Tag Archives: due process hearings

Um. Okay. Thanks.

Published on July 15, 2011 by Jennifer Laviano

So, I already have a page of Ridiculous Comments made by school district personnel, and their lawyers.  But lately, I’ve decided that my clients have some doozies also…so I’ve created this page:   Truly Funny, Sad, Insightful, or Outrageous Quotes From Parents. My clients inspire me.  They really do.  I can not imagine how they manage [...]

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A Mother’s Day

Published on May 8, 2011 by Jennifer Laviano

Last night, we took my mother out to dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day.  While at at the restaurant, and on cue with the arrival of my own food, both my little ones let me know they had to go to the bathroom.  So, off I head to the ladies room, with my 3 and nearly 5 year olds [...]

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DON’T THROW AWAY ANYTHING!!!

Published on December 22, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

Sometimes it’s difficult to know what to to be happy about as an attorney who represents children with disabilities.  As you can imagine, the facts that support a “really great special education case” are, by definition, at best unpleasant, and at worst horrific. It’s an odd feeling, reviewing a child’s special education records.  When I [...]

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Ask for the Email

Published on November 18, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

Whenever parents retain my firm, I ask them to sign a form requesting all of their child’s education records be sent to me as their special education lawyer.  It’s a standard “FERPA” request…the easiest way to explain FERPA is that it is sort of like the educational version of HIPAA.  Bottom line is that I [...]

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Connecticut Enacts Important Autism Legislation

Published on May 6, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

Another late night at the Capitol last night, showing support for the passage of HB 5425.  Around midnight, just before the legislative session ended, the Senate voted by consent (unanimously) to pass HB 5425.  Yes, this is the same bill that previously included very concerning language regarding Connecticut’s Burden of Proof in special education due [...]

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It’s a New Year, So Sue Me

Published on January 6, 2010 by Jennifer Laviano

Getting school systems to either fund additional special education services, or to reimburse parents who pay for necessary services themselves, has always been an uphill battle.  The reasons are numerous, but money is without question at the top of the list.  That’s nothing new.  However, over the years, most reasonable school district lawyers, and special education [...]

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“They Should Tell You This is Part of The Job!”

Published on November 16, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

Several years ago, I was cross-examining a teacher in a Due Process Hearing.  It was a pretty hotly contested case, and we were several days into testimony.  The student (my client) had severe dyslexia, which had been identified fairly early into her education.  Unfortunately, the interventions provided by the school district had been pretty ineffective.  [...]

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It’s Worth It

Published on August 18, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

Representing children and adolescents with special education needs is an honor and privilege, and I have to say that I really love my chosen field.   But some days it can also be exhausting and depressing.  School districts have the ability, and too often the inclination, to fight families over services, sometimes for years.  Time is [...]

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The Proof Shall Set You Free

Published on July 28, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

One of my favorite movie lines is from A Few Good Men, when accused Marine Lance Cpl. Dawson asks his lawyer, Lt. Caffey (a/k/a Tom Cruise) whether or not he believes him.  His ultimate reply:  “it doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what I can prove!” is something I think of often in my [...]

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Try to See The Forest, Not the Trees

Published on July 15, 2009 by Jennifer Laviano

I had a discussion today with a former client whose child is now an adult.  As we were catching up, we started talking about how much more relaxed she seemed, having successfully navigated the special education system several times over the many years, and now obtaining appropriate adult services for her son.  We recalled how [...]

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