Mickes O’Toole is proud to announce that we have strengthened our Education Group with the addition of Bo and Jim Thomeczek, both well-known experts in the field of special education law.
For decades, the firm of Thomeczek & Brink has been synonymous with top quality advice and counsel on special education throughout the state. By joining practices, Mickes O’Toole now represents 4 of the 6 largest school districts in Missouri and offers our education clients unparalleled experience and expertise.
Our Special Education Group boasts an impressively deep and skilled bench of attorneys, with more than a hundred years of collective experience providing special education advice. Bo Thomeczek and Jim Thomeczek represent the Special School District of St. Louis County, the largest LEA and specialized education provider in the state of Missouri. Both are known among educators as authorities on special education law, with Jim having been regularly recognized over the last decade as a Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer in Education. Josh Douglass was the former Chief Attorney with the Office of Civil Rights, responsible for overseeing civil rights and special education compliance in seven states, and previously sat as a hearing officer in due process hearings. Katie Forster has spent the majority of her career providing advice and counsel to education clients, including a focus on helping districts resolve disputes with parents and advocates in the area of special education. Shawn McLain advises school districts on all aspects of special education matters, including day-to-day compliance with IDEA and Section 504 as well as handling administrative complaints and due process hearings. Abbey Widick is a regular presenter across the state on special education matters, using her experience working with districts to provide targeted trainings on how to navigate the complexities of state and federal law.
With special education growing as an area of focus and liability for school districts, our team is well positioned to address and resolve the difficult issues educators face daily. We are exceptional in helping school districts navigate these complicated and often emotional situations, and doing so in a manner that is positive and reasonable for all involved parties. Mickes O’Toole provides a group of attorneys comprised of experienced “in-house” general counsel, special education compliance experts, and seasoned litigators who will work alongside school administrators during short-term crisis management and long-term strategic improvement and reform.
