Ruchi Verma

Ruchi Verma deeply believes in the power of education.

Ruchi counsels K-12 clients on policy and board governance issues, strategy and operations, student privacy rights, and public and charter school compliance. She provides practical, strategic advice to school boards and administrators weighing multiple risks to provide student-centered solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Ruchi is a skilled problem-solver with vast knowledge of a variety of complex school law issues. She is passionate about guiding school districts in operationalizing solutions to intricate legal issues and creating proactive processes for administration and students alike. She has deep experience in handling highly public and sensitive issues with care and consideration.

Clients trust Ruchi for balanced advice that prioritizes the well-being of students while protecting districts. By creating systems and processes to handle difficult situations, she ensures that her clients are protected now and in the future.

As the former General Counsel for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), she understands first-hand the issues and opportunities facing school districts today. In her role with CPS, she managed a $20 million budget, supervised a staff of over 100 people, and navigated the day-to-day operations and high-impact, complex legal matters inherent to the fourth-largest school district in the United States.

During her 17 years with CPS, she oversaw the response to state and federal regulatory complaints, managed all legal aspects of the district’s response to COVID-19, drafted legislation, and implemented new laws. She was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Student Protections and Title IX, which advanced the district’s commitment to provide an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning environment. In 2025, the Board of Education of the City of Chicago honored her with a resolution acknowledging her years of service and impact at CPS.

Prior to joining CPS, she was an associate at Sidley Austin.