Timoney Knox provides a comprehensive range of legal services to Pennsylvania public school districts. Unlike other firms, which find it expedient to create school law practice groups that focus exclusively upon this practice area, we believe that it serves the broader interest of school districts for their legal advisors to possess complementary professional skills. Therefore, it is not uncommon for our attorneys who counsel school boards to be engaged in other practice areas that enhance their value to their educational clients.
Timoney Knox is committed to the ideals of public education. We view our continued service to school districts not so much as a business opportunity, but as a chance to contribute to the public good. It is equipped to meet virtually all of a school district's legal needs. Our attorneys:
•· counsel districts under the Public School Code and other state and federal laws and administrative decisions;
•· negotiate, review, and draft contracts, leases, licenses, real estate agreements, service contracts, supply and equipment agreements and District policies;
•· represent districts in special education litigation, including due process hearings and federal court litigation;
•· serve as chief negotiator in collective bargaining;
•· represent districts in labor contract grievance arbitration hearings;
•· represent districts in student expulsion hearings;
•· represent districts in real estate tax assessment appeals and associated litigation;
•· provide districts with labor and employment counseling;
•· advise districts concerning employee discipline;
•· defend districts in litigation involving constitutional rights, employment and general liability claims;
•· represent districts in local agency hearings, including dismissal proceedings under the School Code;
•· represent districts in matters before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, including unfair labor practice hearings, bargaining unit certification matters as others;
•· attend school board meetings;
•· review policies, handbooks, and other written media for legal compliance;
•· present in-service seminars to administrators and professional staff;
•· provide school law presentations to school boards;
•· conduct internal investigations incident to employment decisions as well as employee and student disciplinary matters;
•· serve as advocates for districts in disputes involving third parties, particularly contractors; and
•· represent districts in land use and other appellate issues before Pennsylvania's appellate courts.
