FOCUS AREAS

We’re Passionate About Education

We are a full-service education law firm offering comprehensive representation to our clients.

Educational institutions are under more scrutiny than ever before to provide results with transparency and accountability. Our deep and comprehensive experience perfectly compliments the core areas of our clients’ needs. Our attorneys understand the ways in which schools operate and are proactive in their counseling. We offer positive solutions that are perfectly suited for every unique situation.

We advise on all labor and employment matters, conduct investigations and vigorously defend our clients in litigation and administrative matters.

  • Employment Agreements and Retirement Benefits
  • Collective Bargaining Agreements and Union Grievance Resolution
  • Employment Disputes, including Harassment Claims
  • Accommodation Counseling and Litigation, including FMLA and ADA
  • Discrimination Investigations
  • Federal Law Compliance, including FERPA
  • Evaluation Protocols
  • Outsourcing Agreements
  • Teacher Tenure and Evaluation
  • Hiring and Firing
  • Workplace Safety
  • Labor-Related Issues

We serve as trusted advisors to our educational clients, guiding them through the full-range of issues governing boards and administration face, from day-to-day operational issues, personnel decisions and student-related challenges to budget and management concerns.

  • Real State Development
  • Board/Community Relations
  • Code of Conduct issues
  • Capital Improvements
  • Construction-Related Contracts
  • Competitive Bidding
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
  • Service Contracts
  • Equipment Financing
  • Facilities and Structures
  • Services Agreements
  • Borrowing, Deficit Funding and Restructuring
  • Property Tax and Securities
  • Open Meetings Act (OMA)
  • School Reform
  • Public Policy and Legislation

Download a copy of the IASB School Board Governance Basics

We work with our clients to ensure students have a safe and dynamic educational environment in which to learn and thrive, which can introduce significant challenges for school personnel to understand and navigate through the legal rights and responsibilities of students and staff.

  • Student Codes of Conduct
  • Student Rights – Free Speech, Religious Exercise and Expression
  • Nondiscrimination, Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance
  • Student Discipline, including Suspension and Expulsion Procedures, Hearings and Appeals
  • Drug and Alcohol Testing
  • Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Cyberbullying
  • Student and School Safety, Campus Security and Threats
  • Inter-District Transfers and Open Enrollment
  • School Closures and Boundary Adjustments
  • Student Records and Privacy Issues
  • Attendance, Residency, Guardianship, Homelessness and Enrollment Issues
  • Complaint Procedures, Investigations, Responses and Training
  • Custody Issues, Parental Rights and Responsibilities
  • Uniform Complaint Procedure Investigations and Reports
  • Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Complaint Investigation and Resolution
  • Dress Code, Policies and Procedures

We are exceptional in helping school districts navigate these complex and often emotional situations, and doing so in a manner that is positive and reasonable for all involved parties.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Investigations
  • Eligibility Determinations and Accommodations
  • Individualized Education Assessments
  • IEP-Related Services and Behavior Plans
  • Least Restrictive Environment Placement
  • Free and Appropriate Public Education Issues
  • Risk Avoidance and Litigation Prevention Strategies
  • Compliance with State and Federal Laws

Other Services

Legislative Advocacy

Frequently, our clients are leaders in driving educational change through legislation.  Kriha Boucek is lucky to have attorneys with experience in the legislative process, from writing legislative language, finding sponsors, navigating the politics, and implementing new law.

Crisis Management and Community Relations

Our attorneys are not only capable of advising on legal issues for educators, we have a unique understanding of the board/community dynamic.  We can help you navigate difficult situations by writing press releases, implementing task forces, conducting investigations, and serving as spokesperson for the school district.

Mediation

Coming Soon!  Kriha Boucek is committed to resolving disputes in productive and collaborative ways, so much so that two of our attorneys were scheduled to attend training to be certified mediators in April before the shelter at home order took place.  As soon as the program resumes, we will be proud to have certified mediators on our staff to assist our clients in resolving community, employee, student, and parent conflicts in an alternative way.