Top best Education Lawyers in Mesa | 14 available

Ms. Davis' practice is primarily focused in the area of education law, representing and advising charter schools and school districts throughout the state. In her practice, Ms. Davis provide daily advice and assistance to school districts, charter schools, and other public educational institutions on a broad range of matters including, but not limited to, disability law matters, such as special education due process hearings, Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) complaints, and special education state complaints; student discipline; personnel issues; Governing Board liability; open meeting laws; public records issues; EEOC Complaints; and employment law matters.. Prior to completing her legal education, Ms. Davis worked as a school psychologist for twelve years in both Arizona and Washington State.  As a school psychologist, Ms. Davis was primarily responsible for conducting comprehensive evaluations of students, as well as was routinely involved in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Plans (“IEP”), behavior plans, and functional behavioral assessments.

I studied mathematics at Renssealaer Polytechnic Institute before transferring to SUNY Oneonta to become a teacher.  While searching for my first permanent teaching position, my father suffered a heart attack and I went to work in his custom woodworking business.  That was intended to last only until he got back on his feet.  Ten years later, I was still at it.  Then, for family reasons, my wife and I moved to Arizona.  The initial plan was for me to get a masters degree and return to teaching, until my father-in-law suggested that I consider law school, which at the time in Arizona was very affordable.  "Besides," he argued, "even if you did not like law, you would still have an advanced degree to use to get back to teaching."  As it turns out, the practice of law was a perfect fit.. While custom woodworking and the practice of law might appear to have nothing in common, both require patience, exacting standards, and attention to detail.  My father and I never worried about satisfying a customer becuase invariably my father's standards and expectations were much higher than the customers.  If he was satisfied, the customer was satisfied.  That is the same work ethic I apply in my practice.. Obviously, my background in education is relevant to my current role as Director of Legal Services for the East Valley Institute of Technology.. I am admitted to practice in Arizona, the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

I joined Udall Shumway PLC in 2009. My practice primarily focuses in the area of education law, representing school districts and charter schools throughout the State.. -. I came to Udall Shumway PLC uniquely qualified in the area of education law. Prior to joining Udall Shumway, I taught behavior disordered students. During my teaching career, I was involved in the development and implementation of IEPs and behavior plans and attended several trainings on special education interventions and strategies. Additionally, I earned my Master’s Degree in Special Education in 2004.. -. While in law school, I provided in-home ABA services for autistic children under the age of three. I also participated in the Whittier Law School Special Education Clinic, which provided special education advocacy services for children with developmental disabilities. In addition, I was a panel speaker for the 2007 Whittier Law School Special Education Symposium and the 2006 11Q Deletion Syndrome Conference.

I have  been practicing law at Udall Shumway since 1987 and have been a partner of the firm since 1993. I head the firm’s education law practice group and am very pleased to devote my practice entirely to representing school districts, charter schools and other public educational institutions.. -. I provide daily advice and assistance to school districts and other public educational institutions. I represent and defend educational institutions in administrative and court proceedings. I advise and represent school districts and charter schools in matters that include: student disciplinary hearings, personnel issues, student records, governing board liability and open meeting issues. I have also given numerous in-service workshops to district personnel on a wide range of topics of importance to the educational operations of the districts and am a regular speaker to state-wide conferences.. -. I have been named a “Top Education Attorney” by Phoenix Magazine and have been selected by my peers as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the specialty of Education Law.. -. I have been a regular presenter at State-wide conferences and conduct a great many in-service and training programs for school personnel on a variety of topics relating to education law.  I have also authored articles for National and State publications on a variety of topics of interest to educators. Most recently, an article I authored on Report Cards and Transcripts for Students With Disabilities was published in the “Attorney’s Corner” of NAU’s eJournal of Education Policy.. -. I am a member of the National School Board Association, Arizona School Boards Association and Arizona Council of School Attorneys. I have also been an adjunct faculty member for Arizona State University, teaching graduate level Education Law classes for the College of Education, Division of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.  I have been on the steering committee for the Arizona School Administrators “Principal and the Law” conference for approximately 14 years.   I have also been a regular speaker at the annual law conferences sponsored by the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).  In March 2009, I was presented with the Laura Ganoung Award, which is CASE’s highest award recognizing leadership in the area of special education.

I concentrate my practice on education law, and represent public school districts throughout Arizona.  My practice is focused on student discipline, employee discipline, IDEA compliance and hearings, IDEA appeals, as well as general advice for school districts.. I was a commercial litigator for 16 years before I began representing school districts.  I have conducted jury and bench trials in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative judicial bodies.. I have been practicing since 1996. I am admitted to practice before the Arizona, Illinois and Michigan state courts, and numerous federal courts.

Admitted to practice law in Arizona and Indiana.

Experienced Education attorney serving clients in Mesa and surrounding areas.

Experienced Education attorney serving clients in Mesa and surrounding areas.

Experienced Education attorney serving clients in Mesa and surrounding areas.

Experienced Education attorney serving clients in Mesa and surrounding areas.

Experienced Education attorney serving clients in Mesa and surrounding areas.