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Education Law Services at The Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates
Getting your child the educational services they need shouldn't require a legal battle. But when school districts fail to meet their obligations under federal and state special education law, parents need an experienced lawyer who understands both the legal framework and the practical realities of working with public educational institutions.
The Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates provides comprehensive legal services for families navigating the special education system on Long Island and throughout New York. We also provide comprehensive legal services for families dealing with student disciplinary issues, suspensions, bullying and school refusal. These are emotional issues for a family and it is our goal to take off the pressure while best serving your child’s needs. Whether you need guidance preparing for a CSE meeting, representation to advocate for appropriate services, or litigation to enforce your child's rights, we provide the level of support that fits your situation and goals. Call today at (516) 221-8133.
Your Options for Legal Support
Not every family needs the same level of legal involvement. Some parents benefit from consultation and advice as they navigate the process independently, while others need an attorney present at meetings or representing them in formal proceedings. We work with families at every stage of the special education process, tailoring our services to match your needs.
Consultation Services for Parents Navigating the Special Education Process
Many parents are comfortable attending CSE meetings and communicating with school districts on their own, but they need legal guidance to understand their rights, evaluate what the district is proposing and advocate effectively for their child. Our consultation services provide that guidance without requiring full legal representation.
During consultation sessions, we can:
- Review your child's evaluations and reports to help you understand what they mean and what services they may support
- Discuss what should be included in your child's IEP based on their unique needs
- Prepare you for upcoming CSE meetings by explaining what to expect and how to advocate effectively
- Explain your rights and options under the law
- Determine additional documents that you may need to obtain services you are seeking
- Explain the possibility of obtaining an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Consultation services are particularly valuable when you feel capable of participating in the process yourself but want to make sure you're fully informed and prepared. Many parents find that a consultation before a critical CSE meeting gives them the confidence and knowledge they need to advocate effectively for their child.
Representation at Committee on Special Education Meetings
Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings are where critical decisions are made about your child's educational programming. The district develops or revises your child's IEP, determines what services they'll receive, develops goals in what they deem to be their area of deficit and decides where those services will be provided. As a parent, you are entitled by law to “meaningful participation” at these meetings. Having an attorney present ensures your voice is heard and your child's interests are effectively represented.
When we represent you at CSE meetings, we come prepared with a thorough understanding of your child's needs, a specific plan of what we want to ensure is addressed, the evaluations and assessments that support specific services and often with accompanying evaluators or others who can provide valuable input about your child. We advocate for IEP goals that are meaningful and appropriately ambitious, services that are adequate in both type and frequency, appropriate educational classifications, and placements that provide your child with the support they need to feel safe, comfortable and available for learning.
Our presence at CSE meetings sends a clear message that you know your rights and are serious about ensuring your child receives appropriate services. Many parents find that having an attorney at the table changes the dynamic and often results in more appropriate IEPs developed through collaboration, without the need for litigation.
Litigation
When disagreements between parents and school districts cannot be resolved through negotiation and collaboration at CSE meetings, due process hearings provide a formal legal mechanism for resolving disputes. These are administrative proceedings where both sides present evidence and arguments before an Impartial Hearing Officer who issues a Finding of Fact and Decision (FOFD).
Due process hearings require specialized knowledge of special education law, administrative hearing procedures and litigation skills, such as direct and cross examination, motion practice, drafting legal complaints, subpoenas, motions and Memoranda of Law.
We pursue litigation when the school district has failed to offer your child a free appropriate public education (FAPE), in a variety of situations including:
- Inadequate evaluations that fail to identify your child's needs
- We submit answers and file appeals to the New York State Review Office (SRO) and the NYS Commissioner of Education, when required. Our legal and practical knowledge of this process by experienced attorneys enables you to know that the written legal documents are being served on your behalf.
- Where necessary, the firm will represent you in Federal Court to ensure that lower court decisions are fairly and accurately reviewed by an appeals court. This involves filing and answering appeals, motion practice and briefing arguments before a Federal Court Judge.
- IEP goals or services that don't address your child’s needs
- Inappropriate placement recommendations resulting in private unilateral placement
- Failure to implement IEP mandated services
- Failure to identify your child as a student eligible for services
- Historical failure to offer appropriate services
- Failure to provide Independent Educational Evaluation
A significant portion of our litigation work involves seeking tuition reimbursement for private school placements. When a school district fails to offer an appropriate public school program and you've placed your child in a private school that meets their needs, you may be entitled to reimbursement for that private school tuition.
We have successfully represented thousands of families in litigation throughout Long Island and NYC, securing outcomes that include changes to IEP recommendations, appropriate placements, tuition reimbursement for private school costs, and compensatory education to make up for services the district failed to provide.
Additional Services
- Disciplinary Matters
The firm represents students in Disciplinary Matters including appearances at Superintendent’s Hearings and Manifestation Review meetings. We have successfully achieved the expungement of disciplinary records and reduction in penalties imposed, allowing students to return to school as quickly as possible.
The firm represents students who have been bullied or mistreated under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), which aims to create a safe and supportive educational environment by preventing bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Independent Educational Evaluations
The firm assists parents in obtaining Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) at public expense in instances where you disagree with the evaluation performed by your school district.
- Guardianship Proceedings and Special Needs Trusts
The firm handles guardianship proceedings to ensure the protection of the estate of your minor child. A Special Needs Trust may also be necessary to ensure that your child receives financial support without negatively affecting entitlements to government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Educational Records / FERPA
We assist parents in obtaining all educational records, ensuring the accuracy of such records, and ensuring the privacy of educational records from excluded third parties pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
One of our newest pilot programs, we partner with therapists, counselors, and those that provide services for children and teens with special needs to provide greater support to your clients. This service allows parents to benefit from our expertise in advocating for students’ rights at CSE meetings for decades, without incurring the expense of retaining lawyers.
When to Seek Legal Representation
Consider contacting us if your school district is proposing services you believe are inappropriate or inadequate; if you are preparing for a CSE meeting where important decisions will be made; if your district has denied requests for evaluations or services your child needs; if you are considering an alternative private school setting and want to understand your rights; if the district is not implementing services already in your child's IEP; or you have reached an impasse and informal attempts to resolve disagreements have failed.
Early legal involvement can often prevent disputes from escalating to the point where litigation becomes necessary.
Why Experience Matters in Special Education Law
Susan J. Deedy has been practicing special education law for decades and is recognized throughout New York as a leading voice for families and students with special needs. This experience means we understand the legal nuances that apply to your case; we know what services and supports are appropriate for different disabilities; and we are familiar with both public programs and private schools throughout the region.
Areas We Serve
The Law Offices of Susan J. Deedy & Associates represents families throughout Long Island and New York City. Our headquarters is located on Long Island, and we have extensive experience working with school districts throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County. We provide representation to families in New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as Westchester County and other areas throughout New York State.
Get Started With Legal Representation
Contact us today at (516) 221-8133 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We will discuss your child's situation, explain your legal rights and options and help you determine what level of legal support makes sense for your circumstances. Your child deserves an educational program that addresses their needs and supports their growth. We are here to help you make that happen.
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