Kimberly Pacelli is a Partner at TNG with more than 25 years of experience in higher education law, policy, and student affairs. She consults nationally on Title IX and civil rights compliance for K-12 and higher education institutions, often serving as an interim Title IX coordinator for institutions in transition. 

Pacelli is a leading expert in student and employee misconduct, Title IX and other civil rights laws, disability law and accessibility, behavioral intervention and threat assessment, crisis management, and governance challenges. Trusted by K-12 schools and districts, as well as two- and four-year public and private institutions of higher education, she helps organizations meet legal requirements while preserving their mission and culture. Her services include tailored consulting, policy development, compliance and program reviews, and training for students, faculty, and staff. In addition to serving as an expert witness in high-profile federal and state cases, Pacelli is a recognized authority on compliance obligations and industry standard practices under both federal and state laws, providing insightful analyses of court rulings and regulatory changes. She is a frequently requested speaker at national conferences, including the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). She has authored and contributed to various ATIXA and NABITA publications, whitepapers, and training materials, including legal updates, sanctioning guides, and model policies. Pacelli currently serves as TNG’s K-12 Practice Lead, drawing on her extensive K-12 experience to advise on the complexities of K-12 policies and standards. She previously led TNG’s Content Team, where she oversaw the complete refresh of ATIXA’s training curriculum. 

Before joining TNG, Pacelli held leadership positions in higher education at Bowdoin College and Harvard University. At Bowdoin, she was Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, overseeing health and counseling services, residential life, and other student support offices. At Harvard, she was Associate Dean of Student Life.  

In the legal and government sectors, Pacelli previously served as an attorney and higher education consultant for Drummond Woodsum in Portland, Maine, where she advised colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts on Title IX, civil rights, student and employee misconduct, and privacy policies. She was also a Judicial Extern in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Assistant Director for Legislation for the U.S. Department of Education’s Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, and has served on the staff for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Pacelli was published in the Maine Law Review for an examination of race-conscious admission practices in higher education.  

Pacelli is known for her practical advice and values-based approach that empowers institutions to manage high-risk and day-to-day issues with confidence. Her honest and transparent style fosters trust, helping clients mitigate risks while enhancing response and support systems. 

She holds a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, an M.Ed. in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in Government and Legal Studies from Bowdoin College. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Maine and holds an inactive bar admission in Massachusetts. 

Pacelli resides in Maine with her family and is actively involved in her community. On her local school board, she chairs the Superintendent’s Evaluation Committee and serves on the Facilities and Policy Committees.