Robyn-Ashley Taylor
General Counsel
About – Robyn-Ashley Taylor
Robyn-Ashley Taylor serves as General Counsel for the Noble Network of Charter Schools. She is responsible for analyzing the array of federal, state, and local laws that inform the delivery of a quality education to Noble’s 12,000 students, the employment of its 1,500 staff members, and the operations of its 18 schools. Robyn and her team provide practical legal advice spanning the gamut of Noble’s operational needs, including educational, employment, governance, transactional, and litigation-related matters. Further, as Noble’s first General Counsel, Robyn has spearheaded the development of Noble’s legal department and the formation of the network’s overall legal strategy.
Before joining Noble, Robyn was a member of Jones Day’s Labor and Employment practice. In that capacity, she represented clients across a variety of industries on a broad range of matters, including class and collective actions, labor relations, employment litigation, and internal and external investigations. She gained experience with many phases of litigation, including dispositive motions practice and trial. While at Jones Day, Robyn also maintained an active counseling and compliance practice in which she advised organizations on preventive matters and industry specific best practices.
Robyn began her career as a management consultant at Bain & Company; she holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in political science from Duke University. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys spending time with her husband and son, traveling, and cooking.
Why do you work at Noble?
I work at Noble because I believe deeply in the power of a quality education to change the trajectory of a person’s life.
Who was your favorite teacher while growing up?
Educators truly have the capacity to change lives, which makes it hard for me to choose just one favorite teacher. I attended Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas, and felt like I had so many champions to whom I will forever be indebted. I will, however, always appreciate Gail Macalik, my English II and Theology III teacher. She reminded a hyper-ambitious 17-year-old girl with big dreams to keep up the hard work, but always to remember “to stop and smell the roses.” I’ve never forgotten that advice, though I admit I’m still not very good at following it!
Favorite thing about Noble or favorite Noble moment?
Our students! The Noble Support Team’s offices are located in Muchin College Prep, which is in the heart of downtown Chicago. I love being in the hallways during passing periods and feeling the energy of our students—it always gives me an extra pep in my step.
What do you/your department do at Noble?
As General Counsel, I am responsible for the development and execution of the network’s overall legal strategy and the management of the network’s legal risk profile. On a day-to-day basis, I lead a team that regularly advises Noble’s leadership team, board of directors, and staff on issues across all operational areas, such as:
- Education-related, including student privacy, special education, and Title IX
- Employment-related, including wage and hour compliance, civil rights, and employee benefits
- Governance/transactional- related, including nonprofit governance, tax exempt status, charitable giving, intellectual property, cybersecurity, real estate, and contract negotiations
- Litigation-related, including management of any pending matters
Start at Noble?
2019
Hometown:
Dallas, Texas
Education:
Duke University (A.B. in Political Science)
Harvard Law School (J.D.)
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