Mary E Broadhurst

In 2009 Mary won the Forest Grove case at the United States Supreme Court.  Mary’s background makes her uniquely qualified to understand the issues facing families with children with disabilities. She was the third child in a family of ten children, the oldest girl. In addition to caring for younger siblings, at the age of thirteen Mary began working with children with disabilities at a summer camp. She attended a vocational high school where she received instruction in child development and received two years of experience working at a pre-school for children with disabilities. During college, Mary’s course work focused on education, including two years in a special education degree program. Throughout college Mary worked as a crisis intervention residential counselor for adults with developmental disabilities. Since 1991, with the exception of two education related civil rights cases, Mary has exclusively represented individuals with disabilities in the area of special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

What Services Does Mary Provide?

IEP Checkup:
Congress included many procedural requirements for what must be included in IEP’s. Mary has reviewed a great many IEP’s over the 20 years she has been practicing special education law. On a regular basis, she sees how IEP’s can be improved to meet the requirements of the law. Students with good IEP’s typically make more progress, as their needs are more adequately met. For a flat fee of $500, Mary will review your child’s current IEP, the last IEP, progress reports, eligibility reports, and evaluations. She will inform you of any faults in the IEP and, if you desire, will write a cordial letter to your School District requesting that the inadequacies be corrected.

Participation in Eligibility, IEP and Placement Meetings:

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Congress envisioned parents as equal participants in the development of individual education programs for their children. Mary’s goal is to ensure that the collaborative process intended by Congress is used to make decisions, thereby strengthening the role of parents. Her preferred clients are those she works with long term, allowing her an opportunity to build a history with the student and family to better meet their needs. Mary’s hourly rate is $200 with travel billed at half rate.

Manifestation Determination/Expulsion Hearings:

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools may not expel students when their behaviors are the result of their disabilities. Mary will protect your child's rights to a free and appropriate education.

Residential Cases:

Over the years Mary has developed a specialty area of legal representation in residential cases. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, educational needs are construed broadly by case law to include "academic, social, health, emotional, communicative, physical and vocational needs." Residential cases arise when a student requires a residential placement in order to meaningfully benefit from their education. Cases also arise where parents have placed their child in a residential placement because what a district has offered is inadequate and there are no specialized private day programs available.  Mary has refined her ability to recognize fact patterns which support a winning case. At hearing, between 2000 and 2009, Mary’s clients have prevailed in 72% of cases. Of the cases won at hearing which were appealed, all but one were upheld or are pending decision. Additionally, Mary has obtained good financial settlements in a number of residential cases.  If you are considering placing your child in a residential setting, please consult with Mary prior to placement as you will want some guidance in writing the notice letter to the District, which will preserve your claim for residential reimbursement. Without adequate notice to the District, an administrative law judge may reduce or even deny reimbursement.  Mary’s hourly rate is $200 and hearing fees are capped at $20,000.