Education Lawyers
Fighting for Your Child’s Future — New Jersey Education Lawyers Who Care
Every student deserves an education that is fair, safe, and free from discrimination. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, our New Jersey education lawyers stand with families and students when schools, districts, or universities fail to meet that standard. We provide representation in matters ranging from special education and school discipline to college misconduct and Title IX cases. Our education lawyers understand that when a child’s education is at stake, nothing matters more than protecting their future.
Advocating for Families and Students Across New Jersey
Parents send their children to school expecting a nurturing, law-abiding environment. Unfortunately, schools sometimes fall short—whether by denying special education services, mishandling bullying complaints, imposing unjust discipline, or failing to follow state and federal procedures.
Our New Jersey Education Lawyers step in when school officials ignore your rights, helping families resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, administrative hearings, or litigation when necessary. We bring a combination of compassion, strategy, and courtroom experience to every education law matter we handle.
Special Education and 504 Plan Representation
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, every child with a qualifying disability is entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). When schools fail to deliver on that promise, parents have the right to challenge their decisions.
Our New Jersey education lawyers assist families with:
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and review
- 504 Plan Compliance and accommodations
- Disputes over eligibility, services, or placement
- Mediation and due process hearings before the Office of Administrative Law
- Appeals involving the New Jersey Department of Education and federal courts
We closely follow the New Jersey Department of Education’s Special Education Policy to ensure that each district meets its obligations under both state and federal law. Our New Jersey education lawyers combine technical knowledge of IDEA and Section 504 regulations with a personal understanding of how these cases affect children and families. Whether your child’s school has denied support services or ignored their IEP, we help restore the balance and ensure your child receives the education they deserve.
School Discipline and Expulsion Defense
When a student is suspended or expelled, it can leave a permanent mark on their record—and their future. School districts must follow strict due process procedures before imposing serious discipline, but many fail to do so.
Our education lawyers represent students facing:
- Short-term or long-term suspensions
- Expulsion proceedings
- Manifestation determination hearings for students with disabilities
- Academic misconduct and plagiarism charges
- Unjust disciplinary actions for alleged bullying or behavioral issues
Our firm ensures that schools follow the law, that evidence is reviewed fairly, and that your child’s rights are not trampled in the name of school policy. With years of courtroom and hearing experience, our New Jersey education lawyers know how to challenge administrative findings and pursue reinstatement or record-clearing remedies.
Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination
Schools have a legal duty to maintain a safe, non-hostile learning environment. When they fail to act—or worse, when they blame the victim—families need experienced legal counsel.
Our New Jersey education lawyers represent students in cases involving:
- Bullying under the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act
- Discrimination based on race, disability, gender, or religion under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD)
- Harassment and retaliation by peers, teachers, or administrators
- Civil rights violations in both public and private schools
Our attorneys approach each case with sensitivity and strength. We understand the emotional toll these experiences take and work to ensure that students are not silenced or punished for standing up for themselves.
Residency and School Access Disputes
Every child in New Jersey has a right to attend school in their district of residence. However, disputes often arise when school officials question a family’s residency or accuse them of sending a child to a district where they do not live.
Our New Jersey education lawyers help families:
- Defend against wrongful residency accusations
- Challenge tuition reimbursement demands from school districts
- Prove lawful domicile under New Jersey education regulations
- Appeal unfair residency determinations
These cases often move quickly and require a precise understanding of New Jersey’s Title 6A education regulations. We guide families through each step to ensure their child’s access to education remains uninterrupted.
Higher Education and Title IX Representation
Education law doesn’t stop at graduation. College students and their families face their own set of challenges—from Title IX allegations to academic integrity violations.
Our attorneys represent college and university students in:
- Title IX sexual misconduct investigations and hearings
- Academic integrity and plagiarism proceedings
- Disciplinary actions, suspensions, and expulsions
- Appeals to university administrators and boards of trustees
- Civil rights and retaliation claims under federal and state law
We recognize that college proceedings can threaten not only a student’s academic record but also their career and reputation. Our education lawyers combine investigative rigor with a clear understanding of campus disciplinary systems, ensuring our clients’ rights are protected throughout the process.
Public Records, Privacy, and Parental Rights
Parents and students have important legal rights to access educational records and challenge school decisions. Under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools must release records when properly requested.
Our education lawyers help families:
- Request and obtain student records and communications
- Appeal improper denials under OPRA or FERPA
- Ensure compliance with student privacy laws
- File administrative appeals when districts refuse disclosure
Transparency matters in education law. Our firm ensures that schools and agencies are held accountable to the public and to the families they serve.
Civil Rights in Education
When schools or universities cross the line into unlawful discrimination, retaliation, or constitutional violations, our attorneys are ready to act. We bring actions under:
- N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. (New Jersey Law Against Discrimination)
- 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for deprivation of constitutional rights
- Federal and state due process protections
We have represented students and parents whose civil rights were violated by unfair discipline, discrimination, or denial of equal educational opportunity. Our education lawyers take pride in pursuing justice for families who have been mistreated by institutions of learning.
Why Families Choose Ratliff Jackson LLP
Our firm blends the skill of experienced litigators with the compassion of advocates who understand how education law decisions affect real lives. Clients choose us because we:
- Provide responsive, personal attention to every case
- Know how to navigate the administrative and court systems effectively
- Handle both K–12 and college-level education matters
- Advocate firmly while preserving long-term relationships with schools when possible
When your child’s education or future is at risk, you deserve attorneys who will fight strategically, not react emotionally. Our education lawyers are prepared to protect your rights and secure fair outcomes.
Speak with a New Jersey Education Lawyer Today
Education law issues require swift, informed action. Whether your child has been denied special education services, unfairly disciplined, or discriminated against, our attorneys are ready to help.
Protect Your Child’s Educational Rights Today
To schedule a confidential consultation, call 856-209-3111 or visit our consultation request page. Our office is located at 811 Church Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, and we proudly serve clients throughout South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
New Jersey Education Lawyers Frequently Asked Questions
My child’s IEP looks good on paper, but the school isn’t following it. Can I take legal action even if they “technically” have a plan in place?
Yes. Schools must not only draft an appropriate IEP but also implement it faithfully. When services or accommodations listed in the plan are ignored, it becomes a violation of IDEA and Section 504. Documentation is key—keep records of missing therapy sessions, unfulfilled accommodations, or untrained staff. Our New Jersey Education Lawyers can initiate administrative complaints or due process hearings to compel compliance and seek compensatory education.
Can a school suspend a student with special needs for behavior related to their disability?
Only under specific circumstances. Before long-term suspension or expulsion, the district must hold a manifestation determination hearing to decide whether the behavior was a result of the student’s disability. If it was, the school cannot impose standard discipline without proper supports. We ensure that schools don’t disguise disability-related conduct as misconduct to remove challenging students.
The district says my child isn’t “severe enough” for special education services. Is that true?
Not necessarily. Many schools misapply eligibility standards. A student doesn’t need to be failing to qualify—they only need to demonstrate that their disability adversely affects educational performance. Our firm helps parents challenge inaccurate evaluations and obtain independent educational assessments to prove eligibility.
My child’s teacher keeps saying they’re “doing fine,” but I know something is wrong. When should I ask for an evaluation?
Immediately. You don’t need the school’s permission to suspect a disability. Put your request for evaluation in writing, referencing IDEA timelines (20 days for the school to respond, 90 days to complete testing). Delays are common; our attorneys can ensure districts comply with legal deadlines and proper assessment standards.
We moved districts mid-year, and the new school is ignoring the IEP. Can they start over?
No. Federal law requires the new district to implement the existing IEP “as comparable services” until they hold a new IEP meeting. This prevents service gaps when families move. Our New Jersey Education Lawyers help enforce continuity and ensure your child isn’t penalized for a district transition.
What if my child is bullied by staff instead of students?
That’s still actionable. Harassment by teachers or administrators can violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), Title IX, or Section 504 if tied to disability, race, or gender. These cases require strategic evidence gathering, including witness statements and emails. We handle them with sensitivity—protecting your child while holding the district accountable.
How can I challenge a biased or unfair school investigation?
Schools often conduct internal investigations in response to bullying or misconduct complaints, but those are not always impartial. You can demand the investigative file, cross-check findings against your own documentation, and request an independent review. When bias or procedural violations are evident, our attorneys can pursue appeals or complaints with the New Jersey Department of Education or federal agencies.
My college student was found responsible in a Title IX case with little evidence. What’s the next step?
Appeals are time-sensitive and procedural. Most universities have internal deadlines—sometimes as short as five days—to challenge Title IX findings. Grounds for appeal include lack of due process, procedural errors, or new evidence. Our firm regularly represents college students across New Jersey and the U.S. in Title IX and academic integrity appeals, ensuring fairness at every stage.
The district accused us of living “out of district” and wants tuition reimbursement. What should we do?
Residency disputes are common and can become costly fast. Don’t panic—tuition demands can be appealed. We help families present documentation such as lease agreements, voter registration, and affidavits to prove domicile. Even if you’re temporarily displaced or sharing housing, your child may still qualify under the McKinney-Vento Act, protecting their right to attend their current school.
My child’s records show negative disciplinary notes we didn’t know about. Can we have them removed?
Yes. Under FERPA, parents and students have the right to inspect, review, and request corrections of inaccurate or misleading educational records. We help families draft correction requests and, when necessary, challenge a district’s refusal before the U.S. Department of Education or in state
Other Practice Areas of Education
- Special Education Law
- Title IX Compliance
- Discipline and Expulsion
- Bullying and Harassment
- Student Rights
- Teacher Rights
- School Governance
- Higher Education Law
- Disability Accommodations
- IEP Development and Implementation
- 504 Plan Compliance
- Due Process Hearings
- Mediation for Special Education Disputes
- Manifestation Determination Reviews
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Issues
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Disputes
- Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities
- Assistive Technology Access
- Private School Placement Reimbursement
- Evaluations and Assessments Disputes
- Charter School Law
- Private School Law
- Public School Law
- FERPA Compliance
- Academic Integrity Issues
- Discrimination Claims
- School Funding Disputes
- Curriculum Challenges
- School Safety Policies
- Standardized Testing Issues
- College Admissions Disputes