Please be aware that effective March 1, 2021, the Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) “Your Guide to Special Education Mediation” has been updated related to attorney participation in Mediation:
The Parents: May invite other participants (such as an advocate, an attorney, consultant, doctor, or psychologist) to the session to help with the mediation process. The parents assume responsibility for any fees assessed by professional guests. If a parent chooses to bring an attorney with them to mediation, the school may also bring an attorney. If the parent chooses to participate in mediation without an attorney, the school is not permitted to bring an attorney.
Previously, attorneys for parents and schools were not invited to be participants in ODR Mediation.
