Assisted a client in reducing a suspension after the school initially imposed a disproportionate sanction.

• Represented a High School Senior in an expulsion hearing after he created an inappropriate post on social media; The school chose not to expel the student, allowing him to graduate on time in just a few short months.

• Assisted a client in an expulsion hearing after he was recommended for expulsion for the same behavior he was previously disciplined for. School considered the student’s circumstances and provided the student with an opportunity to learn from his behavior, avoiding a lengthy expulsion.

• Successfully assisted an 8th grader through the expulsion hearing process; Student was not expelled and was able to return to school immediately following the hearing.

• Represented a client in an expulsion hearing after an 11th Grade student made an inappropriate joke at school; School agreed to an abeyance agreement, allowing the student to return to school following the suspension.

• Successfully assisted a client prepare for an expulsion hearing for a high school student after she made a mistake while with friends; the school agreed to place the expulsion in abeyance and allowed her to return to school following the suspension.

• Assisted an 8th grade student in a suspension appeal hearing after he was found with a vape at school; suspension was affirmed, however, due to the circumstances we explained, the school district rescinded the recommendation for expulsion.

• Assisted a 10th grade student in an expulsion hearing after he was suspended for fighting; The District agreed to place the expulsion in abeyance and the student was able to return to school following the suspension.

• Assisted an 11th grade student with no prior discipline in the expulsion hearing process resulting in an abeyance agreement that allowed him to return to school as soon as possible.

• Successfully argued that a student’s disciplinary records were inaccurate and misleading, which led to Superintendent amending the records to reflect the circumstances accurately.

• Represented a 7th grade student in an expulsion hearing in which the student was deemed not to be a threat to himself or others. Avoided expulsion and the student was able to return back to school after a short suspension and continue in sports.

• Represented an 11th grade student in an expulsion hearing; Student was permitted to finish the school year online without an expulsion on his record AND is able to complete additional courses to graduate 1 year early.

• Defended 10th grade student in an expulsion hearing after he engaged in a fight with another student in the bathroom, resulting in a full abeyance and immediate return to class.

• Assisted an 8th grade student in preparing for and attending an expulsion hearing after he brought banned contraband to school; after explanation of circumstances, expulsion was avoided and student was immediately able to return to classes.

• Assisted a 6th grade student in an expulsion hearing after he made an inappropriate comment on the bus. The school understood that the student should not receive an expulsion for his behavior and agreed to place the expulsion in abeyance and allow the student to return back to school after his suspension was up.

• Represented 5th grader in an expulsion proceeding, resulting in an abeyance ("set-aside") agreement, allowing the student to attend in an alternative environment for the remainder of the semester.

• Assisted an 11th grade student in the expulsion hearing process after she defended herself from an unprovoked attack from another student. The school recognized the circumstance and chose not to expel the student.

• Achieved reduced suspension and avoided expulsion for a HS student who made an inappropriate comment. Expulsion was quickly taken off the table and the District agreed to end the suspension early, allowing the student to return to school the following day.

• Assisted a client accused of bringing prohibited items on school property with expulsion hearing, resulting in an agreement to place expulsion in abeyance, allowing the student to finish senior year and graduate on time.

• After MS student made inappropriate but private statements to a friend, we helped explain the situation and get an expulsion set aside so the student could return to school, continue classes and learn from his conduct.

• Negotiated with a private religious school resulting in the school allowing student to voluntarily withdrawal in lieu of an expulsion, giving student the ability to enroll in the local public school and graduate on time.

• Avoided an expulsion for a 4th grade student who was falsely accused of making a threat at the school.

• A senior in high school was recommended for expulsion right before graduation for making an inappropriate statement. The student expressed remorse and had no prior disciplinary history. We worked with the school and avoided an expulsion in exchange for community service. The student was able to graduate on time, avoid an expulsion, and keep his college scholarship.

• Negotiated abeyance agreement in lieu of expulsion for a middle school student including terms that were appropriate to the situation.

• Avoided an expulsion for high school student who had allegedly brought drug paraphernalia to school.

• Student was disciplined for behavior that was not intentional. The disciplinary record did not reflect that the student had no intent. We worked with the school to change the “charge” on the disciplinary record to make the disciplinary record more accurate.

• Middle school student was suspended with a recommendation for expulsion for fighting. This student had several behavioral referrals previously that the district considered. However, in the hearing we were able to show that these behaviors were (1) the result of a disability and (2) were a reaction to many incidents of racism. The school agreed not to expel the student and we worked with them to initiate accommodations and a plan for reporting future incidents.

• Helped remove a suspension for a high school student who was disciplined for behavior that was a direct manifestation of his disability (ADHD).

• Helped avoid expulsion for a high school student accused of vaping in the school restroom.

• Avoided an expulsion and received a lesser suspension for a high school student accused of vaping on school property.

• Avoided expulsion for a middle school student who was issued a disproportionate sanction by a school due to misconduct on a school bus. 

• Assisted in expunging a student’s entire disciplinary record after the school violated the student’s due process rights.

• Helped a HS student avoid expulsion after being accused of using a water gun on private property.

• Middle school student was suspended; however, the disciplinary record was misleading and the school initially denied the parents the ability to appeal. We communicated with school’s legal counsel and agreed to update the disciplinary records to reflect the actual facts.

• Avoided expulsion for a high school student who made an inappropriate joke at school. Provided school with additional diagnoses to update the student’s IEP in order to get additional services/accommodations in place.

• Assisted a client in getting an expulsion (including the listed code of conduct violation) reduced following an incident that was taken entirely out of context.

• 9th grade student was falsely accused of violating the student code of conduct after being bullying by the same students. Client was suspended with a recommendation for expulsion. Despite the student admitting to some of the behavior, we worked with the school to avoid an expulsion and create a safety plan for the student upon his return to the school.

• Assisted client in modifying expulsion for a middle school student, resulting in the student’s ability to return to school 3 weeks earlier.

• Avoided expulsion for a high school student who made inappropriate comments on social media. Worked cooperatively with the school to update the student’s IEP to include additional services.

• Worked with a school to modify an expulsion abeyance agreement without going through the expulsion appeal process.

• Following a fight at school by a high school student-client, assisted the student to avoid removal from school and worked with the school to obtain anger management counseling for the student.

• Helped avoid discipline and removal from school for a middle school student who made a social media post that was not threatening (included a list of his least favorite people in the class).

• 5th grade student was suspended and recommended for expulsion for an incident on the school bus. Despite many prior behavioral incidents, we worked with the school to avoid an expulsion, allowing the student to return to school after a short suspension. We also secured several support services to help the student progress educationally.

• After MS student was suspended for 10 days with a recommendation for expulsion, we identified significant procedural errors made by the school, resulting in removal of the discipline from the student’s record.

• Helped a talented and accomplished female high school student, with an unblemished discipline record, continue in school without substantial disclipline after allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior with her boyfriend at school.

• 8th grade student was recommended for expulsion. After informing the school that they violated many of the student's rights, the school agreed to take expulsion off the table, which allowed the student to return to school the following day.

• Avoided an expulsion for a middle school student who initiated a fight with a student who had been bullying him.

• Middle school student with several prior disciplinary incidents, and with a behavior contract in place, was suspended with a recommendation for expulsion. Worked with the school to give the student another chance, avoided expulsion and secured additional supports for the student.

• School had concerns about middle school student’s mental health after he made some comments to other students. Worked with the school and agreed to an abeyance agreement in lieu of an expulsion, and then met with the school to discuss support services for the student.

• High school student was suspended with a recommendation for expulsion after a second incident of fighting. These were unique circumstances as the initial altercation involved the student defending another student who was attacked, while the second altercation involved the student being attacked by the same students at a later date. We worked together with the school district and counsel to allow the student to continue the school online and placing the expulsion in abeyance.

• Suspension rescinded for high school senior who was initially suspended for fighting. We were able to show that the students was defending himself in the fight after numerous threats made toward him by the assailant.

• Following suspension of an 8th grade student and recommendation for expulsion for fighting, I represented the student in the expulsion hearing, helped to explain the circumstances surrounding the fight to the hearing officer, and worked with the school to allow the student to safely continue attending school for the remainder of the year without an expulsion on his record.

• Assisted a student secure and negotiate a Consent Agreement which avoid a termination hearing, allowing the student to finish her remaining few hours before graduation.

• 5th Grade student was recommended for expulsion following extensive bullying and a false accusation. Worked with the District to avoid an expulsion and to provide safety for the student moving forward.

• Achieved expulsion abeyance for 5th Grade student accused of damaging school property. 

• After 8th grade student was suspended and recommended for expulsion, we identified years of reported but unaddressed bullying, and the expulsion was averted. 

• Successfully assisted a High School student through the Title IX process with the school after he was falsely accused of sexual assault; The district found him NOT RESPONSIBLE.

• Helped secure a safety plan for a student who felt uncomfortable around a former staff member. Student now feels safe and comfortable attending school and extracurricular activities.

• Assisted a 10th grade student secure eligibility for athletics after district denied her eligibility for transferring from one school to another.

• Sent a cease and desist letter to a school to demand that their staff stop communicating with a family whose children no longer attended the school.

• Assisted a student in receiving supportive measures after an incident occurred at school with another student; Students were separated and parents now feels safe sending her child to school.

• Successfully assisted a client in appealing an eligibility determination with the Ohio High School Athletic Association; Full eligibility was granted and the student was able to participate in Senior Night just two days later.

• Provided continuous guidance and advice for a family whose son was treated unfairly by a Coach; The student was able to successfully finish his senior season.

• Assisted a client in requesting personnel records for a problematic coach from all prior districts where the coach was employed; helped provide guidance to clients as they reported concerns to the current district.

• Assisted client in filing complaints with the state department of education against school staff members after the school failed to intervene and protect her following an incident with a teacher.

• Successfully appealed and removed 1-year athletic participation penalty issued by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), immediately restoring eligibility for a high school student-athlete.

• Assisted a family in notifying the school district of concerns surrounding differential treatment of male students and lack of response to bullying by building administration; Investigation resulted in the removal of the Superintendent and Principal from their positions.

• Assisted client in filing a formal bullying and harassment complaint resulting in a safety plan to protect the student from additional bullying.

• Helped parents secure a copy of son's cumulative education records from school district, and following appearance as student's counsel, worked with the school district to ensure educational issues would be addressed.

• Assisted client in requesting personnel records for a school staff member that parents had concerns about and provided guidance to clients about how to address their concerns.

• Negotiated with a school district to correct a student’s grades to reflect incompletes after the school district incorrectly refused to honor the student’s request to withdrawal.

• Assisted a client in requesting and accessing public records from the local school district that they were otherwise refusing to provide.

• Assisted parent in lifting 2-year ban from entering school property following a minor Covid-related policy violation, which allowed the parent to participate in their child's school activities.

• Teacher was acting inappropriate with a 4th grade student. Helped the family in the Title 9 process with the school district, resulting in the teacher resigning.

• Helped the client ensure that a formal reprimand was placed in a school staff member’s personnel file after the staff member violated the student’s privacy rights.

• Middle school student was being bullied. We worked with the school to build a strong safety plan and ensured that the safety plan applied to the school bus as well.

• Submitted a comprehensive bullying and harassment complaint for a middle school student who experienced racism from several other students. District took appropriate action and the student is now thriving.

• Assisted a client in viewing video footage from an incident on the bus after the school district initially refused access.

• Assisted a client in preparing for a Manifestation Determination Review for a student who attempted suicide and helped find supportive services for student.

• Assisted a client in notifying the school about several bullying incidents and helped the client supplement the record with a statement that explains how a piece of the student's record was inaccurate.

• Assisted a private high school student in obtaining approval for early graduation after an initial denial.

• Worked with a school to create a comprehensive safety plan for a student who was being harassed at school.

• Successfully assisted clients through the mediation process with the Department of Education after the school failed to provide special education services to the student.

• Filed a complaint with the USDOE Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for racial discrimination by a school district which commenced an investigation for all claims.

• 6th grade student was suspended and recommended for expulsion for fighting another student who had been bullying her for 2 years. While in the expulsion hearing, the school district agreed to take expulsion off the table and worked with the family in creating a safety plan for the student as a way to help prevent future bullying.

• Two siblings were forced to change school buildings because they moved out of the attendance zone for the school building they had been attending. We worked with the district to extend the deadline to find a new residence in the same attendance zone, which gave the family enough time to avoid switching schools.

• High school senior was falsely accused of harassment. Assisted the client through the investigation process and resulted in the school finding in favor of the student. Assisted the client in expressing their concerns with the school following the investigation.

• Assisted a client in filing a formal bullying harassment complaint with the school district. Worked with the District to immediately implement a safety plan. Several months later and there have been no more incidents and the student now feels comfortable in school.

• 8th Grade student was falsely accused of sexual harassment. Assisted the client throughout the entire Title IX process and addressed the inconsistencies in the allegations and the procedural flaws on the part of the District. Student was found not responsible for sexual harassment and was not disciplined.

• Assisted a parent in requesting various public records from their child’s school district.

• Helped client secure a resignation of a school district Superintendent who verbally abused a student with a disability. 

• Successfully negotiated a settlement for a family whose child was abused by a teacher.

• Helped graduate student resolve allegations of research misconduct with their University resulting in an early dismissal of the allegations.

• Successfully assisted a college student receive amnesty after he was initially charged under the Student Code of Conduct for alcohol violations.

• Successfully assisted a student in the grade appeal process after the nursing program did not provide the student with a fair opportunity to complete program requirements; The student’s appeal was granted and she was reinstated into the Program.

• Assisted a College Student in a mediation with OCR resulting in a settlement agreement that provided additional supports for the student as well as a tuition credit as a remedy.

• Advised a student through the academic misconduct process after he was falsely accused of academic dishonesty resulting in some charges being dismissed and the student receiving a minor, non-reportable sanction.

• Helped a college student navigate the conduct process at his university balancing his disclosures to the school with the fact that the student had pending criminal charges.

• Assisted 2 college student in appealing suspensions after they were found in violation for a second offense of academic misconduct; University removed the suspension for both students.

• Successfully assisted a college student through the university conduct process after he was falsely accused of violating the Code of Conduct for a second time; University found him NOT RESPONSIBLE for all charges.

• Successfully negotiated an agreement with a University granting a PhD student a tuition credit for 4 semesters after her program repeatedly hindered her progress; Student has since successfully completed the program and has graduated.

• Successfully assisted a college student appeal an interim sanction that he was given following a Title IX accusation; sanction was removed and the Title IX complaint was dismissed.

• Advised a graduate student throughout 2 Title IX cases with the University.

• Prepared a college student to advocate for himself in a Code of Conduct hearing; Despite having a previous violation on his record, the student still received the most minor sanction possible.

• Successfully assisted college student secure reinstatement at a university after she was academically dismissed.

• Successfully assisted medical student in applying for a leave of absence after the University initially rejected his request.

• Successfully assisted medical student in amending his education records after the University violated procedures.

• Successfully assisted a client through the Code of Conduct after he was falsely accused of assaulting another student; Client was found NOT RESPONSIBLE.

• Successfully appealed the dismissal of a college student who was accused of falsifying records; student was immediately reinstated which allowed her to graduate in less than a month.

• Assisted graduate student in the Code of Conduct process resulting in the university imposing the minimum sanction possible despite the student having previous allegations of misconduct on his record.

• Assisted a university student in accessing his official transcript after the University refused to release it.

• Successfully helped a college student appeal a disciplinary suspension from her university on the basis that the saction issued was disproportionate.

• Assisted a medical student through the University’s grievance process following academic dismissal; client is now enrolled in their master’s program and will graduate in 1 semester.

• Assisted undergraduate student in appealing academic integrity charges and sanctions issued against her; University agreed to modify the sanctions to have a less severe impact on the student given the circumstances.

• Assisted a College student with a Title IX investigation after he was falsely accused by another student. The complaint was dismissed early on in the investigation process and the accusation is not on the student’s record.

• Successfully negotiated a settlement with a University on behalf of a Ph.D. student who was inappropriately removed from an educational opportunity.

• Helped a medical school student get reinstated into the program after anxiety and personal circumstances led to her failure of two courses.

• Filed an appeal after a student was dismissed from a sonography program for mistakenly submitting another student’s assignment. After an explanation was provided, the school reversed the dismissal and allowed the student to continue in the program without re-taking the course at issue.

• Due to unclear and inconsistent policies, a college student client inadvertently missed a deadline that would have delayed her graduation. We worked with the university to secure an exception for the student, allowing her to graduate on time.

• Assisted a former nursing student receive a partial tuition refund after the college improperly required the student to retake a class.

• Obtained reinstatement for a nursing student who failed required courses by documenting the unique and personal circumstances that led to the failures, leading the college to reinstate the student into the program.

• Achieved course passage and on-time graduation for a nursing student after she was falsely accused of cheating, a charge which came with the sanctions of course failure and missed graduation, by successfully appealing the bogus academic misconduct charge.

• Successfully resolved matter for college student after the student’s graduation was delayed due to administrative failures by a University.

• Submitted a comprehensive Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights for a student who was discriminated against by her university.

• Successfully assisted nursing student through program reinstatement following dismissal.

• Assisted international student receive a tuition credit when he withdrew and transferred to a new university after the allowed period of time.

• Assisted a college student in removing a class from his transcript following university error.

• After a college student was accused of violating a university’s academic integrity and professionalism policy and given the maximum sanction, we assisted the client in the appeal process resulting in a sanction that was proportionate to the conduct.

• Successfully worked with a college to change the dismissal of a graduate student to an academic withdrawal so the student could transfer to another graduate program.

• After graduate student was dismissed from the program for academic reasons (despite successfully completing the remediation plan issued by the university), assisted the client in appealing the dismissal, resulting in a reversal and client’s immediate return to the program.

• Assisted college freshman in successfully appealing violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

*The results shown are not necessarily indicative of the results that could be expected in any other matter, as the circumstances of each case are unique and involve multiple factors to consider along with possible outcomes.