Edward Cramp

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Edward M. Cramp is the managing partner of the firm's San Diego office. Mr. Cramp is a higher education attorney who focuses on representing private postsecondary education institutions. He advises his clients in all areas of operations, including the application of state and federal laws, regulations and accreditation standards. He also represents and advises clients in civil rights matters, including defending against claims by students and employees in areas such as the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title IX of the Higher Education Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and analogous state laws. He advises clients on a range of business issues, such as mergers and acquisitions, licensing, trademark and copyright.

Mr. Cramp is active in the private postsecondary education community. He serves as general counsel to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, and the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. He regularly speaks on a wide range of issues pertaining to the sector.

Mr. Cramp served on active duty and in the reserves as a judge advocate in the United States Navy, where he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his time in the services, he defended numerous matters before courts-martial convened in the United States Armed Forces. He also represented the interests of the United States in actions involving claims brought against and on behalf of the Navy.

Mr. Cramp is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and LGBTQ rights.  He serves on the steering committee of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion program.  He regularly represents members of the LGBTQ community in civil rights matters on a pro bono basis and is active in the local LGBTQ community. 

Mr. Cramp has served as an advisor to and a member of the board of directors of the San Diego Association of Business Trial Lawyers. Admitted to practice in California and Illinois, Mr. Cramp is a graduate, with honors, of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law and a graduate of the University of California, Riverside.

Areas of Practice

  • Higher Education
  • Business Litigation

Representative Matters

  • Represented a large California college before the Commission on Dental Auxiliaries (COMDA) and the California Dental Board. Before the college engaged Duane Morris, COMDA recommended revocation of its approval of the college's Dental Assistant Program. Duane Morris successfully convinced the Dental Board to return the matter to COMDA with a recommendation to reinvestigate the matter. A favorable outcome was achieved culminating with COMDA approving the Dental Assistant Program.
  • Defended a nationally-accredited college in an alleged sexual harassment and retaliation claim by a student. The student dismissed her claims during the arbitration hearing following an aggressive investigation and cross-examination.
  • Defended a California private post-secondary school in an investigation by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). They investigated an instructor's claim of sexual harassment and retaliation. Counseled client through the process of terminating the manager who engaged in the alleged harassing conduct. Convinced the DFEH to make a finding of no actionable harassment or retaliation.
  • Represented a Texas educational institution in an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. The OCR investigated a claim of disability discrimination and failure to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Counseled client to ensure compliance with federal law. The OCR subsequently dismissed the claim.
  • Represented a large Ohio cosmetology school in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor concerning the exempt status of its instructors. The Department's investigator initially concluded the instructors were entitled to overtime pay. The matter resulted in finding that the instructors were exempt from overtime.
  • Defended a California technical college against a fraud and wage and hour claim by a disgruntled employee. Successfully defeated the employee's attempt to bring a class action and enforced an arbitration provision. The arbitrator rendered a decision for the school.

Admissions

  • California
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • Supreme Court of California
  • Supreme Court of Illinois

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., with honors, 1996
  • University of California, Riverside, B.A. Economics, B.A. Political Science, 1993

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2007-present
    - Associate, 2003-2006
  • Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP, San Diego, California
    - Associate, 2001-2003
  • United States Navy, Judge Advocate General's Corps, San Diego, California
    - Trial Attorney, Judge Advocate, 1996-2000

Professional Activities

  • General Counsel, American Association of Cosmetology Schools
  • General Counsel, California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools
  • General Counsel, Beauty Changes Lives Foundation
  • Federal Club Member, Human Rights Campaign
  • Member, Tom Homman LGBT Law Association

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Coach, Presidio Little League