Education Law

Special Education Lawyers in Columbia, Maryland

THE LAW

Several of the attorneys at Family Legal Advocacy Group are former educators with years of experience working with disadvantaged and special education students. We combine the knowledge of an educator with the advocacy skills of an attorney.

Education is the key to any child’s future. While prosperity often yields opportunity and poverty signifies struggle, education is the bridge that unites all socioeconomic groups provided that proactive, assertive, knowledgeable parents and guardians actively hold their child’s school system, and in particular their individual school, accountable.

This is particularly important when your child has special needs.
In such instances, it is of utmost importance that there is a voice for the child advocating for a free, appropriate public education as mandated by the Individual Disability Education Act.

While there should be consistency regarding educational services for special education students, the reality is that:

  • resources
  • class size
  • competency of the educator
  • lack of safeguards within the special education system

all impact the identification of special education students and the services provided to them.

If you believe that your child is not succeeding academically, it is important that you request that your child be tested to determine whether they have any qualifying condition that would entitle them to special education services. If they have a qualifying condition, their school must develop an Individualized Education Plan/Program (IEP) that specifically addresses their special needs through implementation of specialized services.    

Most parents:

  • are not special education teachers
  • do not have extensive educational training
  • have not studied special education law

In such instances, you are at the mercy of a school system that may allow your child, who is most in need of services, to fall through the cracks and have no opportunity to make progress toward his or her full potential.  To ensure your child receives the services to which they are entitled, an attorney advocate can be extremely helpful to your child’s educational success.

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY FLAG

Family Legal Advocacy Group’s attorneys are experienced educators and advocates for services for your special needs child.
Education cases do not have to be adversarial. Often, identifying and communicating problems to your child’s special education team will yield positive actions from your child’s school.  This is how an attorney can be a valuable resource.

FLAG attorneys will assist parents or guardians in ensuring that the school:

  • provides testing for your child
  • implements an appropriate IEP if applicable
  • complies with all terms of the IEP
  • is in compliance with the federal law on special education
  • is not acting in an unreasonable, confrontational, superiority-based manner that requires a due process hearing

Often, children receive the most benefit from advocates that ensure compliance with the law rather than spending months preparing for trial after the school system has violated the law. The safeguards are in place, you must hold all parties accountable.

There are instances where schools are either violating the law and refusing to implement corrective action or continuing to act in a manner that necessitates a due process hearing.  In such instances, FLAG attorneys are prepared and experienced in presenting your cases before an administrative law, circuit or federal court judge.

Your child has a right to be educated and make progress towards his or her educational potential.

Call our office (410) 884-0400 to schedule an Initial Consultation to discuss your legal rights.

Click to read our Blog articles on Education Law.

Our Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Have to Say
  • "Anna Lindner walked me through the roughest time in my life. She was patient, understanding, resourceful, responsive, and comforting while also being my strength and confidence. She was aggressive when she needed to be and fought for what I deserved."
    David
  • "Emily was fantastic to work with! She walked me through every step along the way and made sure I was comfortable with what was happening. She is patient, kind, and understanding but also fights for what her client deserves."
    Becky
  • "Ms. Laynor was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and thorough throughout the time we worked together."
    Kimberly
  • "Sarah has the unique ability to get right to the point and tell it ” like it is” while also being sensitive and considerate, which means that she isn’t wasting time and racking up needless billable hours."
    Janine
  • "Anna Lindner was very helpful through the entire process, professional and very responsive."
    Amanda
  • "Ms. Thomas was a pleasure to work with during my case. She was an excellent advocate for my son and won my case for him. He now has all the help he needs in school because of her determination."
    Toula
  • "Anne Kelly Laynor was extremely prepared and always in control of the situation. Most importantly for me though, she was a calming force during an extremely emotional time. I feel extremely lucky and even grateful to have had her by my side."
    Former Client

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