Blain B. Butner Member

Washington, DC

Blain Butner joined Dow Lohnes in 1980 and became a Member in 1989. He is Co-Leader of the firm's Education Practice Group, and has a broad practice in the field of legal issues of higher education institutions. His primary area of specialty is federal grant programs, with a particular emphasis on the Title IV federal student financial assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. He regularly advises clients with respect to institutional eligibility matters, program review and audit resolutions, preventive legal strategies, transactional matters and many other aspects of complying with federal and other regulatory requirements.

Mr. Butner has handled Title IV and related regulatory matters for more than 200 institutions.  His clients include public and not-for-profit colleges and universities, proprietary career colleges, publicly traded school groups, education associations and investment firms.  He has also counseled numerous educational organizations as they convert to, and subsequently operate as, publicly traded companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. Butner has represented many colleges, universities and schools in matters before the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, accrediting bodies, student loan guaranty agencies, and other regulatory entities.  He has conducted confidential internal reviews and investigations involving a myriad of regulatory issues for many of his educational clients.

Prior to joining Dow Lohnes, Mr. Butner was on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. While at Dow Lohnes, he has conducted numerous training programs and seminars and written articles on student aid management and legal issues for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the College Board, and other national, regional and state higher education organizations and associations.

Memberships and Activities

National Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division, Federal Bar Association, 1984-87

Treasurer - Young Lawyers Division, Federal Bar Association, 1987

Member - National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)

Member - Federal Bar Association

Member - National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

Member - Phi Beta Kappa

Member - Omicron Delta Kappa

Managing Editor - Duke Law Journal

Recipient - B.S. Womble Scholar, Duke University School of Law

Recipient - Charles A. Dana Scholar, Davidson College

President, Student Government Association, Davidson College

Publications

Selected Speaking Engagements

News

August 5, 2008: Higher Education Act Reauthorization - Dow Lohnes Advisory regarding changes to the 90/10 Rule calculation methodology

bbutner@dowlohnes.com

Education

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions