I have litigated a large number of special education cases. I formed my own law firm on June 1, 2008. Between June 1, 2008 and October 26, 2009, I have represented 63 families in special education matters, and a number of other families with related issues, such as dealing with adult service providers.

Of the 63 families, 12 remain pending as of the end of October 2009. I filed for due process in 15 of the cases and went to mediation in 19 cases. I negotiated agreements for 43 of the families. I have not had a case go all the way through hearing to a decision since early 2008. About half of my clients come from Fairfield County, with the rest scatter throughout the state.

Since the beginning of 2005, I have filed, on behalf of clients, over 80 due process actions. Seventy-six of those cases were resolved by agreement of the parties before a decision was rendered by the Hearing Officer. In virtually all of those cases, my clients were satisfied with the agreement and gladly signed the settlement agreement.

Of the three that went to full hearing and decision, we prevailed in one:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Hearing_Decisions/2007/07_046.pdf

In a second case, we lost in what I continue to think was an outrageous decision:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Hearing_Decisions/06_173.pdf

In the third, we received the relief sought but had the matter dismissed on procedural grounds.

Other positive decisions I have won for my clients include:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Hearing_Decisions/2004/04_231.pdf

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Hearing_Decisions/2002/02_314.pdf

I have been lead counsel in ten cases in federal court in the past decade. One decision of which I am particularly proud is Warton v. New Fairfield Board of Education, 217 F. Supp. 2d 261 (D.Conn. 2002), in which we succeeded in placing a learning disabled student in the general education environment. I am also proud of the ruling I was able to secure permitting a private suit for damages in M.H. v. Bristol Board of Education, 169 F.Supp. 2d 21 (D.Conn. 2001).