New York State Education Lawyers

When it comes to assessing the unique challenges that come with addressing what students, parents, educators, and administrators face, the New York Education Law attorneys at Tully Rinckey stand out by having a deep and thorough understanding of New York’s ever-increasingly complex education law and environment.

Our experienced education law attorneys have assisted many students and parents throughout New York State, including in areas such as Albany, Buffalo, Manhattan and New York City, Syracuse, and White Plains.

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Experienced and Dedicated New York Education Lawyers

Disagreements and disputes are unfortunately commonplace in many schools and universities throughout New York State between students and their parents, staff and faculty, and the school districts themselves. Many times, hardline stances are taken that can put the education of the student at risk, derailing their academic progress and possible future as well.

As such, when it comes to addressing your education-related disputes, it may not be advisable to try and “go it alone.” If you find yourself at odds with a school, you need an experienced legal team that will help you understand the intricacies of your unique situation and what options you have before you.

At Tully Rinckey, our team of experienced education law attorneys provides comprehensive legal representation to a broad variety of different clients across New York State and City. From elementary schools to universities, both private and public, our attorneys have seen cases like yours and will utilize our vast experience in education law to defend your interests and achieve your goals.

School District Denial of Necessary Accommodations

The attorneys at Tully Rinckey understand how frustrating it can be when a public school district fails to provide necessary accommodations for your child in school or when a district recommends services or restrictions that your high-functioning child may not need. We’re committed to helping you assert your rights and those of your child. Our team can advise you on how to obtain better programs and services for your child so that they receive the best possible education.

Our attorneys serve as zealous advocates for children with special needs, assisting parents with:

  • Attending IEP meetings with our parent-clients;
  • Obtaining remedial education and educational placement;
  • Structuring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or plans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504 Plans);
  • Securing required and/or appropriate evaluations;
  • Obtaining speech, occupational, physical therapy, or other special education services;
  • Due process Complaints and Hearings; and
  • Appeals to State Review Officers.

Don’t let you or your student be at an academic disadvantage due to a public-school district’s refusal to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education. While your child’s school district might say otherwise, Federal and New York State Law guarantee your child a Free Appropriate Public Education. To learn more about how we can assist with securing special education programs or other accommodations, visit our subpage on the topic here.

Student Misconduct

Whether your student is facing a public-school superintendent’s hearing or a college or university disciplinary committee, there is often much more at stake than just a slap on the wrist. Penalties for infractions of a school’s or university’s conduct or honor code can range from minor reprimands to probationary punishments, long term suspensions, and even expulsion. This can not only threaten you or your student’s education but could also lead to expensive fines and wasted tuition or result in a permanent mark on your academic record.

In addition to conduct violations, all federally funded educational institutions have separate departments to handle all Title IX violations. Should your allegation fall under Title IX, you could face even more consequences or have an additional investigation from your school’s Title IX department.

Unfortunately, many students do not have a clear understanding of how these processes work, and with the quick timeframes they have to defend themselves, they are often left to the whims of the university’s or school’s disciplinary committee. Without proper due process and experienced counsel, you or your student’s educational and professional careers could end all together due to a misstep or misunderstanding.

Faculty and Staff Disciplinary Issues

Students aren’t the only ones who risk disciplinary action as a result of charges of wrongdoing. School educators, professors, staff, and other employees are regularly targets of unjust accusations—either by coworkers, students, or parents. School boards have an obligation to examine these claims and, if required, execute disciplinary punishment, even if the evidence is inconclusive. In such cases, faculty and staff require the assistance of an employment attorney advisor to ensure their rights are protected and to assist them in preparing a strong defense.

Residency Investigations

Parents and school administrators will sometimes disagree over whether a student may enroll in or continue attending a public school based on their place of residence. While school districts can make the initial determination regarding a student’s right to attend a school, there are extensive procedural protections to ensure students are not denied enrollment without the opportunity for a fair hearing and that a student’s education is not disrupted pending resolution of a residency dispute.

Our team can review notices of residency investigations sent by the school district and review residency investigation evidence files. Additionally, our team of attorneys has experience drafting responses to school districts in response to notice of residency investigations.

Higher Education Law

For many years, Tully Rinckey higher education law attorneys have represented an array of students in nationally recognized and regional universities, larger research institutions, private colleges, religious-affiliated institutions, community colleges, and nursing schools. Our attorneys take great satisfaction in providing our clients with more than just legal advice; we work together with them on a daily basis to handle all of their educational challenges as if they were our own.

In some ways, legal expertise and proceedings are very similar between colleges and universities. However, each school is its own unique entity and is highly regulated. As such, you need an attorney who is familiar with your institution’s operations and community.

Our attorneys have experience helping our clients in higher education with the following:

  • Academic Appeals: We represent clients in their academic appeals of grades provided by their college or university.
  • Disciplinary investigations: We represent clients in disciplinary investigations initiated by their college or university.
  • Appeals of Disciplinary Actions: Our attorneys have experience filing appeals of a disciplinary action ordered by our clients’ university or college, such as an accusation of cheating, plagiarism, expulsion, suspension, department removal, or other academic dishonesty charge.
  • 504 Plans: We represent clients in ensuring their college or university provides accommodations for their physical and or non-physical disabilities. Our attorneys will ensure that the 504 Plan is complied with by the college or university.

Why You Need an Education Law Attorney

School disciplinary hearings are frequently conducted in a manner comparable to a court hearing or trial, with the difference that these hearings are not legally obligated to follow traditional court rules. Students are not always considered innocent until proven guilty, and while schools typically provide due process to the accused student in their policies, this does not always apply in practice. An accused student is automatically at a disadvantage because the review board is familiar with the procedure and the student is not. And, because these schools are under public pressure to keep their reputations clean, they tend to dispense justice quickly, often before a student can even regain their bearings.

Students who are not facing discipline but have a legitimate dispute with the school, such as academic progression disputes or ADA problems, face the same disadvantage. Without the assistance of an education attorney, these students and their parents would either be unable to mount a successful dispute or, worse, may be forced to accept the student's fate without even filing a disagreement.

How We Can Help

At Tully Rinckey, we can provide experienced advice to parents, teachers, students, and staff seeking to navigate all types of discipline and school dispute cases. From fighting for our client’s right to provide the student a Free Appropriate Public Education as required by the IDEA, conduct violations and Title IX issues to ADA and other academic issues, we have seen cases like yours and can provide you with the advice needed to get the results you seek.

Our attorneys have a thorough grasp of New York education law, and we regularly assist individuals in K-12, college, and other graduate programs all across New York State. Whether in Albany, Buffalo, Manhattan and New York City, Syracuse, White Plains, or anywhere in between, we can serve as an advisor to you regardless of your school’s location.

Contact Our Experienced Education Lawyers Today

At Tully Rinckey, our attorneys are here to help, no matter what issue you face. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys will handle your representation with the respect and care it deserves. We protect the rights of students and educational staff throughout New York State and City and will fight to help you maintain your educational career. Let us assist you today.
To schedule an initial consultation with a member of our experienced team, contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 8885294543 or info@tullylegal.com. You can also book your consultation online via the link below.
You can also use our secure Live Chat feature to connect with us regarding your matter. You will be connected with a member of our client relations team ready to assist you.

 

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