
Mark J. Oberstaedt
Partner
Overview
Representative Experience
News & Insights

01.30.2026
Your Campus Counsel
Can a University Outsource its Title IX Responsibilities?
A poster in a higher education forum on Reddit recently posed the question, “People who work in Title IX positions: do you like your jobs?” While a few respondents offered modestly positive feedback, the overwhelming majority were negative, describing the work as a “tough gig,” “extremely difficult,” “not rewarding at all,” and even stating that “there is NO happiness connected to any position with Title IX.”
Those responses reflect what many institutions already know: Title IX compliance is complex, resource-intensive, and often fraught with institutional risk. Which raises an important question for colleges and universities—can a higher education institution outsource its Title IX obligations?

11.14.2025
Your Campus Counsel
Mergers vs. Closures in Higher Ed: How Timing Can Make All the Difference
The landscape of higher education has shifted dramatically since March 2020. Over 80 public or nonprofit colleges have either closed, merged, or announced plans to do so. With rising costs and the looming demographic cliff driven by declining birth rates since the 2007 recession, it’s clear that many more institutions could follow suit.
While both mergers and closures are drastic moves, they are worlds apart. Mergers typically allow students to finish their degrees, protect institutional legacies, and save jobs for faculty and staff. Closures, on the other hand, can bring an abrupt end to an institution’s existence, negatively impacting students, alumni, and the surrounding community.
05.16.2024
Speaking Engagements & Seminars
Gianfranco Pietrafesa & Mark Oberstaedt to Speak on LLCs at NJ State Bar Association Annual Meeting
Partner Gianfranco Pietrafesa will be moderating his annual “What’s New with LLCs?” seminar at the New Jersey State Bar Association Annual Meeting. Gianfranco brings his extensive background on New Jersey LLC law to the panel having served on the select committee that drafted the New Jersey Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Joining him on the panel will be partner Mark Oberstaedt.