Student-Related Services
Education
Our education law attorneys recognize not all student-related matters require legal counsel, but in tough situations, we provide the support districts need. We assist districts daily with a myriad of student-related issues, including student discipline, student records, student residency, and custody issues.
Practice Group Leader
Christina Henagen Peer, Partner
Christina provides counsel to boards of education on student discipline, collective bargaining agreements, employee grievances, employee evaluation and discipline issues, the First Amendment, public records requests including Sunshine Laws, records retention policies, social media issues, residency and custody disputes, and the drafting and implementation of board policies.
216.928.2918
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Our Student Rights Insight
When addressing student issues, we partner closely with districts in all aspects of the discipline process including:
- Initial investigation
- Provision of due process
- Board-level appeal hearings
- Hearings in the court of common pleas
We also assist districts in responding to requests for access to or revision of educational records. Finally, we work with districts on residency and custody matters ranging from routine review of court documents to residency hearings.
Recognition
U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® 2022 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS
- Metropolitan Tier 1: Education Law
- Metropolitan Tier 2: Litigation – Labor & Employment
U.S. NEWS – BEST LAWYERS® 2021 “BEST LAW FIRMS” RANKINGS
- Metropolitan Tier 1: Education Law
- Metropolitan Tier 2: Litigation – Labor & Employment

Experience
- Representing school districts in student discipline proceedings before boards of education, appointed designees, and in appeals to the court
- Representing school districts in federal court litigation involving alleged violations of constitutional rights and Section 1983 (e.g., bullying, harassment, etc.)
- Representing school districts in special education discipline situations – including due process hearings involving student discipline issues
- Counseling school districts regarding residency and custody disputes – including matters before the Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Assisting school districts with responses to requests for voluminous educational records
- Counseling school districts regarding obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
- Counseling school districts on student issues related to technology and off-campus conduct
