Need Help With a School Problem?
School should be focused on learning. Unfortunately, things that happen at school can raise thorny legal issues. Who’s legally responsible when a school has failed to protect your child from harm—whether from a preventable accident, bullying, or abuse? What can you do if the school has violated students’ legal rights, including rights in disciplinary proceedings, free speech, freedom from unreasonable searches, and the right to special education services when they’re needed? What are the legal consequences of truancy or quitting school before your state’s dropout age?

An education lawyer can help you protect your child’s rights, deal with school officials, and navigate any bureaucratic steps needed to file complaints and get the school to meet its legal obligations. And if the school has seriously failed your child, an experienced education attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options, including the possibility of suing school officials.

Looking for an Education Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by area of law and geography. You can also search for attorneys by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be primarily responsible for handling your case. Consider bringing to the conversation a list of questions and any documentation related to your case. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult and that, first and foremost, you want a lawyer you trust.

What to Ask a Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including on your list questions about:

• the lawyer’s experience dealing with schools and circumstances like yours
• how federal, state, and/or local laws apply to your situation
• the lawyer’s initial impressions of your options, strategies, and likely outcomes
• whether you can hire the lawyer to give specific advice or handle certain tasks, like preparing for a hearing in your dispute with the school’s special ed decisions
• whether anyone else in the lawyer’s office will work on your case or be available to answer questions
• how the lawyer will keep you informed about what’s happening in your case
• how—and how much—the lawyer will charge to help you with your legal problem.