Unique Expertise
K Altman Law stands out as one of the only student defense firms in Michigan that combines the expertise of education professionals and attorneys. This unique combination ensures that students across Michigan receive the most effective defense possible and the best chance for success.
While many law firms may take on student defense cases, K Altman Law specializes in them. Our team includes former college professors and administrators, a superintendent, K-12 teachers and administrators, and special education experts. No other law firm in Michigan can match the depth of knowledge and expertise we bring to helping clients.
Successfully defending students requires specific, in-depth experience with the education system. Our former educators and school administrators understand the educational landscape and how to navigate it because they have worked directly within it. Our comprehensive knowledge of higher education and K-12 education allows us to secure the best possible student outcomes in Michigan cities like Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Farmington Hills.
Experience Matters
Our student defense team has represented hundreds of students in various types of cases at schools nationwide, including many in Michigan. We have successfully defended students in elementary schools, high schools, nursing schools, undergraduate and graduate programs, medical schools, and PhD programs. Our experience spans public and private K-12 schools and universities in Michigan cities like Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Farmington Hills. We know what works and what doesn’t because we’ve been there.
Local Attorney Versus Student Defense Firm
Local attorneys may be nearby but may not specialize in student defense or be familiar with state and federal education laws, regulations, and customs. As a national firm with a significant presence in Michigan, K Altman Law is not impacted by local politics. We aren’t intimidated and take on cases other law firms won’t. Our national experience gives us expertise in education standards and practices across the country, ensuring we can hold schools in Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Farmington Hills accountable to laws they might not even know exist.
You could hire another law firm, and they might have excellent attorneys. However, defending students requires more than just common legal knowledge. Just as you wouldn’t hire a taxation lawyer to handle your criminal trial, you shouldn’t hire a law firm that doesn’t specialize in student defense to handle your case. Defending students is our focus; we do it daily and achieve results for our clients across Michigan.
Personal Commitment
Our clients come to us with their educational and professional futures on the line. They trust us, and we take that trust very seriously. Our clients aren’t just case numbers; they’re individuals. Fighting for them and protecting their rights is our responsibility. We know the education system well, including how it works and where it falls short. We are committed to justice in education and dedicated to helping our clients in Michigan.
Why Now?
Whether you’ve just received misconduct allegations or are already deep in the disciplinary process, the time to get support is now. Developing a strategy to defend yourself immediately is critical to success. A simple mistake early in the disciplinary process can make fighting accusations more difficult. You need to know your rights and hold your school accountable. Schools may not automatically judge you fairly, follow their policies, or respect education laws. It takes in-depth experience and knowledge of school policies, procedures, and regulations to fight allegations successfully. The school won’t look out for you, but we will. What you don’t know can hurt you and cost you your education. The sooner you get assistance from an education and legal advisor, the better your chances of protecting yourself and your education.
Services We Provide
Student Defense
– Assign a case manager (advisor) from our student defense team to interview you and investigate the facts of your matter.
– Research the incident and related policies to ensure that the school followed all proper procedures accorded to you for due process.
– Engage in strategy discussions about the best course(s) of action to take on your behalf.
– Manage all communications between you and the school.
– Draft any available appeals on your behalf.
– Support you through any scheduled hearings by training you to answer questions and help you prepare opening and closing statements.
– Appear with you (remotely) at all hearings as allowed by school rules.
– If no additional appeals are available or we have exhausted all available appeals, the firm will write a letter to the school’s attorney outlining our concerns. Attorney Altman (or another firm attorney) will then schedule a call with the school’s attorney and advocate for a favorable resolution.
Special Education (SPED)
– Conduct a full documentation review of current educational records and pertinent medical information.
– Interpret evaluation data and make professional recommendations to the school-based team regarding current gaps in services/programming and instructional best practices to address your child’s individualized needs, including the current concern for recognizing the ASD diagnosis.
– Request the development of a Behavior Intervention Plan to address ongoing behaviors through completing a Functional Behavior Assessment.
– Attend your IEP meeting with you remotely to negotiate an appropriate educational plan for your child to be placed in the least restrictive environment with reasonable support.
– Review subsequent documents relating to the IEP and Prior Written Notice to ensure they accurately reflect the discussion and decisions made in the meeting.
– Advocate for and support you at any Manifestation Determination meetings or other meetings with school officials.
Title IX
Title IX cases require particular expertise that is not found in most attorneys and law firms. It is critical that you be advised by expert professionals with specific experience in Title IX cases. Our attorneys and Student Defense Advisors specialize in defending and advocating for students in Title IX matters. Our team brings in-depth and extensive knowledge of Title IX laws and regulations to ensure you receive a fair investigation and hearing, the most substantial possible representation, and the best potential for success.
– Assign a case manager (advisor) from our student defense team to interview you and investigate your matter’s facts.
– Research the incident and related policies to ensure that the school followed all proper procedures accorded to you for due process.
– Engage in strategy discussions about the best course(s) of action to take on your behalf.
– Work with the school to ensure the allegations are handled according to Federal Law Title IX processes.
– Manage all communications between you and the school.
– Prepare you for and attend investigation interviews.
– Draft evidence submissions and responses to investigation reports.
– Advise you at a hearing, including hearing preparation, coaching, and cross-examination of witnesses.
– Handle any appeals following the Title IX decision.
Benefits of a Consultation
Our attorneys will provide the best possible advice about your rights, options, and how we can help. If you decide to handle your situation independently, our attorneys will advise you on your educational entitlements and the best way to meet your goals.
By focusing on cities like Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Farmington Hills, we ensure that students in Michigan receive the specialized defense they need to protect their educational futures.
