School Law

Our firm has represented school districts for over six (6) decades, going back to the mid-1950s when we successfully advised one of our clients to recognize, and implement, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark school desegregation decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Our attorneys have substantial experience advising school districts in a wide variety of legal matters, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII, Title IX, workers’ compensation laws, employment laws, school discipline laws, purchasing and construction laws. We also regularly handle transactional, contract and real estate matters on behalf of local school districts.

We recognize the distinct nature of the law concerning school districts in particular, and are familiar with the type of commitment that is involved in acting as general legal counsel, and as Board counsel, to a Texas independent school district. Our firm has very significant experience regarding policy update recommendations and drafting services, and has developed good working relationships with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Legal Division. Our attorneys have also authored numerous scholarly articles in school law and other areas of the law, and have made presentations on legal issues to school trustees, administrators, and staffs, many times over the years.

Practicing Attorneys

John S. Birkelbach

John S. Birkelbach

(915) 541-1535

Bruce A. Koehler

Bruce A. Koehler

(915) 541-1513

Monica L. Perez

Monica L. Perez

(915) 541-1501

Clyde A. Pine, Jr.

Clyde A. Pine, Jr.

(915) 541-1506

S. Anthony Safi

S. Anthony Safi

(915) 541-1542