This guide is intended to provide administrators responsible for setting policies for training and employing international teaching assistants (ITAs) a framework to help determine whether their programs and policies might be in violation of legislation or common law precedents. The paper also discusses how social policies, as formalized in statutory schemes, provide guidance for appropriate goals and policies for ITA program administration and suggests ways that cross-cultural educational research can be used to counter potential legal claims. An overview of the types of claims that might be brought by various parties against institutions and ITA programs is provided. Next, each type of claim is reviewed, as well as the actions that administrators can take to prevent such claims or minimize their impact. A detailed example is provided regarding the requirement to communicate clearly in English, with a chart summarizing state laws in this area. The use of English language qualifying tests that may be over- or under-inclusive are also discussed. The civil rights protections accorded to ITAs are described along with the implications for institutions of higher education. (Contains 23 references.) (Author/JLS)