Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Department of Education has selected a new law firm to oversee Zenith Education Group, the nonprofit operator of more than 50 former Corinthian Colleges campuses.
• Squire Patton Boggs — and law firm partner Clark Kent Ervin, former inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State — will handle the independent oversight of Zenith, taking over for Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose, which was accused of conflicts of interest.
• The new agreement attempts to limit opportunities for similar conflicts, requiring Ervin to report his findings to the department directly, making clear he is not an attorney for Zenith, and prohibiting his working for Zenith for two years after the monitoring agreement ends.

Dive Insight:

The Associated Press published an extensive investigation into the former Corinthian Colleges campuses one year after they were handed over to nonprofit operators following the for-profit chain’s collapse. It found that some of the most criticized practices and outreach strategies remained in place. Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose was supposed to ensure Zenith did not repeat its predecessor’s mistakes, but the Associated Press investigation made clear proper oversight did not occur.