FIU hosts series on education advocacy for children with special needs

WHAT: The Education Advocacy Clinic at Florida International University’s College of Law is hosting the “Summer Education Advocacy Series.” The series is tailored for the busy parent, or family law attorney, seeking to gain practical knowledge for advocating on behalf of a child with special education needs. The first session of the series will take place on July 7^th and will focus on discipline and manifestation determinations.  The second session on July 14^th will explain due process, mediation and resolution and the third session on July 21^st will touch upon suspension, expulsion and alternative education.

WHO: Visiting Assistant Clinical Law Professor Laverne Pinkney will speak at the event. Pinkney is a visiting professor at FIU’s College of Law within the Clinical Program’s Education Advocacy Clinic.  Pinkney earned her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University in 1988. She has served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Children and Families in Broward County, Florida and as a senior attorney for Legal Services of Greater Miami.  In addition to her current position as Clinical Professor, Pinkney is a private practitioner where her primary focus is in family law.   She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and County Mediator and has also served as a special master and traffic court hearing officer.

WHEN AND WHERE: July 7, 14, and 21, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Florida International University’s College of Law, Rafael Diaz Balart Hall, Room 1009, located at 11200 SW 8^th St., Miami.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Professor Pinkney or Michelle Gonzalez at 305-348-7541. Space is limited to 30 participants per session.  In order to register for one, or all three sessions, please request a registration form by either calling the number above or by sending an e-mail to lawrsvp@fiu.edu and submitting the completed registration form by July 1, 2010.

Media Contact: Lissette Lanza at 305-348-2232.