Attorney’s Fees

What To Expect

No Attorney’s Fees in Special Education Cases

In special education matters handled by Drew Christian, clients never pay attorney’s fees.

Many of the cases litigated by Drew Christian are brought under federal “fee-shifting” statutes designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities and their families. These laws allow individuals to pursue legal action without the burden of upfront legal costs.

  • Fee-shifting statutes require the defendant to pay the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees when the plaintiff prevails in a case. These laws exist to ensure that families can enforce important educational and civil rights protections.

    Common fee-shifting statutes relied upon in litigation include:

    • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    • The Civil Rights Act

    • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Because these laws allow recovery of attorney’s fees from the defendant, clients are often able to pursue valid claims without paying legal fees themselves.

  • Drew Christian uses a comprehensive screening process before accepting a case. Each matter is carefully evaluated to determine its legal merit and likelihood of success.

    Because he believes in the claims he brings and relies on applicable fee-shifting statutes, Drew Christian frequently represents clients without charging attorney’s fees, regardless of the outcome of the case.

  • In some cases, students may be awarded compensatory education, which provides educational services to remedy inadequate special education support.

    While some attorneys take a percentage of compensatory education awards as fees, Drew Christian’s philosophy is clear:

    Compensatory education funds are for the child’s education.

    For that reason, Drew Christian never uses compensatory education awards to pay attorney’s fees.

  • If you have questions about:

    • Special education law

    • School district liability

    • Available remedies

    • Attorney’s fees and costs

    please contact Drew Christian directly to discuss your situation.

    Call:(570) 343-1006