2024-10-31T14:19:45-05:00 2023-12-31 621046406 JOHNSON HICKEY & MURCHISON PC 2215 OLAN MILLS DRIVE CHATTANOOGA TN 37421 990 2023-01-01 823474942 NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK NATI 2027347495 1701 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 AARON AMENT PRESIDENT 2027347495 2024-10-31 1 1 SCOTT MILLER P01246247 4237560052 2024-10-31 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z AARON AMENT 1701 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 3109584 0 X WWW.DEFENDSTUDENTS.ORG X 2017 DC WORKING TO ADVANCE STUDENTS RIGHTS TO EDUCATION. 5 5 8 0 0 0 1292503 2998675 328000 49334 0 43773 13195 17802 1633698 3109584 0 0 0 0 1371259 1367761 0 0 32039 451157 515647 1822416 1883408 -188718 1226176 885190 2205762 34545 127357 850645 2078405 X THE NATIONAL STUDENT LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZED TO ADVANCE STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTING STUDENT' ECONOMIC MOBILITY BY USING IMPACT LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM PREDATORY LENDING AND ABUSIVE PRACTICES. OUR FOCUS SPANS THE ENTIRE STUDENT LIFECYCLE,FROM RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS' BASIC NEEDS TO EDUCATIONAL QUALITY TO COMPLETE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT. 0 0 1691327 67136 STUDENT DEFENSE WORKS TO ADVANCE STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND ENSURE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDES A LAUNCHING POINT FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY. WE USE LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED BY PREDATORY COLLEGES, LOAN SERVICERS, AND OTHERS. OUR TEAM WORKS TO ENHANCE OVERSIGHT BY STATE AGENCIES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITORS AND TO HOLD ENTITIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, FOR OVERSIGHT FAILURES, AND FOR ROLLBACKS OF POLICIES DESIGNED TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS. WE ALSO WORK TO ENSURE THAT STRONG CONSUMERS PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENTS AND THAT STUDENTS AND BORROWERS ARE ABLE TO ACCESS BENEFITS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING. WE WORK TO ENHANCE OVERSIGHT, AND INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, OF STATE AGENCIES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITORS.PURSUANT TO REV PROC. 92-59, 1992-C C.B.411, THE ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDING A LIST OF CASES LITIGATED DURING 2023.DURING 2023, THE ORGANIZATION LITIGATED SEVEN LAWSUITS AGAINST THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PURSAUNT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT ("FOIA"), 5 U.S.C. 552, ET SEQ., COVERING THIRTY-FOUR REQUESTS SUBMITTED UNDER FOIA. AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE, THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS A "FEE WAIVER" FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH EACH REQUEST, ESTABLISHING THAT THE REQUESTED DISCLOSURE UNDER FOIA IS "IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST." SEE 5 U.S.C. 552(A)(4)(A)(III). THE ORGANIZATION HAS NEVER BEEN REQUIRED TO PAY FEES IN CONNECTION WITH ANY REQUEST. DURING 2023, THE ORGANIZATION LITIGATED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL MATTERS, THE SELECTION OF WHICH WAS NOT MADE WITH A CONSIDERATION OF THE EXPECTATION OR POSSIBILITY OF A FEE AWARD. (1) BALTEZAR V. CARDONA & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (U.S. DISTRICT COURT, N.D. CAL.). THIS IS A CHALLENGE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S 2019 REPEAL OF THE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT RULE, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM CAREER-ORIENTED HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDED LIMITED VALUE COMENSURATE TO STUDENT DEBT BURDENS INCURRED. (2) DUNAGAN V. ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF ART (U.S. DISTRICT COURT, N.D. ILL.). THIS IS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION AGAINST AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT MISLED STUDENTS ABOUT ITS STATUS AS AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION. THE SUIT SEEKS TO HOLD RESPONSIBLE BOTH THE INSTITUTION AND THE OWNERS AND EXECUTIVES WHO PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN THE DECEPTION. THIS IS PART THE ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUAL WRONGDOERS ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR PREDATORY CONDUCT BY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.(3) DIGITAL MEDIA SOLUTIONS LLC V. SOUTH UNIVERSITY OF OHIO ET AL. (U.S. DISTRICT COURT, N.D. OHIO). THIS IS A FEDERAL COURT RECIEVERSHIP PROCEEDING INVOLVING CERTAIN OF THE DEFENDANTS IN THE DUNAGAN MATTER DESCRIBED ABOVE. IN 2022, STUDENT DEFENSE REPRESENTED STUDENTS TO PRESERVE THEIR RIGHTS, AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHER STUDENTS, AGAINST RECIEVERSHIP ENTITIES. (4) DETMER ET AL. V. LA'JAMES COLLEGE OF HAIRSTYLING, INC. ET AL (IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR POLK COUNTY). THIS IS A CERTIFIED CLASS ACTION AGAINST AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT DELAYED DISBURSEMENT OF STUDENT CREDIT BALANCES, IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL REGULATION AND STATE LAW. (5) CARROLL ET AL. V. WALDEN UNIVERSITY ET AL (U.S. DISTRICT COURT, D. MARYLAND). THIS IS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF TITLE IV OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT, AND STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS. IN ADDITION TO REDRESSING WRONGDOING, THE CASE SEEKS TO AFFIRM THE USE OF CORE CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES IN THE CONTEXT OF FEDERAL STUDENT LENDING.(6) ARBITRATIONS AGAINST LAMBDA, INC. D/B/A/ LAMBDA SCHOOL OR BLOOM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTED FIVE INDIVIDUALS SEPARATELY PURSUING ARBITRATIONS AGAINST THE LAMBDA SCHOOL FOR MISREPRESENTATIONS REGARDING STUDENT OUTCOMES. THE CASES NOT ONLY SOUGHT REDRESS FOR THE CLIENT, BUT ALSO SOUGHT TO HIGHLIGHT PROBLEMS WITH REGULATIONS REGARDING UNACCREDITED "BOOT CAMPS," THE USE OF "INCOME SHARE AGREEMENTS" TO FINANCE HIGHER EDUCATION. SEPARATELY, IN BRUNER V BLOOM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FORMERLY D/B/A LAMBDA SCHOOL) AND AUTSTEN ALLRED, ET AL., THE ORGANIZATION LITIGATED A CLAIM AGAINST LAMBDA FOR SIMILAR MISCONDUCT. LIKEWISE, IN FULLER ET AL. V. BLOOM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FORMERLY D/B/A LAMBDA SCHOOL) AND AUSTEN ALLRED, ET AL., THE ORGANIZATION LITIGATED A SIMILAR CLAIM AS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION AND TESTED THE EXTENT OF THE MANDATORY ARBITRATION CLAUSE THAT APPEARED IN THE "INCOME SHARE AGREEMENT." (7) DUNN ET AL. V. CARDONA & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (D. MASS). THIS LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN APRIL 2022 TO CHALLENGE, UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S UNREASONABLE DELAY IN FAILING TO ADJUDICATE A 2016 GROUP APPLICATION FOR STUDENT LOAN DISCHARGES SUBMITTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS ON BEHALF OF A CLASS OF FORMER STUDENTS AT KAPLAN CAREER INSTITUTE IN MASSACHUSETTS. IN AUGUST 2022, THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD GRANTED THE APPLICATION. (8) HEMPHILL ET AL. V. CARDONA & U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (D.D.C.) THIS LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN MAY 2022 TO CHALLENGE, UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S UNREASONABLE DELAY IN FAILING TO ADJUDICATE A 2016 GROUP APPLICATION FOR STUDENT LOAN DISCHARGES SUBMITTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ILLINOIS ON BEHALF OF A CLASS OF FORMER STUDENTS AT WESTWOOD COLLEGE IN ILLINOIS. IN AUGUST 2022, THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD BE PROVIDING $1.5 BILLION IN STUDENT LOAN DISCHARGES TO 79,000 BORROWERS WHO ATTENDED WESTWOOD COLLEGE BETWEEN JANUARY 2002 AND ITS CLOSURE IN 2016. (9) FAVELL ET AL. V. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. (SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY). THIS IS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION FOR DEFRAUDING STUDENTS BY USING MISLEADING COLLEGE RANKINGS REGARDING THE ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION. IN ADDITION TO REDRESSING WRONGDOING, THE CASE SEEKS TO HIGHLIGHT THE PERNICIOUS EFFECTS AND ILLEGALITY OF "REVENUE SHARE" AGREEMENTS BETWEEN COLLEGES AND THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES THAT PROVIDE BOTH RECRUITING AND ONLINE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES. (10) IN RE DODSON (U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT, W.D. WASHINGTON). THIS IS AN ADVERSARY PROCEEDING AGAINST THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SEEKING THE DISCHARGE OF MS. DODSON'S STUDENT LOANS. THE CASE IS AMONG THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO TEST THE EFFICACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S 2022 GUIDANCE REGARDING THE DISCHARGE OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS IN BANKRUPTCY. (11) NATALIA ORTIZ V. SABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & R3 EDUCATION, INC. (D. MASS). THIS WAS FILED AS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW WITH RESPECT TO MARKETING AND ADVERTISING BY SABA UNIVERSITY. IN ADDITION TO REDRESSING WRONGDOING, THE CASE SEEKS TO HIGHLIGHT HOW INSTITUTIONS CAN MANIPULATE ADVERTISEMENTS OF STUDENT OUTCOMES THROUGH DECEPTIVE USE OF STATISTICAL REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING SUCCESS ON LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS.(12) ELVA LOPEZ V. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SIMPLILEARN AMERICAS, INC (SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO). THIS WAS FILED AS A PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF CALIFORNIA LAW WITH RESPECT TO THE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING OF A SHORT-TERM BOOTCAMP BY THE DEFENDANTS. IN ADDITION TO REDRESSING WRONGDOING, THE CASE SEEKS TO HIGHLIGHT HOW CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS CONTRACT WITH THIRD-PARTIES TO DESIGN AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, WITHOUT ADEQUATELY DISCLOSING TO STUDENTS THE FACTS SURROUNDING THE PROGRAMS.SHOULD THE ORGANIZATION RECOVER ATTORNEYS FEES, SUCH FEES WILL BE PAID TO THE ORGANIZATION AND NOT TO INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS WHOSE COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO FEES RECEIVED IN CONNECTION WITH CASES HANDLED. 1691327 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 0 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 AL AK CA FL GA HI IL KS KY MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WV WI X THE ORGANIZATION 2027347495 1701 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 JACEK PRUSKI CHAIRMAN 0.90 X X 0 0 0 SABA BIREDA SECRETARY 0.90 X X 0 0 0 JOHN ROBINSON TREASURER 0.90 X X 0 0 0 MOHAMED ABDEL KADER DIRECTOR 0.90 X 0 0 0 JOY SILVERN DIRECTOR 0.90 X 0 0 0 AARON AMENT PRESIDENT 40.00 X 245492 0 36262 DANIEL ZIBEL CHIEF COUNSEL 40.00 X 245492 0 36031 ALEX ELSON SENIOR COUNSEL 40.00 X 191852 0 25782 ERIC ROTHSCHILD LITIGATION DIRECTOR 40.00 X 207665 0 25309 890501 0 123384 4 0 1 0 BE CLEAR 2255 SHERIDAN BOULEVARD UNIT C 106 EDGEWATER CO 80214 CONSULTING 101000 1 171000 2827675 2998675 OTHER PROFESSIONAL SER 541100 49334 49334 49334 43773 43773 OTHER 541900 17802 17802 17802 3109584 67136 0 43773 X 563277 504038 46772 12467 618191 553177 51332 13682 13501 11838 1304 359 93383 85240 6459 1684 79409 71826 6001 1582 6625 6625 24600 24600 200894 185868 15026 2930 2694 188 48 595 547 38 10 11227 10324 719 184 37621 34592 2412 617 44828 41219 2874 735 17598 16181 1129 288 DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS 63984 63984 LITIGATION PREPARATION 56488 56488 IT CYBER SECURITY 13408 12329 859 220 FILING FEES 11098 11098 23751 23259 329 163 1883408 1691327 160042 32039 693688 530515 171415 720730 3195 20463 16892 16245 917809 885190 2205762 34545 127357 34545 127357 X 850645 1278121 0 800284 850645 2078405 885190 2205762 1226176 1584 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2848825 1130115 1916460 1292503 2827675 10015578 2848825 1130115 1916460 1292503 2827675 10015578 6127923 3887655 4190 43773 47963 10063541 457586 0.38630 0.40070 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 MERRILL LYNCH MONEY MARKET 917809 F 917809 X 3111168 1584 1584 3109584 0 3109584 1883408 0 1883408 0 1883408 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE IN ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. UNDER THIS GUIDANCE, AN ORGANIZATION MUST RECOGNIZE THE TAX BENEFIT FROM AN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION ONLY IF IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT THE TAX POSITION WILL BE SUSTAINED ON EXAMINATION WITH TAXING AUTHORITIES. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND, ACCORDINGLY, IT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY LIABILITY FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,2023, THERE WERE NO INTEREST OR PENALTIES RECORDED. THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990, RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX, IS SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE IRS, GENERALLY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER IT IS FILED. X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 AARON AMENT PRESIDENT 223600 0 21892 0 0 0 6707 0 29555 0 281754 0 0 0 DANIEL ZIBEL CHIEF COUNSEL 223600 0 21892 0 0 0 6707 0 29324 0 281523 0 0 0 ERIC ROTHSCHILD LITIGATION DIRECTOR 180200 0 27465 0 0 0 5405 0 19904 0 232974 0 0 0 ALEX ELSON SENIOR COUNSEL 174900 0 16952 0 0 0 5246 0 20536 0 217634 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS THE TAX RETURN BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES HAVE THE DUTY TO DISCLOSE AN ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THIS IS PRESENTED TO THE DIRECTORS AMD MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES CONSIDERING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT. AFTER DISCLOSURE OF THE FINANCIAL INTEREST AND ALL MATERIAL FACTS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED AND AFTER ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE INTERESTED PERSON, HE OR SHE MUST LEAVE THE BOARD MEETING OR COMMITTEE MEETING WHILE THE DETERMINATION OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS DISCUSSED AND VOTED UPON. THE REMAINING BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS MUST DECIDE IF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. IF THE BOARD BELIEVES A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER FAILED TO DISCLOSE ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, THEY WILL INFORM THE PERSON AND AFFORD THE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE ALLEGED FAILURE TO DISCLOSE. THE BOARD MAY TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND CORRECTIVE ACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 ALL OFFICER SALARIES ARE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY THE BOARD (OR AUTHORIZED BOARD COMMITTEE)WHICH REVIEW AND APPROVE THE COMPENSATION, INCLUDING BENEFITS, OF THE PRESIDENT UPON THE HIRING OF THE OFFICER,WHENEVER THE OFFICER'S TERM OF EMPLOYMENT IS RENEWED OR EXTENDED AND WHENEVER THE OFFICER'S COMPENSATION IS MODIFIED (UNLESS THE MODIFICATION EXTENDS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ALL EMPLOYEES). FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G COMMUNICATIONS AND CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 185,868. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 6,000. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 191,868. BENEFITS MANAGEMENT: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 9,026. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 9,026.