Education Law Lawyers

Our Hamilton education law lawyers are committed to representing school boards and other institutional entities in education law matters. We aim to provide comprehensive legal services to school boards across Hamilton, Burlington, and the rest of Southern Ontario. When it comes to our institutional clients, we regularly assist with:

• Education Act compliance
• Litigation representation
• Contract review
• Policy development
• And more

With more than 25 years of experience acting for educational institutions–primarily public boards of education–our education law group is ready to assist with your legal matter.

Education Law Services We Offer

We provide advice and representation regarding a broad range of matters, including:

1. Compliance with Education Legislation and Policy

As an educational institution, it is important to remain compliant with all relevant provincial and federal legislation to avoid disputes and legal claims. Our education lawyers assist institutions with:

• Interpretation of the Ontario Education Act and its regulations
• Interpretation and application of Ministry of Education Policy
• The development and updating of school board policies and procedures in accordance with provincial and federal law
• And more

2. Student Rights, Special Education & Disciplinary Matters

Although we do not represent students or parents in education law matters, we do represent school boards and institutions when it comes to student rights disputes and disciplinary matters. 

In terms of special education requirements, our lawyers can offer legal guidance on student accommodations, appropriate individualized education plans (IEPs), and accessibility compliance.

We have experience handling safe schools disputes, student suspensions, and student expulsions on behalf of institutions. We also represent school boards in student expulsion appeals before the Child and Family Services Review Board. In doing so, we aim to provide legal support in student discipline policies and regulatory compliance.

Our education law group can also:

• Ensure your compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code regarding accommodations for special education and religion
• Advise school boards on interactions with parents, guardians, and Children’s Aid Societies regarding child protection concerns
• Address legal issues related to students’ Charter rights
• Assist school staff in effectively dealing with family law disputes between parents of students
• And more

3. School Board Operations & Institutional Support

Our legal team also has experience advising on internal operations for educational institutions. We can guide school board interactions with local police services, offering legal recommendations when it comes to collaboration between school and law enforcement for student safety. In addition, our Hamilton education law lawyers can assist with employment and labour relations issues

4. Contractual & Institutional Agreements

SimpsonWigle LAW LLP assists district school boards and other institutions with a wide range of contracts and agreements, including:

• Employment agreements
• Professional development agreements
• Enrolment agreements
• Special education agreements
• Behaviour and discipline agreements
• Service agreements
• Consulting agreements
• Partnership agreements
• Funding agreements
• Accountability agreements
• Privacy agreements
• Alternative education program agreements
• Specialized education partnerships
• Mediation and settlement agreements
• Intellectual property agreements
• Construction contracts
• And more

Why Work With Our Hamilton Education Lawyers?

At SimpsonWigle LAW LLP, our commitment to providing strategic advocacy and mitigating risks for our institutional clients is unmistakable. Whether school boards require assistance with regulatory compliance or require strong representation when it comes to disputes, we are ready to assist.

When you work with our Hamilton education law lawyers, you gain the advantage of: 

Local Knowledge: We have extensive experience working with district school boards, institutions, and other school authorities across Southern Ontario. As a result, we have a deep understanding of local laws and regulations that we apply to our clients’ legal matters.

Cost-Effective Legal Solutions: Our Hamilton education law lawyers aim to offer efficient, practical legal strategies suited for school boards.

Experience in Education Law: Education law is a niche area of law that is not practiced by many firms in Ontario. For this reason, SimpsonWigle LAW LLP serves as a unique and trusted resource to educational institutions in the province.

Comprehensive Legal Support Across the Firm: Our firm is multi-disciplinary with a range of legal groups and focuses. Our employment lawyers, construction lawyers, or other groups may be able to offer additional legal support or insights depending on the unique needs of the school board.

Facing a Legal Matter as a School Board or Educational Institution? Our Hamilton Education Lawyers Can Help

If your school board needs experienced legal support, SimpsonWigle LAW LLP is ready to assist. Whether you are facing litigation or need help managing internal operations, we can provide legal guidance. Contact our education law lawyers today to discuss your legal needs and explore how we can support your institution. To schedule a consultation, you can call our Hamilton office at 905-528-8411 or email info@simsponwigle.com.