Kennedy Lee v. Weakley County Board of Education, No. 1:24‑cv‑01147 (W.D. Tenn.)
High-profile ongoing federal case challenging discriminatory treatment of a student with disabilities. Allegations include unconstitutional segregation and ADA violations after the student was placed in a former storage closet and separated from peers at graduation. The case has drawn national attention and continues to highlight the fight for dignity and equal treatment in education.
William A. v. Clarksville‑Montgomery County School System, No. 24‑5591 (6th Cir. Feb. 3, 2025)
Appellate affirmation of 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 education.
John Doe v. Loudon County Board of Education, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68645 (E.D. Tenn.)
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.
Matthew B. v. Clarksville Montgomery Cnty. Sch. Sys., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 124160 (M.D. Tenn. July 19, 2023)
Successful outcome in a case involving delayed evaluations and services. The court found the district failed to provide timely and adequate accommodations, violating the student’s rights under IDEA and ADA.
Knox Cnty. v. M.Q., 62 F.4th 978 (6th Cir. Mar. 17, 2023)
Major appellate win affirming IDEA, ADA, and Section 504 violations. The court held that the student had been improperly placed in an overly restrictive setting, cementing critical precedent for inclusion and appropriate placement.
Knox Cnty. v. M.Q., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 57631 (E.D. Tenn. Jan. 27, 2022)
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.
M.B. v. Lee, et al., 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 37682 (6th Cir. Dec. 20, 2021)
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.
R.K. v. Bill Lee, et al., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 236817 (M.D. Tenn. Dec. 10, 2021)
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.
B.H. v. Obion Cty. Bd. of Educ., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 226689 (W.D. Tenn. Nov. 24, 2021)
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.
R.K. v. Lee, et al., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 204078 (M.D. Tenn. Oct. 21, 2021)
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.
S.B. v. Lee, et al., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 184464 (E.D. Tenn. Sept. 7, 2021)
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.
D.S. by & ex rel. R.S. & E.S. v. Knox Cnty., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 251103 (E.D. Tenn. June 21, 2021)
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.
Knox Cnty. v. M.Q., 535 F. Supp. 3d 750 (E.D. Tenn. 2021)
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.
L.L. v. Tenn. Dep’t of Educ., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25194 (M.D. Tenn. Feb. 15, 2019)
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.
Doe v. Sumner Cty. Bd. of Educ., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179280 (M.D. Sept. 29, 2020)
Successful decision for student with disabilities in sexual harassment and failure to accommodate claim brought under Title IX, Section 504 and the ADA.
Brooklyn T. v. Knox Cty., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 111961, at *1 (E.D. Tenn. June 25, 2020)
Direct action in federal court appropriate for damages where school denied child proper communication device.
B.H. v. Obion Cty. Bd. of Educ., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212611 (W.D. Tenn. Dec. 10, 2019)
Successful retaliation decision in favor of parent who was falsely accused by school to DCS after advocating for their child with special needs.
A.G. v. Genesis Learning Ctrs. (In re P.G.), 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120014, (M.D. Tenn. July 18, 2019)
Requiring school district to defend 504 and ADA claims in addition to IDEA claims before an administrative law judge.
L.H. v. Hamilton Cnty. Dep’t of Educ., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 153322 (E.D. Tenn. Nov. 4, 2016)
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.
A.H. v. Clarksville-Montgomery Cty. Sch. Sys., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20060 (M.D. Tenn. Feb. 7, 2019)
Establishing rights for preschool children with disabilities in Clarksville to be included in general education preschool classrooms.
L.L. v. Tenn. Dep’t of Educ., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25194 (M.D. Tenn. Feb. 15, 2019)
Establishing mainstreaming rights for preschool children in Carroll County, West Tennessee.
J.A. v. Smith Cty. Sch. Dist., 364 F. Supp. 3d 813, 837 (M.D. Tenn. 2018) (M.D. Tenn. Mar. 6, 2019)
Kindergarten child with Down syndrome in Carthage, Tennessee has right to mainstream education.
S.P. v. Knox Cty. Bd. of Educ., 329 F. Supp. 3d 584 (E.D. Tenn. 2018)
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)
C.G. v. Cheatham Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46604 (M.D. Tenn. Apr. 6, 2016)
Denying Defendant’s motion for summary judgment on 504/ADA retaliation claims by parents and child with severe peanut allergies against principal and school.
N.S. v. Tenn. Dep’t of Educ., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91589 (M.D. Tenn. July 14, 2016)
Students may pursue claims in federal court against Tennessee Department of Education for failing to properly monitor restraints and isolations in school districts.
AC v. Shelby County Bd. of Educ., 711 F.3d 687 (6th Cir. 2013)
Retaliation against parents of child with Type 1 diabetes for requesting accommodations was legally sufficient—reversing district court.
WH v. TDOE and Knox County Schools, 2016 U.S. Dist. Lexis 7206 (M.D. Tenn. 2016)
TDOE and Knox County properly sued for allegedly rewarding more restrictive environments than necessary.
L.H. v. Hamilton Cty Dep’t of Educ., 2015 U.S. Dist. Lexis 166574 (E.D. Tenn. Dec. 15, 2015)
Approval of $185,000 to child with Down syndrome for alleged systemic violation of rights.
C.G. v. Cheatham Cty, 2015 U.S. Dist. Lexis 77134 (M.D. Tenn 2015)
Retaliation against child and parents of child with severe allergies, under Section 504 and the ADA, does not require exhaustion of administrative remedies.
L.H. v. Hamilton County Dep’t of Educ., 2015 U.S. Dist. Lexis 55103 (E.D. Tenn. 2015)
The State may be sued for violating rights of child with Down syndrome in county school system.
Cockrill v. Metro Gov’t, 2015 U.S. Dist. Lexis 3180 (M.D. Tenn. 2015)
Special education teacher properly brought claims of retaliation against school when she fought for rights of children with special needs.
Grummons v. Williamson County Bd of Educ., 2014 U.S. Dist. Lexis 51983 (M.D. Tenn. 2014)
Department of Children’s Services must disclose all documents to parents relating to any alleged retaliation by school system.
Epperson v. Res. Healthcare, 566 Fed. Appx. 433 (W.D. Tenn. 2014)
Sixth Circuit finds sufficient evidence of retaliation against home health nurse.
Coleman v. United Healthcare Servs., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30760 (W.D. Tenn. Mar. 6, 2013)
Denying defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s THRA claims.
Jackson v. Longistics Transp., Inc., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 52398 (W.D. Tenn. Apr. 13, 2012)
Denying defendant’s motion for summary judgment because defendant had not shown that an accommodation of plaintiffs’ beliefs would have imposed an undue hardship.
Meyer v. Smith & Nephew, Inc., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 130547 (M.D. Tenn. Sept. 13, 2012)
Awarding sanctions and fees against defendant for discovery abuse.
Adams v. Tenn. Farmers Mut. Ins. Co., 2010 Tenn. App. LEXIS 262 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 13, 2010)
Upholding decision of the Circuit Court for Chester County finding in favor of plaintiff insured for breach of contract.
SETTLEMENTS
$200,000 settlement in a single-plaintiff First Amendment retaliation and ADA failure to accommodate case
$150,000 settlement for a couple who was terminated after reporting illegal activity
$127,000 settlement in a single-plaintiff disability discrimination claim
$300,000 settlement in a single-plaintiff ERISA violation
$75,000 single-plaintiff settlement in a FMLA retaliation case
Numerous six-figure settlements for damages incurred by public school-children and their parents.