What can I solve for you?

Clients benefit from my years of experience working inside school districts as in-house counsel, which means I know what it’s like to be a law firm client. This perspective, combined with my private practice experience and legal acumen, enhances my ability to counsel clients on the full spectrum of issues in special education and student services—from helping them comply with the many regulations in this area to handling disputes and virtually everything in between.

What's it like to work with me?

I consider my clients colleagues and collaborate with them on a regular basis to address a wide range of issues. By cultivating close relationships with them, I’m able to gain a full understanding of the dynamics of their operations and get involved in the inner workings of their organization. Together, we work to improve their services and systems, which will ultimately help create the best possible learning environments.

Top Issues in My Practice

“As a product of public schools, I believe that my work with the firm in supporting public educators and the institutions which they serve is a small way for me to give back.”

Overview

Highly regarded for her in-depth knowledge, strategic thinking and strong communication skills, Lee G. Rideout counsels school districts, county offices of education and special education local plan areas on navigating both their day-to-day legal issues and long-term, big-picture concerns. Lee represents clients in mediations, due process hearings, as well as discrimination and other claims. She also conducts personnel investigations, provides guidance regarding IEP team meetings, and advises on an array of compliance matters, including those that involve student discipline, appropriate delivery of services to students, employment and others.

Lee brings an ability to distill complex legal issues into clear and concise language, which clients appreciate. When they ask questions about difficult, sometimes arcane, areas of the law, Lee can usually rely on her many years of legal service and provide immediate, on-the-spot answers.

Earlier in her career, Lee served as assistant general counsel with the Atlanta Public Schools for four years, where she focused on special education and student matters. Additionally, she worked as an attorney advisor to the District of Columbia Public Schools for more than four years. During her tenure there, she provided legal services on a variety of special education and related matters. She also managed various special education class action lawsuits and represented the district in due process hearings as well as proceedings before the District of Columbia Contracts Appeals Board.

Because of this experience and others, Lee deeply respects diligent and dedicated work that special education professionals perform. Working in school districts also gave her an insider’s knowledge about the challenges they encounter, not the least of which are busy schedules and budgetary pressures. While she prides herself on her availability and responsiveness to clients’ needs, it’s important to her to foster self-reliance in her clients so they don’t always have to call her for help. But when they do need her help, Lee does all she can to address their concerns and offer support.

After School

I’m a tennis enthusiast and have been since I played competitively when I was growing up and in college. I also enjoy theater and listening to audio books and reading in an array of genres—for example, the nonfiction works of Dahlia Lithwick, the humor of David Sedaris, mystery and fantasy, among others.

Education

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D.)
  • Georgetown University (B.S., Foreign Service)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Maryland

Related Services

Related Clients