About Us
Meet Our Attorneys
Our Commitment To You
With over 65+ combined years of legal experience, we are dedicated to championing the rights of school-age children and college students with disabilities. We believe in the power of education and the necessity of access for all students. Our work extends beyond understanding the law; we also understand the specific needs and programs essential for supporting students with a variety of disabilities, including:
Learning Disabilities
These can include dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory processing disorders, dyspraxia, apraxia of speech and more. These can impact a student’s ability to read, write, solve math problems, listen, speak and utilize hand-eye coordination.
Autism
Kids with autism can struggle with executive functioning, social skills, emotional regulation and intense reactions to sensory stimuli. Students with autism often require extra support and accommodations to navigate school environments.
Behavioral Issues
Students with and without disabilities can have behavioral issues. However, schools don’t always know how to address behavioral issues when they revolve around a child’s disability. We are here to advocate for you and your child when school administrators try to enforce consequences inappropriate to the situation.
Mental Health Challenges
Disabilities and mental health issues can go hand-in-hand. So when mental health issues start to affect behavior or academic performance, we can ensure that schools respect the rights and uphold the duties they have to these students and their families.
Orthopedic Concerns
Physical disabilities can include cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy. Schools have just as much of a duty to accommodate students with physical disabilities as they do mental ones. We can help hold them to that duty if they deny accommodations.
Services For Lawyers
Agins & Gilman LLC provides a variety of services to attorneys. We have represented attorneys in cases where they have been sued under the fee shifting provisions of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act. We can also represent attorneys who face fee actions in other civil rights contexts such as 42 U.S.C. §1988.
We also provide consulting services to attorneys who are handling or wish to handle special education and related matters, including juvenile court cases, for individuals with disabilities. We have also assisted attorneys in personal injury matters where the education of their disabled clients is an issue.
For fees and other informtion contact us.
Professional Experience in Litigation
One aspect that sets us apart as a law firm is our extensive litigation capability. We can try cases, a skill that’s not as common for attorneys in our field. This allows us to provide flexible and comprehensive support.
Learn more about what we can do for you by scheduling an initial consultation. You can do so by calling 216-291-4332 or visiting our contact form . We look forward to speaking with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents should consider consulting an attorney when:
- They are having trouble getting their child evaluated for special education services;
- They are in disagreement with the school district regarding what services are necessary;
- They are seeking an outside placement for their child;
- Their child’s behaviors have escalated and/or their child is being restrained, secluded or referred frequently to the juvenile court or Children’s Services;
- Their child is not making progress;
- There is disagreement about the child’s ability level;
- Their child is being bullied.
Lay advocates play a critical role in special education. However when a dispute with a school district is not resolved within a reasonable period of time, and/or litigation is contemplated, then the advice of an attorney should be sought.
Our consultation fee provides a record review and an opinion regarding whether you have a case, and the direction you ought to go.
The fee is payable at the time of the consult, but the consult does not create an attorney client relationship unless a retainer agreement is signed.
The amount required for representation varies and depends on the complexity of the issues, and whether litigation is likely.
We do take some case pro bono. If you feel your case should be considered for pro bono representation, please call the office. Cases are also considered on a first come, first served basis.
We will always try to find someone to help even if we are unable to do it.
Scientifically based educational programs are educational programs using methods of instruction, which have been evaluated under scientifically accepted standards to prove the efficacy of the program.
Peer reviewed research is research, which has been presented to scientists for validity by researchers in the same field of expertise.