Decades Of Experience In Education Law
At Porter, Banks, Baldwin & Shaw, PLLC, we have decades of experience in the effective representation of boards of education, superintendents, and school administrators in education and education related matters. We currently serve as general counsel for several districts in Eastern Kentucky and have represented other school districts, superintendents, and administrators throughout Kentucky in both state and federal courts as well as administrative proceedings. We maintain active memberships and participate with both the Kentucky School Boards Association’s Council of School Board Attorneys and National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Council of School Attorneys.
We understand schools are in the business of education and we approach our work in this field with the goal of assisting our clients in efficiently and effectively solving their legal problems and minimizing the stress and hassle inherent in legal issues – often providing an opportunity assist with proactive problem prevention.
We understand that school boards, superintendents, and administrators need guidance in dealing with a wide variety of issues impacting the day to day business of educating students including student, employee and parent rights, personnel decisions; maintenance, acquisition and construction issues concerning facility management; day-to-day legal issues concerning interpretation of both federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative opinions which impact the educational process; and in evaluating options when faced with threats of litigation. Our attorneys have set legal precedence through both trial and appellate work successfully defending school districts before federal and state administrative bodies as well as state and federal court actions brought against those districts we represent or have been assigned to defend. Our attorneys have also represented school personnel in administrative investigations before the Kentucky Commission of Human Rights and the Federal Office of Civil Rights. Other areas of experience include:
- Civil tort liability, including premises liability and negligent supervision, school bus accident liability, sexual harassment, and third party injury claims
- Constitutional issues, such as fourth amendment (search and seizure) issues as well as first amendment issues pertaining to the freedom of speech and separation of church and state
- Special education due process hearings, including those before independent hearing officers and appeals
- Student issues, including attendance, dress codes, suspensions, expulsions, and temporary restraining orders
- Public records and open meeting laws
Our firm has also served as panel counsel for various insurance carriers over the years and have defended matters across Kentucky. As panel counsel, we defend school districts and their employees against a variety of claims brought in federal and state courts throughout Kentucky, including personal injury, discrimination, and claims relating to the provision of special education services to students.
With offices in Paintsville, Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky and attorneys admitted to practice in all state and federal levels of the courts of Kentucky, Porter, Banks, Baldwin & Shaw, PLLC utilizes a team approach to efficiently and effectively protect the interests and representative needs of our clients.
If you would like additional information concerning our education law section, please contact Jonathan C. Shaw.