Knowledgeable and Dedicated Albany Education Lawyers
At Tully Rinckey, our team of New York education lawyers represents both students and parents, as well as school districts and educators, in their education law matters.
Having assisted countless individuals in K-12, college, and other graduate programs all across New York State, our attorneys are experienced with many of the complex nuances in New York’s educational environment. From fighting for our client’s right to provide the student with a Free Appropriate Public Education as required by the IDEA, to fighting conduct violations and Title IX issues, and 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 dedicated team of education law attorneys has experience practicing in school districts throughout the Capital Region, including in areas around Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Columbia, Warren, Schoharie, and Greene counties.
Regardless of what educational matter you are facing, your needs will receive our highest care and attention, and we will deliver a solution that meets your needs. Call or email us today to find out how we can assist you.
What We Do
Our attorneys have handled numerous matters for school officials, districts, and educators, including:
- Advising and counseling on disciplinary matters
- Handling parent issues with teachers/faculty
- Reviewing and formatting superintendent meeting minutes
- Drafting and revising employee handbooks
- Representing academies in employment discrimination cases before federal and state courts, the EEOC, and NYS Human Rights Commission
- Reviewing contracts and agreements involving academies/institutions
- Communicating with law enforcement on investigations involving teachers
Additionally, our attorneys are familiar with many other aspects of education law, including areas around ADA/special education accommodations. 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
- Preparing and filing Due Process Complaints
- Appeals to State Review Officers
Preparing and sending letters demanding remedies for the violation of a 504 Plan. Our attorneys also have experience with discrimination and misconduct matters. Having assisted clients with public-school superintendent’s hearings and facing college/university disciplinary committees, our attorneys have a clear understanding of how these processes work and the quick timeframes they operate in. We also have experience with Title IX investigations/hearings.
Why Do I Need an Education Law Attorney?
School disciplinary hearings are usually handled in a way similar to a court hearing or trial, with the exception that these hearings are not legally required to adhere to standard court norms. Students are not usually presumed innocent until proven guilty, and while schools’ regulations typically provide for due process for the accused student, this does not always apply in practice. Because the review board is familiar with the system and the accused student is not, the accused student is automatically at a disadvantage. And, because these schools are under public pressure to keep their reputations clean, they have a tendency to dispense justice quickly, often before a student can understand what is going on.
Students who are not facing disciplinary action but have an educational dispute with the school, such as academic progression issues or ADA issues, face similar disadvantages. Without the support of an education attorney, these students and their parents may be unable to mount a successful argument or, worse, may be obliged to accept the student’s destiny without even making a complaint.