Jennifer Mathews represents firm public school districts and BOCES clients on matters including:

Defending due process complaints involving special education students including the IHO appointment process, witness preparation, hearings, and post-hearing issues including appeals.

Responding to OCR and SED investigations including preparing a response with documentation, representing the district in OCR interviews regarding complaint allegations, and attending SED interviews of district employees related to an investigation.

Representing Districts/BOCES clients in all aspects of PINS proceedings including fact-finding and dispositional hearings.

Attending CSE meetings at the client’s request as well as mediation sessions where she represents clients to resolve issues between parents and districts without having to participate in a due process hearing.

Representing clients in appeals to the Commissioner of Education.

Assisting clients with student disciplinary hearings and attending manifestation determination review meetings held when students with disabilities are involved in discipline issues.

Jennifer regularly provides training to clients and outside organizations on topics including conducting investigations, student discipline proceedings, discipline of special education students, special education pitfalls, due process complaints, and proper implementation of IEPS.

Jennifer has conducted jury trials in both State and Federal court, has argued appeals before the Third and Fourth Departments, has successfully defended districts against complaints investigated by OCR and NY SED, and has received favorable results on appeals from the Commissioner of Education and Office of State Review.