Pro Bono Client Wins Proper Education Services for Special Needs Son

Paul, Weiss successfully represented a pro bono client in Washington, D.C. in a special education due process hearing, obtaining all requested relief including placement of her son in a non-public school for the upcoming school year.

Our client’s son has multiple learning disabilities and has experienced consistent educational setbacks over the past several years. Prior to filing a due process complaint, she worked unsuccessfully with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) for nearly two years to secure the special education services her son required to make educational progress. Our client argued that DCPS had not, and could not, meet her son’s needs. The hearing officer agreed, finding that that DCPS failed to provide her son with the free, appropriate public education required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The hearing officer ordered DCPS to fund his placement in a non-public, therapeutic school with $63,000 annual tuition as well as over 100 hours of compensatory counseling and tutoring services. The hearing involved the testimony of seven witnesses for the petitioner and three respondent witnesses, including multiple experts on each side, and resulted in a 15-page opinion.

The Paul, Weiss team included litigation associates Sarah Ripa, Lina Dagnew, Adrienne Lighten, Elizabeth Curran and Daniel McGrath. The team worked with Tracy Goodman of the Children's Law Center and was supervised by litigation partner Chuck Davidow.