IEP/CSE Meetings

We will meet with you as needed to prepare you for any necessary meetings with your child or young adult’s school district. We will work together to determine the most appropriate services available and discuss how to effectively seek those services at any IEP meetings.

Together, we will define the range of goals for their IEP and outline your expectations. We will prepare you to comprehensively present these objectives at your child or young adult’s meeting and achieve your goals.

If warranted, we will accompany you to the IEP meeting to be an advocate on their behalf. There are many strategic reasons why a lawyer should and should not attend these meetings, and we will discuss this at our initial consultation.

Negotiation with the School District

In some cases, even after a collaborative CSE meeting is held, the services recommended by the school district are insufficient. In such cases, there is the opportunity to raise concerns with the school district in an effort to reach an agreement/settlement regarding the services or programs provided to your child or young adult. In some cases, this may include settlement as to tuition amounts for private school placement.

Impartial (Due Process) Hearing

Should all other efforts to obtain the necessary services be unsuccessful, we will guide you through, and advocate on your behalf at, an impartial/due process hearing. While this process will be discussed in further detail at your initial consultation, it often involves the presentation of witnesses and will include your active participation in the hearing process.

Litigation and/or Appeals

On some rare occasions, even after the completion of the hearing process, we will need to continue to seek proper services and programs for a student. Should such an occasion occur, we will discuss with you the possibility of seeking an appeal to the Office of State Review or instituting an appropriate Court action on your child’s behalf in either State or Federal Court.

Disciplinary Matters

Should your child or young adult be accused of committing an offense or violating a particular policy of the school, that student, whether formally classified with a disability or not, has legal rights. We will work with you to attempt to negotiate a resolution with the school district.

Appeals of Residency Determinations

Students in New York are entitled to attend public school in their district of residence. Parents and school districts may disagree on whether a particular student or family resides within that district. We will work with you on an appeal to the Commissioner of Education to determine which district your child is a resident of.

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