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Satawa Law, PLLC. recently has won another Title IX hearing, as the office for title 9 and institutional equity at University in Western Michigan “unanimously determined that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the responded engaged in sexual assault or sexual harassment.”Read More
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Facing a Title IX investigation or hearing in college can be overwhelming, especially when the stakes are high and the process is unfamiliar. If you’re a student (or the parent of one), understanding what to expect is a key part of effective Title IX hearing preparation in Michigan. In this article, we’ll address…
During a Title IX investigation, there are two different stages of the process: the Title IX interview and the Title IX hearing. It’s important to understand the difference between the two, because the people involved and what’s at stake vary significantly.
Once you receive a Notice of Allegations, the first major step is the interview with the Title IX investigator. At this point, it’s imperative for you to bring in a Title IX attorney who can act as your advisor.
That advisor is allowed to attend the interview, which is usually conducted via Zoom. The conversation will cover your background, your relationship with the complainant (if any), and your account of the events in question. Preparation here is key, and having an experienced advisor can make a significant difference.
The hearing comes later after the investigation is concluded. At that point, the investigator will have interviewed both parties, as well as any additional witnesses. In addition, the investigator will have reviewed relevant evidence things like text messages, screenshots, or phone records and put together a formal report. Both sides get a short window to respond or raise objections to that report before it’s finalized. Unless the case is completely baseless, a hearing is almost always scheduled.
Hearings in 2025 are still almost held over Zoom, in part to avoid forcing you and the complainant to be in the same physical space. The hearing itself is run by a Title IX decision-maker, which is sometimes a single person, and other times a panel of three. Either way, one person leads the proceedings, while the others help evaluate the case. Both you and the complainant will attend (via zoom) with your respective advisors, and any relevant witnesses may be called to testify.
Mark Satawa, a seasoned Michigan criminal defense attorney and founder of Satawa Law, PLLC, has spent years guiding college students, particularly those facing high-stakes Title IX accusations, through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. With firsthand experience advising students during intense school interviews and hearings, Mark Satawa understands the legal, emotional, and academic pressures involved. He’s helped numerous young adults avoid devastating outcomes by preparing them to present their stories clearly and confidently.
If you or your child is facing a Title IX investigation, don’t face it alone. Contact Satawa Law, PLLC today for experienced guidance.
The investigative interview serves to gather background and build a timeline. You can expect questions such as:
Know that the investigator is unlikely to accept your answers at face value. Their job is to challenge and probe the respondent’s credibility and consistency. Be prepared to support your statements with evidence, remain calm under pressure, and clarify your answers without becoming defensive.
A Title IX defense attorney plays a critical role throughout both the investigation and the hearing process, though the nature of their involvement shifts depending on the stage.
From the beginning, an attorney will act as an advisor, helping you gather and organize any evidence that supports your version of events. That might include texts, emails, social media posts, photos, or anything else that can be used to defend against the allegations. This step is just as important for the hearing as it is for the initial interview, since the same evidence typically carries through both phases.
Beyond organizing documents, the attorney also helps you prepare to speak about the incident, at both the investigative interview as well as the hearing. That preparation isn’t just about telling the story; it’s about telling it clearly, consistently, and credibly. A good advisor will talk through your account in detail, ask tough questions to uncover any gaps or weak spots, and help you practice how to respond if you’re challenged. This kind of preparation helps avoid surprises, and gives you more confidence going into the interview or hearing.
When it comes to the actual proceedings, the attorney is present as an advisor during both the investigative interview and the hearing itself. In the interview stage, it’s common for the advisor to be fairly active, suggesting things you may have forgotten to mention, reminding you to include key details, and sometimes even proposing follow-up questions for the investigator.
On the other hand, the hearing is different. Most schools do not allow the respondent to speak directly to the complainant, especially in sensitive cases involving allegations of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Instead, the advisor takes on that role, handling all of the questioning of the complainant on your behalf.
While advisors typically can’t object to questions during the hearing unless prompted by the decision-maker, they still play a central role in protecting your rights and making sure your side of the story is fully heard. The hearing is the most high-stakes moments in the process, and having someone experienced in that setting can make a real difference.
Every student reacts differently to the stress of a Title IX accusation. Some manage the emotional burden better than others, but the process can take a psychological toll on anyone. Here are some things to consider if you find yourself in the midst of a Title IX hearing:
The investigative interview typically lasts between one to two hours. It is typically a thorough process, with investigators going beyond the specific allegation to explore your background and any history or prior relationship with the complainant. These interviews are designed to dig deep, so you should be prepared for a detailed and sometimes lengthy conversation.
The hearing itself usually takes significantly longer. Most start in the morning and continue into the afternoon, with a lunch break of anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. It’s rare for a hearing to wrap up before lunch. In total, you can expect the hearing to take anywhere from half a day to a full day, all conducted via Zoom.
After the hearing wraps up, the decision isn’t immediate. The hearing officer (or panel) will typically inform both parties of an expected timeline for when the outcome will be delivered. They’ll need time to review the investigative report, go over their notes from the hearing, and carefully consider the testimony and evidence before reaching a final decision.
How long this takes can vary. Most colleges and universities include a timeliness requirement in their Title IX policies, stating that cases should be resolved as promptly as possible. All in all, you can generally expect to receive a decision within a few weeks, but it’s not unusual for an outcome to take up to a month or more, depending on the complexity of the case and the university’s internal process.
One of the most common mistakes students make during a Title IX hearing is falling into the trap of over-explaining. It’s a natural instinct: when you’re accused of something serious, you want to defend yourself. But in these settings, trying too hard to advocate for yourself can actually hurt your credibility.
Ideally, by the time the hearing takes place, you have been working closely with an experienced Title IX attorney who has helped you understand the importance of tone and presentation. A good advisor will take on the role of advocate, allowing you to focus on simply telling the truth.
There’s a real difference between advocating and narrating. Advocacy often sounds defensive or argumentative. For example, saying something like, She’s lying. We met at a bar, had a bunch of drinks, and the sex was consensual. She just has buyer’s remorse. That kind of statement sounds like someone trying to win an argument, not someone simply describing what happened.
A better approach is to calmly and clearly tell the story as you experienced it. Something like, Yes, we met at a bar that night. We each had two beers and two shots of tequila. When we left, I asked if she wanted to come back to my apartment, and she said yes. Once we got there, I asked if she wanted to fool around, and she said yes.
This kind of straightforward narrative sounds more credible. It presents the facts without sounding combative or emotionally charged. In a hearing, credibility matters, and sounding like a truth-teller, not a advocate, can make all the difference in the outcome of a case.
For more information on Title IX hearing preparation in Michigan, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (248) 356-8320 today.
Mark Satawa, a seasoned Michigan criminal defense attorney and founder of Satawa Law, PLLC, has spent years guiding college students, particularly those facing high-stakes Title IX accusations, through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. With firsthand experience advising students during intense school interviews and hearings, Mark Satawa understands the legal, emotional, and academic pressures involved. He’s helped numerous young adults avoid devastating outcomes by preparing them to present their stories clearly and confidently.
If you or your child is facing a Title IX investigation, don’t face it alone. Contact Satawa Law, PLLC today for experienced guidance.