HGSE), combining his expertise in higher education law with teaching and legal practice. He specializes in federal non-discrimination law, disability law, gender equity in athletics, and sexual misconduct policies. As an attorney, he advises institutions on compliance with federal regulations, conducts investigations into discrimination cases, and provides expert testimony in legal proceedings.

His professional experience spans over 15 years, including nearly a decade at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights before transitioning to private practice in 2015. He teaches courses such as Higher Education and the Law at HGSE and has developed specialized programs for accessibility services and legal professionals. His legal practice focuses on athletic equity reviews, campus climate assessments, and disability-based discrimination cases.

Catanzano is a frequent speaker on federal non-discrimination law and has published articles in peer-reviewed journals like the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Boston Bar Journal. He is currently developing a legal primer curriculum for K-12 educators and student services professionals.

His advisory work includes policy development, training, and institutional reviews to ensure compliance with federal laws. He has served as an expert witness in court cases involving education law and continues to engage in advocacy for equitable educational practices.