Kristen R. Gagalis

Associate

Overview

Kristen helps educational institutions, municipalities, and private organizations navigate sensitive legal, regulatory, and governance matters with practical, collaborative guidance. Her practice focuses on internal investigations, higher education, public law, and land use, where she partners with clients to solve complex legal challenges and develop thoughtful, effective solutions.

Kristen works closely with colleges, universities, and other organizations on internal investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, and other workplace or institutional concerns. She serves in a variety of Title IX roles, including investigator, hearing panel chair, and advisor, guiding institutions and students through investigative and adjudicative processes with objectivity, empathy, and sound judgment.

Kristen also serves as trusted counsel to municipalities on a broad range of public law matters, including governance, local regulations, contracts, ethics, Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and municipal compliance. She partners with local officials to provide strategic legal guidance that supports effective decision-making and helps communities address evolving legal and operational challenges.

In addition, Kristen advises public and private clients on land use, zoning, and administrative matters, guiding them through permitting, regulatory approvals, and local government processes. She works collaboratively with clients to advance projects while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk.

Before becoming an attorney, Kristen spent several years as a middle school teacher and coach. That experience continues to shape her practice, giving her a collaborative, client-centered approach grounded in communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and a commitment to helping clients confidently navigate complex legal issues.

BEYOND THE OFFICE

Kristen enjoys reading historical fiction, taking tap dance lessons, and playing board games. She lives in Durham, New Hampshire with her partner Liz, their rescue dog Riggins, and their two cats.

PRACTICE AREAS

Credentials

Education

The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2021, Rubenstein Scholar

Rice University, B.A., 2012, magna cum laude

Admissions

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Massachusetts

 

Experience

Internal Investigations & Higher Education

  • Conducts sensitive internal investigations for colleges and universities involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, and other violations of institutional policy.
  • Serves as an external Title IX hearing panel chair, evaluating investigative records, conducting hearings, and participating in the impartial adjudication of complex student conduct matters.
  • Represents students as a Title IX advisor throughout investigative and hearing processes, providing strategic guidance and helping clients navigate institutional procedures.
  • Advises colleges and universities on Title IX compliance, institutional policies, investigative procedures, and best practices for responding to sensitive campus matters.
  • Assists educational institutions in developing fair, legally sound policies and processes that balance institutional responsibilities with the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

Public Law & Municipal Counsel

  • Advises municipalities, boards, and local officials on governance, municipal bylaws, contracts, ethics, Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and other matters affecting local government operations.
  • Counsels public entities on regulatory compliance, local decision-making, and practical legal strategies to address complex governance issues.
  • Assists municipalities in drafting and interpreting local regulations, policies, and procedures that support effective governance and reduce legal risk.

Land Use & Local Regulatory Matters

  • Represents municipalities, developers, and property owners in zoning, permitting, and land use matters before local boards and administrative agencies.
  • Advises clients on compliance with local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, special permits, variances, and related municipal approvals.
  • Counsels clients on regulatory issues involving short-term rentals, development projects, and municipal permitting processes.

Administrative Proceedings

  • Represents public and private clients in administrative appeals and regulatory proceedings involving municipal, land use, and governance matters.
  • Develops practical strategies for resolving disputes efficiently while advancing clients' long-term operational and business objectives.

Pro Bono

  • Represents youth in education-related legal matters, advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities and student rights.
  • Assists individuals seeking the sealing and expungement of criminal records, helping clients remove barriers to employment, housing, and education.

Kristen helps educational institutions, municipalities, and private organizations navigate sensitive legal, regulatory, and governance matters with practical, collaborative guidance. Her practice focuses on internal investigations, higher education, public law, and land use, where she partners with clients to solve complex legal challenges and develop thoughtful, effective solutions.

Kristen works closely with colleges, universities, and other organizations on internal investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, and other workplace or institutional concerns. She serves in a variety of Title IX roles, including investigator, hearing panel chair, and advisor, guiding institutions and students through investigative and adjudicative processes with objectivity, empathy, and sound judgment.

Kristen also serves as trusted counsel to municipalities on a broad range of public law matters, including governance, local regulations, contracts, ethics, Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and municipal compliance. She partners with local officials to provide strategic legal guidance that supports effective decision-making and helps communities address evolving legal and operational challenges.

In addition, Kristen advises public and private clients on land use, zoning, and administrative matters, guiding them through permitting, regulatory approvals, and local government processes. She works collaboratively with clients to advance projects while effectively managing legal and regulatory risk.

Before becoming an attorney, Kristen spent several years as a middle school teacher and coach. That experience continues to shape her practice, giving her a collaborative, client-centered approach grounded in communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and a commitment to helping clients confidently navigate complex legal issues.

BEYOND THE OFFICE

Kristen enjoys reading historical fiction, taking tap dance lessons, and playing board games. She lives in Durham, New Hampshire with her partner Liz, their rescue dog Riggins, and their two cats.

Education

The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2021, Rubenstein Scholar

Rice University, B.A., 2012, magna cum laude

Admissions

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Massachusetts

 

Internal Investigations & Higher Education

  • Conducts sensitive internal investigations for colleges and universities involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation, and other violations of institutional policy.
  • Serves as an external Title IX hearing panel chair, evaluating investigative records, conducting hearings, and participating in the impartial adjudication of complex student conduct matters.
  • Represents students as a Title IX advisor throughout investigative and hearing processes, providing strategic guidance and helping clients navigate institutional procedures.
  • Advises colleges and universities on Title IX compliance, institutional policies, investigative procedures, and best practices for responding to sensitive campus matters.
  • Assists educational institutions in developing fair, legally sound policies and processes that balance institutional responsibilities with the needs of students, faculty, and staff.

Public Law & Municipal Counsel

  • Advises municipalities, boards, and local officials on governance, municipal bylaws, contracts, ethics, Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and other matters affecting local government operations.
  • Counsels public entities on regulatory compliance, local decision-making, and practical legal strategies to address complex governance issues.
  • Assists municipalities in drafting and interpreting local regulations, policies, and procedures that support effective governance and reduce legal risk.

Land Use & Local Regulatory Matters

  • Represents municipalities, developers, and property owners in zoning, permitting, and land use matters before local boards and administrative agencies.
  • Advises clients on compliance with local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, special permits, variances, and related municipal approvals.
  • Counsels clients on regulatory issues involving short-term rentals, development projects, and municipal permitting processes.

Administrative Proceedings

  • Represents public and private clients in administrative appeals and regulatory proceedings involving municipal, land use, and governance matters.
  • Develops practical strategies for resolving disputes efficiently while advancing clients' long-term operational and business objectives.

Pro Bono

  • Represents youth in education-related legal matters, advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities and student rights.
  • Assists individuals seeking the sealing and expungement of criminal records, helping clients remove barriers to employment, housing, and education.