Events News Spotlight

Events News Spotlight

Daniel Heffernan to chair and present Fundamental Examination and Review of Education Law at MCLE New England Live Webcast Tuesday, June 23, 2026 9:30am-4:00pm

June 22, 2026

School law is intricate, multifaceted, and comprises a broad spectrum of understanding to practice it effectively. This signature MCLE BasicPlus! seminar provides a wide-ranging, yet detailed overview of school law and its related topics, so you get the tools and information necessary for your practice.The expert faculty is comprised of attorneys from the full school law gamut, including a veteran lawyer from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and lawyers who represent children, public schools, private schools, and school districts. They teach you about important statutes and cases at both the federal and state level, explore privacy and confidentiality problems with student records, and give you an in-depth look at student conduct issues, bullying, and discrimination.
Agenda
  • Overview of Key Federal and Massachusetts Statutes and Cases
  • Ethical Issues That Arise When Representing Both Children and School
  • How to Understand Statutes and Policies Relating to Bullying and Harassment
  • Significant Principles of Special Education Law, Including Updates on Cases, Practicing Before the BSEA, and Essential Legal Practice Tips
  • How to Locate and Comprehend Provisions Regarding the Privacy and Confidentiality of Student Records
  • Procedures Required in School Discipline Cases, Including Special Education Legal Requirements
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements for Educating Students with Disabilities
  • Key Topics Specific to Independent/Private Schools in Massachusetts
  • Issues Pertaining to COVID-19 and Its Implications in School Law
 

Lori A. Jodoin will be co-chairing and presenting at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s Independent Contractor Law Program on April 15, 2026

April 01, 2026

Lori A. Jodoin will be chairing and speaking at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s Program on Understanding Pretext in Discrimination Claims on March 20, 2026

March 15, 2026

KCS Attorneys Secure $1 Million Settlement in Civil Rights Case Involving Sexual Abuse of Young Woman with Disabilities

February 26, 2026

KCS attorneys Daniel Heffernan, Joseph Koltun, and Eliza Presson secured a $1 million settlement on behalf of a young woman with intellectual and developmental disabilities who was sexually abused while residing in a 24/7 residential program. The settlement resolved claims arising from the program’s failure to protect a highly vulnerable resident and to enforce policies designed to ensure resident safety.

At the time of the incident, the plaintiff was a twenty-two-year-old young woman requiring close supervision and support. The claims included allegations that a teacher at the program engaged in grooming behavior toward the plaintiff. On a holiday afternoon when staffing levels were reduced, the teacher transported the plaintiff off campus in violation of program policies prohibiting staff from being alone with residents and requiring approved program transportation.

After returning to campus, the plaintiff immediately disclosed the incident, and her family contacted law enforcement. A police investigation followed, and the teacher was ultimately arrested. During the investigation, other staff disclosed that they had previously raised concerns about the teacher’s interactions with the plaintiff.

The plaintiff experienced significant emotional impacts following the abuse and, with the support of her family, was able to share her experience and pursue accountability through the legal process. The matter resolved at a pre-suit mediation for $1 million.

KCS remains committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities, promoting safer educational and residential environments, and ensuring vulnerable individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

January 16, 2026

Eileen Hagerty and Eliza Presson will be presenting at the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) 28th Annual Conference, to be held March 5-8, 2026 in Crystal City, VA. Their presentation is entitled “More Than a Feeling: Emotional Disabilities and FAPE in the Federal Courts.”

January 16, 2026

Eileen Hagerty will be co-chairing and presenting at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s 26th Annual School Law Conference on March 18, 2026.

Kotin, Crabtree & Strong Attorneys Honored by Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List

December 09, 2025

Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is pleased to announce that attorneys Eileen M. Hagerty (Special Education & Disability Rights, Litigation) and Daniel T.S. Heffernan (Special Education & Disability Rights, Civil Rights, Personal Injury, Litigation) have been named Top Lawyers of 2025 by Boston Magazine in the area of Education Law. The Top Lawyers list is peer-voted and recognizes more than 1,100 industry professionals.

October 24, 2025

Anne L. Josephson has been ranked in 2026 as a Chambers USA Band 1 Attorney and Sharen Litwin has been ranked in 2026 as a Chambers USA Band 2 Attorney, both in Labor and Employment-Mainly Plaintiffs Representation – Massachusetts. Kotin, Crabtree & Strong has also been ranked in 2026 as a Chambers USA Band 2 Department for Labor and Employment-Mainly Plaintiffs Representation. Congratulations, Anne and Sharen!

October 24, 2025

Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is pleased to announce that eight attorneys were listed in the 2025 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers® magazine, with six included on the Super Lawyers® list and two on the Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers form more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process included independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Those who attained this status from Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP for 2025 include:

September 08, 2025

Kotin, Crabtree & Strong is very pleased to announce (please see News item) that attorneys Hagerty, Josephson, Litwin, and Jodoin have been included in the 32ⁿᵈ edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Congratulations!

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