2012 Spring Law Conference
MO-CASE will once again sponsor the Spring Law Conference along with the Thomeczek & Brink Law Firm. The date is Friday, March 9th at the Lodge of Four Seasons. The keynote speaker for the event will be Julie Weatherly.
Julie Weatherly is one of, if not the preeminent speakers on legal issues in special education. For five years, Julie has authored the “legal update” section of the newsletter for the National Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). In addition, CASE has recently published the “Lucky 21” series of quick-reference guides for educators. The first “Lucky 21” guide is entitled “Avoiding Legal Disputes in Special Education: 21 Training Points for Administrators.” The second “Lucky 21” guide is entitled “Section 504: 21 Myths and Realities for School Personnel.” An additional “Lucky 21” guide addressing Discipline of Students with Disabilities is currently underway. In March of 2000, Julie established RISE, Inc. primarily for the purpose of providing consulting services to public school districts and other educational agencies and assisting them in maintaining compliance with the law and avoiding special education legal disputes. Having provided legal representation since 1986 to school agencies exclusively in the area of special education law, Julie believed that her clients (as well as students with disabilities) would be better served by first exploring preventive avenues before formal litigation ensues. As a part of these preventive services, RISE provides ongoing consultation, policy/procedure review, in-service training, workshops, conferences and seminars for educators. In addition, RISE has access to a variety of experts in the field of special education and special services provision to assist local and state educational agencies in their efforts to effectively and efficiently educate students with disabilities. Where necessary, RISE also continues to provide formal representation in matters that have become litigious, including representation at formal or informal mediation sessions, due process hearings or court proceedings, where necessary. Julie has provided legal representation and consultation in the areas of special education and anti-discrimination law, defending school districts in cases arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Litigation experience includes representation of school districts in court proceedings, administrative due process hearings and in formal and informal mediation sessions.
The cost of the Law Conference is the same as last year. $125 for MO-CASE Supporters and $150 for Non-Supporters. Those fees will go up after the Early Bird date of MARCH 1st! Rooms can be reserved for $99 by calling the Lodge at 1-888-265-5500. The room rate is $99.
LAW CONFERENCE AGENDA
8:00-9:00 - - Registration
9:00 - 9:15 - - Introductions/Welcome
9:15 –11:30 - - Keynote: Julie Weatherly
11:30-12:00 - - MO-CASE Business Meeting
12:00 –1:00 - - Lunch
New Directors Follow Up Meeting- Dave Willard from Thomeczek & Brink will join the New Director's at a Working Lunch-Strategies for Avoiding Due Process and When Contacting an Attorney is Appropriate
1:00-2:30- - Top Ten Hot Topics- Thomeczek Attorneys- Jim Thomeczek, Bo Thomeczek, John Brink, Dave Willard and Heidi Atkins Lieberman
2:45-4:00 - - Educator Panel- Strategies, Programs, Due Process
4:00-4:30 -- Question and Answer Period
4:30-6:00 - - Reception- Thomeczek & Brink Law Firm
Featuring live music by "Planet Jazz"!!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!