Pro Bono
When Students Need Help
Nelson Mullins attorneys represent students, primarily those with special needs, through the pro bono Student Advocacy Project. Firm lawyers advocate for students in a variety of school administrative proceedings, including special education meetings, discipline proceedings, state special education complaints, due process hearings under IDEA, and appeals of administrative proceedings to state circuit court and federal district court. The goal is to resolve disputes between school districts and families by achieving the best result possible for the student while preserving or repairing the relationship between the family and the school district.
A related project is the Conservatorship/Guardianship Project. Attorneys represent parents of students with disabilities by assisting them in obtaining appropriate guardianship after the student reaches legal age.
In addition, several attorneys have worked in conjunction with the N.C. Counsel for Children’s Rights on Project IMPACT (Inspiring and Motivating Parent Assistance through Collaboration and Training) over the past two years. Recently, Nelson Mullins donated research books to allow further training of lay volunteers to assist with IEP meetings and will be assisting the project throughout the school year.
