High-profile ongoing federal case challenging discriminatory treatment of a student with disabilities. Allegations include unconstitutional segregation and ADA violations after the student with a disability was placed in a former storage closet and separated from peers at graduation. The case continues to draw national attention and highlights the fight for dignity and equal treatment in education.

Appellate affirmation of a significant district court victory. The Sixth Circuit upheld that the district violated IDEA, ADA, and Section 504 by masking, rather than addressing – the student’s dyslexia, and affirmed an award of 888 hours of compensatory dyslexia-specific intervention.

Successful outcome in a case involving delayed evaluations and services. The court found the district failed to timely identify the child’s disability and provide adequate dyslexia-specific accommodations, violating the student’s rights under IDEA and ADA.

Major appellate win affirming IDEA, ADA, and Section 504 violations. The court held that the student had improperly proposed an overly restrictive educational setting, cementing critical precedent for inclusion and appropriate placement for students with disabilities.

District court victory reinforcing student rights under IDEA. The court concluded that the district’s IEP failed to meet both procedural and substantive requirements, continuing a series of wins in this multi-phase case.

Landmark appellate win for a student with dyslexia. The Sixth Circuit affirmed violations of the IDEA, ADA, and Section 504, and upheld an order for 888 hours of compensatory education, setting a powerful precedent for literacy-based claims.

Favorable outcome in systemic challenge to state education policies. The ruling recognized failures under IDEA and the ADA, emphasizing the state’s duty to ensure safe and equitable access to education for students with disabilities.

Victory for student denied proper services and evaluations. The court determined the district violated the IDEA and Section 504, strengthening protections for students in rural districts.

Successful ruling in favor of student with disabilities. The court found the state failed to implement proper procedural safeguards and denied the student a free appropriate public education under IDEA, reinforcing accountability in IEP implementation.

Successful outcome for student with disabilities in a case involving inadequate evaluations and services. The court ruled that the state failed to meet its obligations under IDEA and Section 504, reinforcing the right to individualized support and proper educational planning.

Favorable ruling for a student denied adequate special education services, with the court finding serious procedural violations and failure to provide FAPE under the IDEA.

Initial victory in multi-stage litigation concerning an autistic student placed in an overly restrictive environment. The court found multiple violations of the IDEA and procedural safeguards intended to protect student rights.

Successful challenge to the state’s failure to comply with IDEA obligations. The case highlighted systemic delays and inadequate evaluations, ensuring better oversight of special education services across Tennessee.

Direct action in federal court appropriate for damages where school denied child proper communication device.

Requiring school district to defend 504 and ADA claims in addition to IDEA claims before an administrative law judge.

Holding school’s proposed removal of a second grade child with Down syndrome from the general education classroom at his neighborhood school into a comprehensive development classroom (“CDC”) at his non-neighborhood school was more restrictive than necessary; aff’d L.H. v. Hamilton Cty. Dep’t of Educ., 900 F.3d 779 (6th Cir. 2018) Establishing standard for inclusion of children with special needs in the Sixth Circuit and selected as National Case of the Year for Special Education in 2018.

Establishing rights for preschool children with disabilities in Clarksville to be included in general education preschool classrooms.

Kindergarten child with Down syndrome in Carthage, Tennessee has right to mainstream education.

Defeating summary judgment against school district which busses students with epilepsy to other schools in Knoxville; S.P. v. Knox Cty. Bd. of Educ., 388 F. Supp. 3d 947, 952 (E.D. Tenn. 2019)

Denying Defendant’s motion for summary judgment on 504/ADA retaliation claims by parents and child with severe peanut allergies against principal and school.

Students may pursue claims in federal court against Tennessee Department of Education for failing to properly monitor restraints and isolations in school districts.

TDOE and Knox County properly sued for allegedly rewarding more restrictive environments than necessary.

Approval of $185,000 to child with Down syndrome for alleged systemic violation of rights.

The State may be sued for violating rights of child with Down syndrome in county school system.

Win in Title IX and constitutional rights case. The court allowed claims to proceed involving the school district’s failure to address sexual harassment complaints, reinforcing protections for students under federal civil rights laws.

Successful decision for student with disabilities in sexual harassment and failure to accommodate claim brought under Title IX, Section 504 and the ADA.

Successful retaliation decision in favor of parent who was falsely accused by school to DCS after advocating for their child with special needs.

Retaliation against child and parents of child with severe allergies, under Section 504 and the ADA, does not require exhaustion of administrative remedies.

Retaliation against parents of child with Type 1 diabetes for requesting accommodations was legally sufficient, reversing district court.

Special education teacher properly brought claims of retaliation against school when she fought for rights of children with special needs.

Department of Children’s Services must disclose all documents to parents relating to any alleged retaliation by school system.

Sixth Circuit finds sufficient evidence of retaliation against home health nurse.

Denying defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s THRA claims.

Denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment because defendant had not shown that an accommodation of plaintiffs’ beliefs would have imposed an undue hardship.

Awarding sanctions and fees against defendant for discovery abuse.

Upholding decision of the Circuit Court for Chester County finding in favor of plaintiff insured for breach of contract.