Nuttall MacAvoy & Joyce

Nuttall, MacAvoy, & Joyce, P.C. offers our clients legal representation, consultation and technical assistance in all matters related to student discipline. Our attorneys have represented school districts in discipline related matters for our eighty years. Since our practice is exclusively dedicated to school law, our firm is sensitive to the evolv... ing legal and due process obligations required by state and federal law. Because many disciplinary matters also present issues related to special education and Section 504, our experience and special education specialization situates us to advise our clients to address the complex issues presented in special education disciplinary matters. Our specialized experience in disciplinary matters includes: Expulsion hearings Suspension hearings Discipline of students under Section 504 and the IDEA Disciplinary Hearings Sexual and Civil Rights Harassment Charges of criminal activity including drug and alcohol possession and possession of weapons Issues related to searches of students, lockers or personal items Cyberbullying Discipline of off-campus conduct Massachusetts law gives schools the authority to discipline students, but also affords students the right to procedural due process. Our attorneys provide hands-on guidance in order to assist our clients in implementing these procedures, including assistance with the development of policies and training for staff to ensure effective, procedurally sound and impartial disciplinary procedures which ensure that disciplinary decisions will not be overturned on appeal.Read More