Attorney Trina Ingelfinger
trina@sanghavilawoffice.com
(617) 505-3012
Legal Experience
Trina Ingelfinger, an attorney at Sanghavi Law Office, LLC has significant experience conducting independent investigations for public and private secondary and post-secondary schools on a wide range of issues, including sexual violence and harassment, retaliation, and discrimination on the basis of gender, race, and disability. In addition to her investigative role, Trina reviews and advises on schools’ policies and procedures, conducts climate assessments, and provides guidance on compliance with education-related civil rights laws. Trina also conducts trainings for school administrators, investigators, and faculty and staff members regarding their responsibilities under civil rights laws and regulations.
Prior to joining Sanghavi Law Office, Trina worked as Chief Attorney for the New England region of OCR from 2011 to 2015. As Chief Attorney, Trina was responsible for overseeing the Department’s legal, policy, and enforcement activities, including investigations, compliance determinations, and case resolutions under Title IX, Title VI, Section 504, the ADA, and the Age Act at colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools, and state departments of education in the six New England states. In her role as Chief Attorney, Trina worked closely with national and regional enforcement leaders in the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to help guide compliance decision-making, policy development, and investigation and litigation strategies. She also routinely provided legal and policy guidance and feedback to schools and universities on internal policies, climate surveys, and training activities. In her 10 years at OCR, Trina also served as Interim Regional Director, Compliance Team Leader, and Civil Rights Attorney, investigating numerous complaints involving elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools.
Before joining OCR, Trina served as a law clerk in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, and represented schools in special education hearings and state and federal court proceedings as an attorney with Zelin & McCormack, PLLC, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Trina received her Bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, her J.D. from Boston College Law School, and her Master’s in Education Law from University of New Hampshire Law School. She is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Trina has the expertise to assist clients with proactive compliance advice, audits, and investigations regarding:
• Campus sexual harassment and sexual assault
• Other Title IX matters, including athletics, pregnancy, and single-sex education
• Student discipline
• Racial harassment and different treatment based on race/national origin
• Disability law, including campus safety, service animals, communications, FAPE, extracurricular activities, and accommodations for persons with disabilities
• Equal educational opportunities for English language learner (ELL) students
Trina is trained in conducting Title IX hearings and trauma-informed school and workplace investigations, including through ATIXA, NACUA, AWI, and NCCPS. Trina is also on United Educators’ list of approved investigators.
Trina received her Bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, her J.D. from Boston College Law School, and her Master’s in Education Law from University of New Hampshire Law School. She is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. She is not admitted to practice law in other states.