An Advocate Who Knows the System
When a child has special needs, the educational system can either work for them or against them. Parents who walk into IEP meetings, 504 reviews, manifestation determinations, or school disciplinary hearings often need an experienced advocate at their side — someone who knows the federal and state framework, knows how district processes actually run, and knows how to push for what the child is actually entitled to.
IEP & 504 Plan Representation
Jennifer represents parents in disputes over Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans — from initial eligibility determinations through goals, placement, accommodations, and related services. When a district isn't meeting its obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, parents have rights, and Jennifer helps them assert those rights effectively.
School Disciplinary Matters
Suspensions, expulsions, and disciplinary alternatives have outsized consequences for students with disabilities. Manifestation determination reviews, behavior intervention plans, and disciplinary appeals all require careful preparation and experienced advocacy. Jennifer represents children and parents through these proceedings with attention to the long-term educational impact.
Special Education Disputes
When negotiation breaks down, options include mediation, due process hearings, state complaints, and (when warranted) federal court action under IDEA. Jennifer brings two decades of administrative-hearing experience to special-education disputes — a familiarity with the procedural rules and a clear-eyed read on which path actually moves the case forward.
Parent Representation in District Hearings
Parents shouldn't walk into a roomful of district administrators alone. Jennifer represents parents in IEP team meetings, eligibility committees, and other district-level proceedings — preparing in advance, attending alongside the parent, and following up with appropriate written documentation to protect the family's position.
The law gives every child the right to a free appropriate public education. Making that right real takes preparation, persistence, and somebody in the room who knows what the district can and can't do.