Susan Stone is co-chair, along with Kristina Supler, of KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group. She and Kristina also co-chair the firm’s Criminal, Cyber & White-Collar Practice Group.
Susan’s life work is to help students in crisis and to meet their legal needs. Recognizing the need for legal services dedicated to protecting students, professors and individuals with disabilities, Susan handles matter ranging from special education issues, student disciplinary matters and Title IX investigations. Susan has the knowledge and experience required to navigate due process complaints and shaping of 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs. She also handles student matters involving hazing, bullying and social media.
Susan has gained a national reputation for representing student and professors in Title IX cases. She is routinely hired as a student advisor for the campus investigation and hearing phase of proceedings and is also retained to handle subsequent university level appeals. Susan has also guided students through informal resolution, including mediation and restorative justice. Her talent as a student advisor has led to her representing Greek organizations and athletes, as well as other professionals accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. When cases do not resolve at the university level, she has experience fighting in state and federal courts around the country to obtain favorable outcomes for her clients.
Susan’s background in public relations and crisis communication led to her co-creation of the Reputation Management Practice. This practice assists clients in the rebuilding of their reputation on various social media platforms. Susan has also instituted defamation actions when necessary to stop her client’s professional and academic futures from being harmed by libelous postings on the internet.
Susan has a deep understanding of mental health and neurological disorders. She is particularly experienced working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”), which allows her to formulate creative defenses for those individuals with ASD and other co-morbidities facing discipline at school or being investigated by law enforcement. Susan is sensitive to the multiple challenges facing this growing population.
Given her experience representing individuals with mental health issues and the rise in students facing parallel criminal charges, Susan’s skills are frequently called upon in the criminal justice system. Susan partners with Kristina to represent adults and juveniles charged with crimes in the state and federal systems. Their clients have faced a variety of charges ranging from misdemeanors to high-level felonies.
Susan is a nationally published author, and blogger, on topics related to education law. She has lectured on subjects that vary from Twice Exceptional Students, FERPA and the handling of educational records, and how to determine when behavioral issues arise of disabilities of students. She has also spoken throughout the country at conferences on Title IX. In addition, Susan proudly co-hosts the podcast Real Talk with Susan and Kristina to discuss with outside guests cutting edge issues affecting students. Susan is regularly called upon by families and outside therapists to consult on legal matters affecting children.
Practice areas
4 years
4 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
OH | Active | 1995 | 07/24/2022 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Certificate of Completion in Restorative Justice Training | Skidmore College | 2017 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L. | 2018 - Present |
Principal | McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman, Co. Lpa | 2016 - 2018 |
Of Counsel | McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co Lpa | 2011 - 2016 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Families Advocating for Campus Equality | Member | 2016 - Present |
Stop Abusive & Violent Environment | Member | 2016 - Present |
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education | Member | 2016 - Present |
Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys | Member | 2012 - Present |
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. | Member | 2012 - Present |
Ohio State Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Smart Business Magazine | Lesson's for Parents About the Risks Their Children Face on Social Media | 2018 |
Smart Business Magazine | Restorative Justice Conflict Resolution Program Could Be Used to Resolve Workplace Issues | 2018 |
Crain's Cleveland Business | Ohio's Campus Disruption Act: Students beware | 2017 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | Campus Sexual Misconduct Investigations: Procedural Quicksand for Students | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | How Social Media Can Ruin Your College Career Before It Even Begins | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | When Yes Does Not Mean Yes | 2016 |
She In The CLE | Do's and don'ts of social media | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | SEEING THE BIG PICTURE: Create a binder of your child’s records for the ultimate collaboration tool | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | What are the Differences Between an IEP and a 504 Plan? | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | The Summit Highlights the Effectiveness of Women in Leadership | 2016 |
Cleveland Jewish News | Drinking in college can lead to Title IX charges | 2016 |
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal | Swimming in Different Ponds Navigating the Criminal and Civil Aspects of Campus Sexual Misconduct Proceedings | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | Is your student with disabilities in the right school? | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | When Medical Residents Claim Sex Discrimination: Which Law Applies, Title VII or Title IX? | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog, | Words Matter When It Comes to Learning Issues | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | Revenge Porn: Redefining the Meaning of Consent | 2016 |
Bar Journal of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association | Swimming in Different Ponds: Navigating the Criminal and Civil Aspects of Campus Sexual Misconduct Proceedings | 2016 |
Cleveland Jewish News | Drinking in college can lead to Title IX Charges | 2016 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | IEP Plan B: Revoking consent of your child’s special education services | 2015 |
Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association | Title IX: Addressing Sexual Discrimination and Violence in Schools | 2015 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | Sexual Assault on Campus: Guiding Students Through the Legal Minefield | 2015 |
Northeast Ohio Parent LiveSpecial Resource Guide | Understanding Alphabet Soup: A Guide to the Special Education Process | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | You Give Love a Bad Name – The Dual Nature of Dating Violence and Title IX | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | What Happens if my Disabled Child is Charged with a Crime at School? | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | A University Can Withhold a Degree if the Student is Not Professional | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | To Tweet or Not to Tweet | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | Importance of an Independent Educational Evaluation | 2015 |
McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog | Sexual Assault on Campus: Guiding Students Through the Legal Minefield | 2015 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | What is the Difference Between Bullying and Hazing? | 2014 |
Student Rights Attorney Blog | Is your student ready to go back to school? | 2014 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Case Western Reserve University | JD - Juris Doctor | N/A |
Miami University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The 2020 Virtual International Conference on ADHD | Healthy Sex Lives in College: How to Deal with Impulsivity | 2020 |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Title IX: What Due Process Looks Like Now | 2020 |
Kent State University | Avoiding Title IX Allegations During Internships | 2020 |
Indiana University | Consent: When the Bee Stings | 2020 |
COPAA National Conference | College Concerns: Helping Students with Disabilities Transition to College and Navigate Campus Disciplinary Proceedings | 2020 |
National Business Institute | Cyberbullying and Threats: School Authority and Liability | 2019 |
National Business Institute | 504 Plan Eligibility and Accommodation Best Practices | 2019 |
LACDL Jazz Fest | Defending Students in Title IX Proceedings | 2019 |
KJK College Kick-Off | Changing the Conversation Around Sex & Consent | 2019 |
Fraternal Law Conference | Don't Rush In: The New Conversation Around Sex and Consent on Camus | 2019 |
2019 Milestones National Autism Conference | College Concerns: Helping Students with ASD Navigate Campus Discipline Issues | 2019 |
The National Coalition for Men Carolinas | Forum on Higher Education: Crisis on Campus | 2018 |
Special Education Law: the Ultimate Guide | Manifestation Determination Review | 2018 |
National Business Institute | School Law: Social Media and Apps, Cyberbullying, Privacy and Other Technology Issues | 2018 |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Title IX for Criminal Defense Lawyers - Common Mistakes and Creative Strategies | 2018 |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Parallel Proceedings in Sexual Assault Cases: Finding Evidence and Avoiding Incrimination | 2018 |
Meritas Webinar | How #MeToo and Title IX Have Changed Campus Culture | 2018 |
Fourth Annual Symposium on Representing Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct | Handling the School Investigative Process | 2018 |
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer American Inn of Court | Title IX and Affirmative Action | 2018 |
Title IX ExecuSummit | Restorative Justice - a better alternative to the Title IX Hearing Process | 2017 |
National Business Institute | Student Records: Legal Requirements You Need to Know (FERPA) | 2017 |
Title IX ExecuSummit | How to Prevent a Title IX Lawsuit | 2016 |
International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio | A School of Options: How an attorney and advocate can open doors to new services for your child | 2016 |
International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio | A School of Options: How an attorney and advocate can open doors to new services for your child | 2016 |
Cleveland Jewish News | Women in Leadership | 2016 |
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities | Top 10 Tips for Parents | 2014 |
Protecting Your Special Needs Child | IEP Process - Protecting Your Child’s Rights in School | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Reversal of Student Scholarship Revoke | |
Wrongful Imprisonment Settlement |
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Jennifer Gorman, Education Attorney on Nov 12, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse Susan for her education practice and any type of litigation matter. Susan has the perfect combination of substantive knowledge and negotiation/litigation skills. Susan represents her clients zealously and she possesses the courtroom skills to take matters to a conclusion.
Sindy Warren, Education Attorney on Nov 10, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Susan is an amazing advocate with a sharp legal mind. She works effectively and efficiently to solve her clients' real world problems. I highly recommend Susan for any legal matter, though she shines in the area of education and discrimination law.
Ann-Marie Ahern, Education Attorney on Nov 10, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Susan is a skilled education lawyer, handing all aspects of school law including primary, secondary and special education issues, all the way through grad school. She is highly respected by her adversaries and loved by her clients.
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