Contact

Ruth Pack-Adler, Esq.

ruth@education-rights.com

RUTH PACK-ADLER, ESQ.

Ruth practices statewide in Ohio and focuses her practice on special education law, juvenile law and disability rights.

Ruth received her Bachelor of Science in Advertising Communications from the University of Florida, and worked in the Dade County (Miami, FL) Public Schools as a teacher for 2 years after graduating college. During a year-long assignment as a classroom teacher for "at risk" students, Ruth decided to attend law school, with plans to work in the fields of education and juvenile justice. She received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, spending her final year of law school at The Ohio State University as a visiting student. Ruth began her legal career as a general practice attorney, focusing on juvenile matters, criminal defense, domestic relations, and personal injury representation. She began to explore the nexus between educational law and juvenile criminal matters early on in her practice, and became passionate about advocacy for special needs students and their families. She has been counsel and resource to families with special needs children, assisting parents in navigating a complex system of services with school systems, insurance companies and medical providers, for nearly 25 years. 

Ruth returned to the practice of law following a 12 year stint in financial services compliance, specializing in federal regulatory compliance, with a focus on fair banking regulations. In her corporate role, Ruth utilized her legal training to timely spot issues, propose practical solutions, and foster proactive relationships with team members and business partners. Her time in the corporate world also allowed her to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, where she served on the leadership teams of various Employee Resource Groups, served as a mentor with Disability IN, and supervised a high school intern for two years through a corporate/school partnership.

Ruth and her husband are the proud parents of two children, who both now live and work in New York City after attending college there. Ruth has served as an advocate for Ohio's Help Me Grow program, and volunteers with the Childhood League Center, her synagogue, the Columbus Community Kollel and other community organizations. Outside of the practice of law, Ruth enjoys traveling, reading and entertaining, and looks forward to many adventures now that her nest is empty.

Education

Juris Doctor, University of Miami School of Law, Miami, Florida

Bachelor of Science, Advertising Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Bar Admissions

1997 Ohio; United States District Court, SD Ohio 1998;

2010 Missouri; United States District Court, ED Missouri 2024

Practice Areas

k12 School Law, Special Education, Student Rights, Juvenile

Presentations + Trainings

Co-Presenter, Special Ed. Advocacy Tips: Learning the Language of Special Education, AW Student Rights Conference, July 2024

Co-Presenter, Beyond K-12: Transition & Post-Graduation Planning, AW Student Rights Conference, July 2024

Co-Presenter, Swipe Right: Legal Insights for Parents in the World of Sexting + Social Media, AW Student Rights Conference, July 2024

Recent Representative Cases*

k12 Student Representation:

  • Successfully petitioned a middle school to offer a reduced number of days of suspension on behalf of a student.

  • Over the course of 8 months, worked with our firm advocate to support an elementary school student and her family, as we attempted to resolve disputes as to the adequacy of the services the student was receiving in her home district. After weeks of negotiations, we settled the matter on behalf of the student, securing the services she is entitled to and looking ahead to her successful future. In the process, the family learned critical advocacy skills and has built a network of professionals who are committed to supporting other students.

  • Successfully advocated in a suspension appeal for a lessor code of conduct violation following a school’s documented overreach in their initial charge.

  • Successfully represented a k12 student in an emergency removal hearing; no disciplinary action was taken and the student returned to school with helpful and needed support from school administrators.

  • Represented two separate families in order to advocate for their non-verbal, special needs children who were accidently left on school buses.

  • Reached a positive consensual outcome in a manifestation determination hearing, resulting in additional protections for the student and limited out-of-school time for the student accused of code of conduct violations.

  • Researched and provided advice on a school’s responsibility to gain parental consent for student use of technology.

  • Advocated for a student-client facing expulsion; worked with a school team (school superintendent, vice principal, parents, student and therapist) to avoid expulsion and set the student up for success in a new placement.

  • Assisted client in advocating for updated language for the Ohio High School Athletic Association Guidelines to provide protections for her son who is a student athlete with diabetes. OSHAA rules now allow diabetic students to wear their medically necessary blood sugar monitoring devices and insulin pumps while participating in sporting events, without fear of disqualification based on equipment placement.

  • Accompanied clients to view a video of an incident that happened to their child on a school bus following school being resistant to maintaining the video and showing it to the parents.

  • Together with our special education advocate, acheived greatly enhanced interventions for our client, a 7-year-old child with suspected autism. Had a collaborative and productive IEP meeting as well. 

  • With the help of Danielle (our advocate), we successfully advocated for a student previously serviced by a 504 plan to be evaluated for additional services. The student now has a robust IEP with goals to address his executive functioning needs, develop his social skills, encourage and incentivize appropriate behavior, and provide the academic support he needs to be successful.

College Student Representation:

  • Resolved a sorority member’s pending investigation and possible discipline through a private agreement with the sorority.

  • Helped identify and eliminate a college’s discriminatory application process.

  • Worked with a college student and his family to put safeguards in place that ensure his privacy related to a medical leave of absence. The safeguards implemented were designed by the student himself.

  • Assisted a college student with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, who sought to transfer from a community college to a 4-year university, to advocate for and successfully receive supports from the college's office of disability services.

Juvenile Court Representation:

  • Successfully argued for a juvenile criminal matter to be handled via Juvenile Rule 29(F)(2)(C) hold open.

  • Successfully argued for a 13-year-old's criminal file to be sealed a year and a half after the disposition of his M1 adjudication. Set expectations for how the hearing would be handled, helped client feel comfortable (even getting permission from the Judge to allow him to wear his special hat and have fidgets in court) and advocated strongly on his behalf.

  • Represented client in juvenile court and successfully argued a Motion for a Competency Evaluation, due to the client’s age (9 y/o) and disabilities (ADHA, Autism, ODD).

  • Obtained a reduction in charge from an F3 to an M4 for a juvenile client. Worked with judge, probation officer and prosecutor to help the client put the incident behind him and focus on providing supports to prevent future delinquency.

*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.