Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton Education Law Practice Group has extensive experience, serving public school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts, independent schools, and universities on legal issues which impact all facets of school operations.
Education Law Group Areas of Expertise:
General School Law Compliance
- Board Policies & Administrative Guidelines
- Board Governance
- Public School Legislation and Laws
- Michigan Revised School Code
- Freedom of Information Act
- Open Meetings Act
- Robert’s Rules of Order
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- Conflicts of Interest and Compatibility of Offices
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Checks
- School Election Laws
- Crisis Management and Response
- Safety and Security
School Business
- Purchasing and Competitive Bidding
- School Construction and related professional services contracts
- Real Estate Issues
- Leasing
- Land Use Regulation
- Cell Tower Leasing
- Telecommunications
- Retirement and Employee Benefits
- Technology
- School Election Laws
- Contract Drafting
- Outsourcing of NOn-Instructional Services
- Pupil Transportation
- Food Services
- Facility Operations and Management, including Custodial, Grounds and Facility
- Maintenance
- Intellectual Property
- Environmental Regulations
- Educational Foundations & Charitable Giving
Tenure
- Compliance with the Michigan Teachers’ Tenure Act
- Filing of Teacher Tenure Charges
- Representation before the Michigan Teacher Tenure Commission
Labor Law
- Collective Bargaining
- Administration of Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Grievance Arbitrations
- Mediation & Fact Finding
- Unfair Labor Practice Charges
- Union Campaigns & Elections
Employment Advice
- Federal and State Equal Employment Opportunity Laws
- Employee Handbooks and Personnel Policy Manuals
- Employment Contracts
- Severance Agreements
- Employment Counseling and Training
- Family & Medical Leave Act
- Disability Accommodations
- Criminal Background Checks
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- State Wage& Hours Laws
- Social Media
- Unemployment Compensation
- Teacher & Staff Evaluations
- Employee Discipline
- Harassment/Bullying
- Freedom to Work
- Weapons in Schools
- First Amendment and Establishment Clause
- Occupational Safety & Health Investigations
- Employee Discipline & Investigations
Employment Defense/ Education Law Litigation
- Whistleblowers’ Protection Act
- Civil Rights Litigation under Federal and State Civil Rights Laws, including alleged discrimination based on race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, religion, pregnancy, marital status, heigh and weight
- Compliance Audits by the Office of Civil Rights Wage and Hour Laws Administrative Proceedings
- Michigan Employment Relations Commission
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights
- Teacher Tenure Commission
- Michigan Wage/House Division
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- U.S. Department of Education
Employment Benefits & Compensation
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Compliance
- Public Acts 54 and 152 of 2011
- 403 (b) Plans
- Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Compliance
