While courtroom battles come to mind when the general public thinks of lawyers, there's a lot more to them than that. Lawyers also broker deals, negotiate settlements, draft wills, provide legal documents such as contracts and affidavits and, most importantly, give sound legal advice to their clients.
The courts do not frequently overturn school dress code policies. However, if there is a social, political, or religious message associated with what the students are wearing, the courts will be more sympathetic. For example, in Pennsylvania, the ACLU recently won a lawsuit against a school policy banning students form wearing breast cancer awareness bracelets that said “I
If you have been arrested and feel that the incident was handled incorrectly, we can help. We can assist you in gathering and documenting evidence, as well as contacting witnesses and collecting statements from them.
Bullying and harassment, especially sexual harassment, are expected to be discouraged in schools and dealt with, and most districts now have policies in place regarding this. However, if you think your child has been victimized, and the school did not take proper action to protect him or her, you may have legal recourse.
Clarence Darrow, the famous American attorney, was known for his pithy insights about the role of law in civil society. One of his best-known comments is this: “Laws should be like clothes. They should be made to fit the people they serve.”
Removing, changing, or adding a school regulation can take a lot of work, and usually involves gathering a lot of supporters. Once you have this support, an education lawyer can argue your case with the school board, negotiate with them, or even represent you in court.
In order for a class action lawsuit to be viable, those involved in the suit must be in substantially similar circumstances, where the common issues are critical to the lawsuit. This might involve, for instance, a large number of consumers who are injured as a result of an allegedly defective product.
If anyone, including a teacher or school administrator, is bullying you or your child at school, the most important first step to take is reporting the abuse to the vice principal, principal, or superintendent. Keep a journal of each time the harassment occurs and describe who was involved, where, and when it happened, and whom it was reported to.
We recognize how difficult it can be to be the first person in a company to fight against their discriminatory practices. Remember, winning your case in court could improve working conditions for other people in addition to yourself.
A child with special needs can have many legal rights that you may not know about. A consultation with an attorney can help you ensure that you have protected those rights and allow you to make sure that their needs are met.
The first law school in America was opened by Tapping Reeve in 1784. During the Revolutionary War, Reeve taught aspiring lawyers, but in 1784, he adopted a formal curriculum, scheduled classes, built a small school building, and launched the Litchfield Law School.
Do you have an Individualized Education Program meeting scheduled at school for your child? The law gives you the right to have an adviser there, such as an education attorney, who understands the laws and your child's specific rights.
If you have been served with a summons in a complaint in a civil matter, seek the advice and help of an attorney experienced in civil litigation. He or she can prepare your answer, any counter- or cross-claims that may exist, and file any appropriate motions.
Under U.S. education law, students with disabilities have the right to an appropriate educational placement and plan that’s designed specifically to meet their individual needs. In addition, a school district may not discriminate against a disabled student.
When the civil rights guaranteed to everyone in the Constitution are denied, the type of case involved depends on where the unlawful infringement took place. If police treat you differently because of your race or sex, there is a specific body of law that offers protection.
Did you know that even if your child has learning disabilities, he or she has the right to a free and “appropriate” public education? By “appropriate,” the law means that any child has the right to education services and resources specifically tailored for his or her needs.
Although the federal government has passed laws forbidding unfair hiring practices, it still happens more than anyone would like to admit. If you feel you’ve been passed over for a promotion because of the color of your skin, you may have a case.
Were you aware that if your child has ADD or ADHD, they have certain rights as a student? They may be eligible for special education under other health impairment, specific learning disability, and/or emotional disturbance categories if their condition adversely affects their educational performance.
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, prohibits any type of discrimination against people with disabilities in any place of public accommodation. If you feel that your rights have been violated, we can help.
Do you know the process to request your child's school file or the legal options if you disagree with a school assessment? Education attorneys know the ins and outs of the system and understand the different ways to respond if your requests are turned down.
The areas where civil rights violations can occur are expanding rapidly. With the Internet and all of its variables, people can be subjected to abusive and illegal actions. If you think you have been victimized, call us for help.
If your child is facing expulsion from his or her school, you need to take action to protect his or her rights. This is a serious action and can affect your child for the rest of his or her life. Speak with one of our attorneys to discuss your case.
The oldest set of laws, called "Urukagina’s Code," dates from 2350 BC. The actual code has not been found, but later sources refer to it as the collection of ordinances adopted by Mesopotamian kings to govern civil matters and define the king’s divine right to rule.
Sometimes legal counsel is advisable concerning student discipline issues. You may want to consult with an education attorney if the school is not following an IEP or 504 plan for discipline or your child is disciplined for continuous behaviors but there is no behavior plan put into place.