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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Education Attorney | May 18
Relationship: Co-worker
"Denise is an invaluable resource for all interested in the education law field. Her depth of knowledge is unsurpassed and her dedication to finding "real world" solutions is an asset to her clients. If you are in need of representation on any matter relating to the education law field look no further than Denise."
Education Attorney | Mar 02
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer. I have great respect for her insights and clear ability to separate the wheat from the chaff. I often recommend that clients who have any issues in the area of special education or civil rights contact her."
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