Services:
Our education attorneys stay on top of the leading developments in school law and are aware of both the day-to-day and long-term challenges our school district clients and other educational institutions face.
We provide legal advice on a wide range of school-related topics to school boards, administrators, teachers, and other school employees on a daily basis.
MBM’s education attorneys have a strong commitment to client service, proven experience, and a collaborative approach, which prepares our clients to address the complex issues troubling school entities today. Not only do we respond and counsel on day-to-day issues, but we also provide training in order to help our clients to recognize and avoid potential legal issues before they occur. Our Pittsburgh-based education lawyers work closely with school district administrators and boards to ensure that the identified goals for their community are met. We are committed to providing sound insights for a constantly evolving educational climate. We are dedicated to keeping you up to date on the most recent changes and trends in school and education law and providing practical advice for the fulfillment of these goals.
Construction
MBM is uniquely qualified to handle school construction projects, whether they are new construction and/or renovation projects.
MBM’s Construction Law Group has in-depth experience in the entire spectrum of a construction project. In fact, an attorney on our staff is a Registered Architect and brings a distinctive ability to this area for MBM.
Special Education
Special education legal issues are often sensitive and urgent in nature, thus requiring a response from education lawyers who are informed and who are prepared to address complex education matters with an unparalleled approach.
When decisions matter, you need advice and MBM’s School Law Team is prepared to provide it. Our special education team is focused on creating and providing educational plans that maintain the trust and integrity of your educational institution. Our education attorneys are qualified to conduct reviews of your internal processes for providing special education services in order to identify potential shortcomings before they manifest in a dispute. Through collaboration, creative thinking, principled and responsive service our attorneys work closely with school districts, as well as administrative personnel, teachers and staff to implement preventive strategies in order minimize exposure to legal risk and potential liabilities. The special education law is constantly evolving. Let our School Law Team develop a proactive approach to address your special education legal needs.
Student Discipline
MBM has assisted School Districts with suspending and expelling students in virtually every district we represent.
However, MBM does more than simply aid in the enforcement of the School District’s Code of Student Conduct. MBM has written and revised the policies and guidelines, including Codes of Student Conduct, upon which Districts rely in order to maintain an orderly educational program in a safe and healthy environment. MBM has helped School Districts devise effective policies that are reasonable and enforceable, and that will withstand judicial scrutiny in the event of a challenge by parents or students.
Education Employment Matters
MBM Law’s education attorneys have created hiring procedures that comply with applicable state and federal laws and current court decisions; routinely assist Administration with personnel issues from the outset thereby avoiding unnecessary litigation and process grievance and arbitration hearings in connection with disciplinary actions.
The attorneys in our School Law Team know and understand the relevant provisions of the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949 and the many other statutory requirements addressing personnel matters in the public sector. MBM Law attorneys have the knowledge and experience to handle all aspects of personnel legal issues affecting schools and educational entities.
Labor & Collective Bargaining
MBM has extensive experience in collective bargaining procedures. MBM’s attorneys have served as chief negotiator.
In those instances where the Administration and/or Board Members act as the negotiating team, MBM provides the necessary guidance in drafting contract language and assists the negotiating team in avoiding common pitfalls in the negotiating process. Our School Law Team has experience in handling difficult labor negotiations. We are equipped and prepared to take an aggressive stance to respond to frivolous grievances and complaints often used as a tactic to exert pressure on a School District during bargaining. Just as important as the collective bargaining process, contract administration of a Collective Bargaining Agreement is critical because, if done effectively, it prevents labor challenges before they begin. MBM works closely with the School District in administering the various agreements by having regular contact with the Superintendent and/or Personnel Director and regularly reviewing the nature of any labor issue that the School District may be experiencing, thereby enabling the School District to avoid that issue in the future and/or to correct the issue during the next round of collective bargaining.
Public Finance
As solicitor for various School Districts, MBM has participated in numerous bond sales to raise new money for building projects as well as refinancing in excess of $250,000,000.00 over the past few years.
MBM’s School Law Team has a working knowledge of the overall process involved in a bond issue. MBM routinely negotiates contracts with financial advisors and other consultants involved in the issuance of bonds, as well as review bond documents.
Governance
An understanding of the authority and responsibilities of a Board of Directors in today’s society and educational environment mandates an understanding of a broad scope of statutory and case law, as well as the need for common sense and experience in giving sound advice and direction to a Board.
MBM excels in this area, not only because of our knowledge of statutory law requirements and case precedent, but also because of our experience in working with School Boards, implementing School Board policies, giving consistent and sound guidance to School Boards, and having a firm grasp of how to respond timely and efficiently to issues. MBM’s attorneys understand the role of a Solicitor and consciously adhere to that role. MBM takes pride in its ability to establish a rapport with the School Board and the public during a meeting and to handle any problems that may arise.
MBM’s education attorneys have years of experience in providing legal consultation to clients in educational and school matters including student discipline, special education, etc. Contact us now to get legal advice from our expert education attorneys in Pittsburgh.
