Jump to Navigation

School Law & Special Education

Attorneys Representing Students and Families

Children have a right to a free and appropriate education in the public school system. They also have other rights that must be respected by the school. The attorneys of the Pellegrino Law Firm represent and counsel families in issues involving school law and special education.

Protecting Your Child's Rights in Disciplinary Issues

We assist clients whose children are the focus of school disciplinary proceedings for truancy, violations of student dress code, behavior, smoking, drugs, alcohol or other issues. If your child has been suspended or expelled, please contact us to discuss how we can be of assistance. Our lawyers represent clients in negotiations with the pupil services representative and at suspension or expulsion hearings before the board of education as well as in court proceedings.

Helping Families With Special Needs

We also represent parents of children with special needs, helping them navigate the complex network of rights, regulations and procedures required to obtain appropriate services for their children. We deal with a wide range of placement, programming and disciplinary issues, including:

  • Identification and evaluation of children with special needs
  • Design of appropriate programming
  • Behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans
  • Development and execution of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans
  • Independent Educational Evaluations
  • Alternative placements initiated by the school or by parents'
  • Least restrictive environment or mainstream placements

Whether your issue involves the application of the No Child Left Behind Act or the failure of a school to accommodate your child's allergy to peanuts or mold, we can advise you of your rights and advocate in your child's best interest.

Leading You Through the Process

Parents can feel overwhelmed by the options available to them and frustrated in their attempts to make a cumbersome bureaucracy work for their child. We can review the facts, present you with a recommended course of action and execute the agreed on plan.

If you are involved in a dispute with your child's school or need help sifting through your choices, please contact the Pellegrino Law Firm in New Haven, Connecticut. Call us toll free at

Located in New Haven, the Pellegrino Law Firm represents clients throughout Connecticut; including residents of West Haven, Hamden, Meriden, Middletown, Waterbury, Danbury, Shelton, Milford, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, New London, Norwich, Mansfield Center, Hartford, New Britain, Windsor, Enfield, Torrington, New Haven County, Middlesex County and Fairfield County. 

FirmSite® by FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters business.