Sweet Stevens Attorneys to Appear at National CASE Conference
News Release
New Britain, PA – Four attorneys from Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP will present two sessions at the upcoming Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) Conference, a premier event for special education administrators. The conference is scheduled for November 6-8, 2024 at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia.
CASE, an international nonprofit organization with over 5,300 members, leads efforts to advance special education through instruction, policy, and advocacy. The Sweet Stevens team, accompanied by a local school district executive, plan to deliver a comprehensive learning experience to attendees through their sessions.
Partners Christina M. Stephanos and Jane M. Williams, along with A.J. Kise, the Director of Special and Alternative Education for the Nazareth Area School District, will present “Surprise: Your Presence is Requested at the Due Process Hearing Regarding Student X” on Friday, November 8th from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. This session will discuss triggers for due process hearings in special education, including how a parent letter or attorney request may highlight perceived district shortcomings. It will examine school staff responses and the discrepancy between their belief in strong support and the reality of unresolved parental concerns. Participants will engage in an interactive discussion on procedural issues and relational factors—such as respect, communication, and accountability—that can lead to litigation, followed by a Q&A session.
Stephanos, a former special education teacher, regularly consults with districts on developing and implementing IEPs and Section 504 agreements and defends them in attorney-attended meetings and due process hearings. Williams, one of the most experienced special education attorneys in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, provides both proactive and defense representation to school entities across all phases of special education litigation.
Senior Associates Maria B. Desautelle and Rose E. McHugh will present “Residential Placements: The Collision Between Educational Necessity and LRE” on Friday, November 8th from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. This session will address the legal and practical considerations with regard to residential placements. It will explore whether these placements represent an educational need under IDEA, requiring district action, or a medical or personal need outside the district's responsibility. The session will emphasize the obligation to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. Presenters will use case examples to foster discussion on district versus parental responsibilities.
Desautelle’s clients benefit from her extensive experience representing governmental agencies and school districts through all phases of special education, mental health and child welfare matters. McHugh specializes in special education and student services. She previously served as an assistant district attorney at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
For more information on the annual CASE conference, visit https://www.casecec.org/the-case-conference.
Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams, LLP was formed in 1995 by nine experienced education lawyers who created the first private law practice in Pennsylvania dedicated entirely to Education Law. Since then, the firm has grown to 26 attorneys who represent over 290 school and municipal entities as Solicitors or as Special Counsel in more than 50 counties throughout Pennsylvania, and in additional practice areas, such as Construction Law, Tax Assessment Appeals, Audit of Operations and Practices, Real Estate Law and Oil, Gas and Mineral Law.