Legal Services

Schools are continually faced with legal challenges. Given the complex nature of both state and federal laws applicable to school districts, on a day-to-day basis school boards throughout the state need to have direct access to attorneys whose specialty is education law. MTSBA’s attorneys are highly knowledgeable and experienced in open meeting requirements, federal and state employment laws, No Child Left Behind, student records and discipline, contract matters, internal grievances, unfair labor practices, and a broad range of other areas. Collectively our attorneys have over 30 years of experience.

Dues-Based Services

	Direct telephone and email access to MTSBA legal staff through the Legal Hotline
	Access to an attorney during the time when most school boards hold their regular monthly meetings
	Review of routine forms/correspondence
	Access to standard forms/correspondence

Fee-Based Services

As a member of MTSBA, many of the fee-based services are provided at a reduced rate when compared to the prevailing rate for private sector attorneys experienced in school law. This is one of the advantages and benefits of being a member.

MTSBA attorneys have extensive experience in representing districts in all forums, including but not limited to administrative hearings (including the Human Rights Bureau, Department of Labor, County Superintendent, State Superintendent of Public Instruction), District Court, Montana Supreme Court, and Federal District Court.

MTSBA legal staff regularly represent a number of Montana school districts on a fee basis on a variety of issues, including but not limited to:

	Student disciplinary matters
	Employee disciplinary issues
	Contract disputes
	Reviewing and drafting employment contracts, and
	Other school-related contracts