At Education Legal Services, we are proud to offer special education representation at no cost to parents. Under special education laws, attorneys for successful parent claims may seek payment from the school district either through a settlement agreement or after a successful due process hearing. Education Legal Services is committed to providing this no-cost arrangement for the majority of our special education clients.

However, we must note that not every claim qualifies for a no-cost arrangement. Each case is evaluated on its own merits, and the specifics of our attorney-client relationship will be clearly defined in an engagement letter and a fee agreement—even if the agreement specifies that you owe nothing to Education Legal Services.

For families not interested in litigation, we also offer hourly advocacy services. Additionally, we can assist in connecting you with organizations that provide free advocacy services. This comprehensive approach ensures that all families receive the support they need, tailored to their unique circumstances.

Due process hearings can seem intimidating, but at Education Legal Services, we simplify the process into five manageable steps. Our attorneys will guide you through each stage, ensuring you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about your child’s education. Our aim is not just to address the current dispute, but also to enhance the functioning of your child’s IEP team for the future. By the end of the process, we strive to leave the IEP team in a better position than when we started, maintaining its functionality for future needs.

The duration of special education legal cases can vary based on the complexity of the case and the specific processes involved. In Pennsylvania, the Office for Dispute Resolution provides specific timelines for the resolution of disputes through due process hearings:

• Regular Due Process Hearings: Once a due process complaint is filed, the case must be resolved within 45 days. However, this timeline begins after an initial 30-day resolution period, during which the parties have an opportunity to resolve the issues amicably. If the resolution period is waived or the resolution attempt fails, the 45-day timeline for the hearing process starts.
• Expedited Due Process Hearings: Expedited hearings are typically held in more urgent situations, such as disciplinary matters where a student’s placement is in dispute due to behavioral issues. For these cases, the hearing must occur within 20 school days of the date the complaint was filed, and a decision must be reached within 10 school days after the hearing concludes.

It’s important for families to understand that while these timelines provide a framework, actual durations can vary depending on extensions granted by hearing officers, delays requested by either party, or additional negotiations that may occur. At Education Legal Services, we work diligently to guide our clients through this process, aiming for the most timely and favorable resolution possible.

Education Legal Services is licensed to practice throughout Pennsylvania but typically represents families in the following counties:

• Allegheny
• Beaver
• Bedford
• Blair
• Butler
• Cambria
• Clarion
• Crawford
• Elk
• Erie
• Fayette
• Forest
• Indiana
• Jefferson
• Lawrence
• McKean
• Mercer
• Somerset
• Venango
• Warren
• Washington
• Westmoreland