Areas of Practice
school discipline
Classrooms function best when each student and the entire community feel safe. I believe this cannot happen until we return to police-free school hallways. When students are pushed out of the classroom for violating school codes, the students fall behind and face an increase to the daunting challenges of engaging with their communities and their own education. Both the student and the school lose the opportunity to engage in restorative practices that help growth. I promote restorative justice and assists students, parents, and guardians fight inappropriate suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement.
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
Special Education
Every student deserves an equal opportunity to access their education. I strive to hold schools and districts accountable to their students. Whether this involves collaboration to build appropriate plans that meet each student's unique educational needs and that accommodate disabilities or requires confronting schools and districts for improper or inadequate services through due process, state, or federal complaints, I advocate for both students who have typical or exceptional development as well as students who have disabilities.
“The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. ”
justice for Young Folk
We are so much more than the actions and decisions we have made in the worst moment of our lives.When young people face delinquency charges, they are on the precipice of a life-altering moment. A lifetime of events out of their control and choices they have made in response have led to that moment. In that moment, young people have little control or agency in the face of an adult-run justice system. I partner with families and advocates to structure a holistic and interdisciplinary defense that promotes a return to the young person's life as soon as possible.
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”
*I work directly with clients and contract with attorneys seeking to bolster their defense strategies. If you are an attorney who would like to discuss how we could collaborate to achieve better services, mitigation, or a more holistic approach to your legal strategies, please contact me.