attorney who has successfully sued jeffco school district

by Milford Douglas 7 min read

Can a law firm defend a school district against a lawsuit?

Jan 10, 2020 · JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — The Jefferson County R-1 School District is facing a federal lawsuit alleging the district and some school leaders who worked at Everitt Middle School during the 2016 ...

Can a student file a lawsuit for special education programs?

Oct 02, 2020 · A freshman at Alameda High School is suing Jefferson County Public Schools in federal court, alleging a 17-year-old student followed her home from school and raped her, and the school system ...

Can a private school be sued?

Jun 26, 2018 · Jefferson County Public Schools Forced to Pay Out on Another Lawsuit. June 26, 2018 by Daniel Kalish. In the aftermath of a trial that saw Karen Ray, a Jefferson County High School journalism teacher, awarded $225,000 in punitive damages for sexual and age discrimination, two new trials emerged targeting the very same school district.

How do I sue a school district?

Apr 22, 2016 · By Jeffrey A. Roberts. CFOIC Executive Director. A Jefferson County charter school violated Colorado’s Sunshine Law and retaliated against a family when the parents asked questions about their daughters’ education, a lawsuit claims. Alex and Joanne McDaniel contend they were compelled to file a legal action against Montessori Peaks Academy to “obtain …

How much did the JCPS settle the lawsuit against Guitard?

The district itself will be forced to pay $250,000 to Guitard on top of $45,000 from the district’s insurance company. The insurance company is also to cover Guitard’s attorney fees, which are $105,000.

How much did Karen Ray get in the trial?

In the aftermath of a trial that saw Karen Ray, a Jefferson County High School journalism teacher, awarded $225,000 in punitive damages for sexual and age discrimination, two new trials emerged targeting the very same school district.

How to sue a school?

Important Step to Sue a School: File an Administrative Complaint Before You File a Lawsuit Against the School. Each school district has a special process that a plaintiff will be required to adhere to before they can file a lawsuit against the district or a particular school in court. Although these procedures can vary widely from school district ...

What is the most important step in a school district lawsuit?

One of the most important steps in suing a school district is determining the cause of action. A “cause of action” is a legal term that refers to the set of facts that establish the grounds to justify bringing a lawsuit. Basically, if a plaintiff can demonstrate that a certain set of facts would allow them to seek redress against another party ...

What is administrative complaint?

An administrative complaint is a document that gets submitted to a government agency in the state where the school district is located. In most cases, this is usually the state’s department of education.

Can a private school be sued?

Thus, a private school can be sued without having to file an administrative complaint.

Is a public school a government entity?

So, if a public school is recognized as a government entity, then this means it enjoys the privileges provided by this doctrine. Another difference between suing a private school district versus suing a public one is that filing a claim against a private school district only requires following the standard steps of a regular lawsuit.

What information is included in a complaint?

The complaint will contain information, such as which law the plaintiff believes was violated, a statement of facts, additional documentation that supports the complaint, and the plaintiff’s recommendation for resolving the issue in question.

How long does it take to get a case investigated?

They may also request further evidence from the plaintiff during the investigation period. It usually takes around 60 days to complete the entire investigation. In cases where a local agency handled the issue, the plaintiff can contact a state’s department of education to investigate the matter even further.

What happens if you sue a school district?

If you sue a school district, the district will hire its own counsel. The district may hire a single attorney, or it may hire an entire law firm. A law firm, as opposed to a solo practicing attorney, holds the advantage of having many attorneys to draw on for expertise and having more resources to cover expenses.

What does a school district attorney do?

The school district will pay for the legal services directly without going through a law firm. Counsel hired by the district as general counsel usually handle daily legal questions, contractual issues and smaller lawsuits involving simpler laws, such as open records requests or procedural questions for school board meetings. However, these attorneys may also advise on more complex lawsuits, typically with the assistance of a firm or attorney separately hired for a specific lawsuit.

What is an education law attorney?

Education law attorneys typically handle such matters as student rights, student discipline, bullying, harassment and school governance; if your issues involve other types of problems, another type of lawyer may be appropriate.

What is a slip and fall lawsuit?

Lawsuits brought by parents and students against a school district could be anything from a slip-and-fall case to a violation by the school district of local, state, or federal statutes. You'll need to hire a lawyer that specializes in the type of legal problem you're experiencing. For example, if your child has been injured on school premises, ...

What is a union attorney?

In addition, union attorneys are frequently used in the course of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. When the union and the school district are unable to reach agreement through negotiation or arbitration, the agreement occasionally proceeds to the courts, where a union attorney will represent the district's employees.

What to do if your child is being bullied?

For example, if your child has been injured on school premises, you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer. If you think your child is being bullied, has special needs that are not being met or is facing discriminatory practices or harassment from educators and other staff, you'll need an education lawyer.