Courtney Diane Bhatt

We want to express our deepest gratitude to Courtney Bhatt for her recent work on a complex special education issue in a rural school district in the greater Seattle area. Our gentle, autistic child was in a miserable kindergarten situation in which she was repeatedly intimidated, humiliated and pun...ished for autistic behaviors (including an inability to express herself verbally) by untrained staff assistants and a classroom teacher who inexplicably refused to fully incorporate the advice of autism experts. All polite attempts we made to address these issues ourselves failed. Add to this scenario a principal with a history of secretive behavior and a district special education director who routinely bullies and intimidates staff, students and parents. It was an absolute mess and our young child suffered greatly—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Moreover, the district placed our child and her disabled peers in a moldy classroom which sickened our child (as well as other children and staff) and then steadfastly refused to address the issue in a timely or thorough manner. The good news is that all this changed when Courtney entered the equation. Courtney has polite, soft-spoken mannerisms but is firm and very authoritative. She sorted through the multiple violations of special education law and obtained a formal mold testing. This testing confirmed the existence of black mold and above average levels of several other types of mold in a few classrooms, including our daughter’s. Courtney skillfully navigated the unprofessional and unethical behaviors of two district administrators and certain school staff. She quickly negotiated a new school placement for our daughter with a compassionate teacher who understands autism. Additionally, Courtney was instrumental in crafting a new IEP with goals and accommodations which made sense for our daughter. Moreover, Courtney always actively listened to our many concerns regarding the matter. She always made time for us. Courtney is clearly a brilliant attorney who knows the law. Her responses to emails and phone calls were lightning-fast and she treated us with the utmost respect and regard. Thanks to Courtney's intervention, our daughter's natural joy has returned and she finished her school year in an autism-friendly school with clean air! Our child is looking forward to returning to that same school in the fall. Courtney's work was so much more than just "legal help." Her advocacy on our daughter's behalf had a profound impact on a disabled child's QUALITY OF LIFE. We do not say this lightly. Special education lawyers advocate for so much more than just a good school setting or a decent IEP, they are advocating for the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable, innocent children in society who cannot speak for themselves. We are forever grateful to Courtney for her strong moral compass and her skilled, compassionate advocacy on our daughter's behalf. It made all the difference in the life of one small child. Thank you, Courtney.