By the time you decide to hire a special education attorney, the stakes are high. You are frustrated with the school and worried about your child. Not only can retaining the wrong lawyer waste your time and money, it can permanently damage your child's education. So how do you choose the right law firm? Start by assessing these nine requirements. If you haven't already, read Part 1 and Part 2 of this three-part series first.
7. Prioritize Professionalism. Make sure the lawyer establishes professional boundaries. Without boundaries, the attorney-client relationship can erode, leading to poor communication, billing-controversies, and mutual-frustration. So how can you assess professionalism in your initial interactions with the lawyer? Read over the agreement of representation. Does it clearly define the responsibilities and rights of both the attorney and the parent? Are you informed of the payment structure and frequency of billing? Think about your initial conversations with the lawyer. Did the attorney inquire about the best way to communicate with you? Did the attorney inform you about the best way to communicate with him? Did the attorney set expectations about the frequency of your communication? Without communication and expectation setting, the attorney-client relationship will fail.
8. Discuss the Forest and the Trees. The special education journey is a long one. You need to find a lawyer that will address your immediate concerns (the "trees") while simultaneously helping you achieve your long-term goals for your child (the "forest"). A good special education lawyer will inquire about your short-term and long-term concerns help you formulate a step-by-step plan that addresses both.
9. Contract with a Child-Centric Firm. The best special education lawyers became education attorneys, not for the money or the prestige, but to help children. Look for an attorney who redirects conversations to your child's needs and shows sensitivity to your parental concerns. Special education law shouldn't be about money, revenge, and "winning;" it's about helping your child get the education he or she needs and deserves.
If you are looking for a special education advocate in Massachusetts, contact Boston area attorney Lillian E. Wong today.
How To Choose a Special Education Lawyer - Part 3