Our firm provides personalized service by two experienced attorneys. We work with our clients on an individual basis until the matter is resolved. Your case will be handled by one of the partners of the firm who will be fully familiar with your case and available to you at all times.
Our firm concentrates on assisting parents and students in all areas of education law and disability law. There are many laws and regulations as well as policies that are involved in representing students and parents in the area of education law. A parent or student looking for an attorney to represent them should ask questions regarding the expertise and knowledge of the attorney in the area they wish to be represented. The attorney you choose should be familiar with the regulations of the Commissioner of Education in New York State, school district policies and procedures, the IDEA 2004, the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as well as case law in the area of education law, the ADA and Section 504.
2. Should we hire an attorney for an impartial hearing?
We are of the opinion that all parents who are contemplating any type of due process (impartial hearing) proceeding should have an attorney before initiating this proceeding. The new IDEA does not allow amendments of complaints without further delaying the hearing process and if the matter is not raised in the complaint it may not be raised at the impartial hearing. Though due process hearings are not as formal as court proceedings the proceeding is one that requires an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law and is familiar with the impartial hearing process. At our firm we believe that we can help parents navigate through the special education process and many times can avoid the necessity of long and protracted due process hearings and legal proceedings. If the matter is not resolved the Firm has experience in special education and Section 504 hearings as well as the appeals process which follows. Because the laws in this area are very specific and complex it is our opinion that parents should have representation by attorneys who are experienced in this area of the law.
3. Should we hire an attorney for a school suspension hearing?
Many times an attorney can assist parents in school suspension hearings. There are procedural guidelines which school districts (and colleges) must follow in order to suspend a student from school or college. An attorney who is versed in this area of law can ensure that the proper procedures are followed and that the student receives representation in this area. For public school students if the student is a student with a disability the student has the right to have certain procedures followed before the student can be suspended for more than ten school days for most violations of school rules. As attorneys who have experience in this area we can assist in providing representation at both the suspension hearing and the manifestation meetings for students with disabilities.
BERGER & BRANDOW, LLP 1344 Stony Brook Road One Suffolk Square, Suite 315 Stony Brook, New York, 11790 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway Telephone: 631-689-7404 Islandia, New York, 11749 Facsimile: 631-689-7408 Telephone: 631-630-6982 Facsimile: 631-630-6983
