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Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Gretchen M. Shipley

Partner

San Diego
|
Inland Empire
gshipley@f3law.com
D 760.304.6015
Gretchen M. Shipley

What can I solve for you?

School districts depend on me to shepherd them through the often complicated and fraught legal and technology issues that arise in today’s education environment. I also help clients with a wide range of school business law matters.

What's it like to work with me?

I enjoy working with districts to craft policies for education technology. My deep understanding of the legal landscape surrounding education technology allows me to provide concise and comprehensive guidance that ensures optimal learning environments for all students. I am dedicated to creating policies that prioritize the needs of students and promote equitable access to technology is evident in every aspect of their work, and my commitment to providing high-quality legal advice makes them an invaluable asset to any district looking to implement new technologies in the classroom.

Top Issues in My Practice

  • #studentdataprivacy
  • #schoolsurveillance
  • #dataprivacy
  • #EducationTechnology
  • #edtech
  • #softwareagreements

“As an education lawyer and parent to 3 school-aged children, I am passionate about creating a safe online learning environment for students.”

Overview

A highly regarded education technology law leader, Gretchen Shipley guides school districts and other organizations in California and nationwide on artificial intelligence, data privacy, school social media management, cyber security and safety issues and on the promotion of cyber-citizenship in the school community. As chair of the firm’s eMatters practice group, Gretchen has emerged as a thought leader on cutting-edge topics at the intersection of law and cyberspace. These include the support of hundreds of school districts and county offices of education in the development of AI guidelines and serving as co-counsel for the California School Board Association as a real party in interest in a school board social media case before the U. S. Supreme Court.

Gretchen also delivers training to district leaders and staff on an array of matters including responsible use of social media, the acquisition process of new technology, evaluation protocol for software agreements and the business aspects of school technology. She also represents private companies and schools in the education software sector.
With broad knowledge and natural problem-solving skills, Gretchen draws on her school business law background to also advise on a wide variety of procurement, facilities, and governance issues. Her litigation and administrative hearing experience in civil rights, school construction and employment law enhances her ability to draft board policies and staff handbooks and counsel school organizations through employee investigations and disciplinary processes. Several clients retain Gretchen as their general counsel, including California IT in Education, or CITE, and its 1,000 school-district members.

A popular and in-demand public speaker on education technology, artificial intelligence, social media management, data privacy and other topics, Gretchen frequently makes presentations in education and law conferences, symposia, seminars, webinars and trainings on a state and national level. The organizations she partners with in this capacity include CITE, California School Board Association (CSBA), Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), and California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO).

After School

As a parent to children in elementary, middle and high school, Gretchen’s time outside of the firm is largely consumed with attending her kids’ activities. As well as being a “football, soccer and dance mom,” she participates in community organizations and serves as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop.

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Arizona (B.A., Anthropology and Fine Art)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Related Services

  • Business
  • Education Technology
  • Facilities & Construction
  • Investigations
  • Real Estate & Property
  • Virtual Learning

Related Clients

  • Public Agencies
  • Community Colleges
  • Public Education K-12

Publications

  • Co-authored CASBO’s Guide to Public Bidding

Presentations

  • Popular presenter at national and state-wide conferences such as: NSBA, AASA, CSBA, ACSA Superintendents Symposium, CASBO
  • Developed the Annual CITE Leadership Summit
  • Frequently conducts webinars, presentations and school site trainings primarily in the arena of education technology and cyber-citizenship

Gretchen's Insights & News

  1. Viewpoints
    Ninth Circuit Clarifies When School Officials’ Social Media Use May Constitute State Action And Violate The First Amendment
    May 16, 2025
    less than a minute
  2. Viewpoints
    Teacher Apprenticeship Programs, Recently Defunded, Remain a Viable Option for Filling Vacancies
    May 16, 2025
    less than a minute
  3. Viewpoints
    Funding for Wi-Fi hotspots at risk?
    May 09, 2025
    less than a minute
More Insights & News
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