Cooper & Walinski represents school districts, educational service centers, and joint vocational districts as well as individual schools and private and public colleges and universities.  Cooper & Walinski assists other public entities with compliance issues and litigation.

Attorneys in the Education and Public Law Practice Area have extensive experience in:

• Consultation regarding board organization and operational issues, including ethics, sunshine laws, public records requests, and the development and revision of board policies;
• Drafting, negotiating, and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, including grievances, arbitrations, impasse proceedings, strike preparation, and unfair labor practice proceedings;
• Compliance with federal and state employment laws and regulations, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, Title IX, OSHA, and workers' compensation;
• Representation before state and federal administrative agencies, including OCRC, EEOC, SERB, OSHA, OFCCP, and BWC;
• Defense and prosecution of claims and appeals in state and federal courts;
• Discipline, non-renewal, and termination of school district and university employees;
• Student rights and responsibilities, including discipline, custody, residency, transportation, and tuition;
• Special education services, including counseling, assistance in developing IEPs, due-process proceedings, mediation, and court appeals;
• Negotiation and closing of real-estate purchases and preparation of agreements;
• Negotiation and review of vendor contracts; and
• In-service training of school-district employees and supervisors.

Cooper & Walinski attorneys are active in state and local organizations, including the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys, the Ohio School Board Association, the Ohio Management Lawyers Association, and state and local bar associations.