Biography
Cheryl Stanton brings extensive experience advising higher education and financial institutions which is complemented by a deep background in complex commercial litigation. As a member of the firm’s Higher Education Team, she focuses her practice representing colleges and universities with an emphasis in the Midwest.
Cheryl previously served as general counsel and corporate secretary for two affiliated private liberal arts colleges in Minnesota. In that role she advised the president, senior leadership, and boards of trustees on a wide range of legal matters, including governance, employment, Title IX, contract negotiation, student conduct, regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation, and faculty affairs.
Her prior roles as general counsel, corporate secretary, and director at a national bank further broaden her legal experience, particularly in governance and enterprise-wide legal strategy. Cheryl’s litigation background enables her to proactively assess and mitigate risk across institutional operations, with a focus on delivering practical, value-driven counsel.
Outside of her legal practice, Cheryl is an avid motorcycle rider, and a member, and former director of Street Legal Motorcycle Club, whose members are judges, lawyers, and legal professionals.
Representative Experience
- Advised closely related private and religiously affiliated college and university on forming a unique corporate governance model, including overseeing integration under a single president while maintaining two separate boards of trustees. Led implementation of two-board structure; prepared all corporate documents, charters, and policies; created and led new board orientation, evaluation, and engagement programs; performed all corporate secretary duties
- Counseled president, board of trustees and leadership team of college and university on all aspects of law, including, among others, regulatory guidance, faculty matters, accreditation, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, FERPA, litigation, and contract negotiation
- Directed and conducted complex investigations involving students, employees, faculty and Title IX matters for higher education institutions
- Advised higher education institutions on Title IX program structure and staffing, policy development, and compliance. Provided strategic guidance on complex investigations, determination letters and resolution processes
- Served as General Counsel for a national bank and holding company, leading governance reforms including restructuring board committees, updating charters and policies, and enhancing board independence. Improved proxy materials and successfully engaged shareholders to counter activist proxy fights. Oversaw all enterprise-wide legal matters
- Represented bank board and executive management during a Department of Justice investigation into a $28 million fraud scheme; collaborated with DOJ to unwind the complex lapping scheme perpetrated by a third-party mortgage company
- Represented bank in multi-million dollar lawsuit against insurers for bad faith coverage denial achieving a favorable settlement
Education
- J.D. Hamline University School of Law
- B.S. University of Minnesota
Memberships
- National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
- Street Legal Motorcycle Club
Publications
- Contributing Author, “Franchise Desk Book, Selected State Laws, Commentary and Annotations,” American Bar Association (2001)
- Contributing Author, “The Franchise and Dealership Termination Desk Book,” American Bar Association (2004)
Press Release