At the Lento Law Firm, we stand beside Mississippi families, helping you through the often overwhelming and complicated field of education law. Whether your child attends a K-12 school in one of the state's largest suburban school districts, like Madison County Schools or Rankin County School District, or they're enrolled at the University of Mississippi or Mississippi State University, our firm is here to protect your rights and your child's future.
Education law encompasses a wide range of legal matters — from disability accommodations to free speech, from bullying to expulsion — and no two cases are ever exactly alike. But what they all share is the importance of legal guidance and strong advocacy. Our team is deeply familiar with the rules, procedures, and policies specific to Mississippi school districts and public universities, and we bring that knowledge to every case we handle. If you or your child is having any issues that fall under education law in Mississippi, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is here to help. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or complete the form online to discuss your case.
Special Education & Disability Rights in Mississippi Schools
Parents of students with disabilities in Mississippi often face the dual burden of advocating for their child's needs while navigating a school system that is not always responsive or compliant. At the Lento Law Firm, we help level the playing field.
Understanding Your Rights: IDEA, Section 504, and ADA
Mississippi schools have a legal obligation to comply with key federal laws designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities. These include the Individuals with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Each of these laws plays a crucial role in ensuring that children with disabilities are not excluded from the educational opportunities available to their peers.
Under IDEA, eligible students must be provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), tailored to their individual needs through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This includes access to specialized instruction, services, and supports designed to help them succeed academically and socially. Section 504 and the ADA also mandate that schools take proactive steps to eliminate barriers to learning, whether through physical accommodations, curriculum modifications, or other forms of support, so that students with disabilities can fully participate in school programs and activities.
Importantly, these laws emphasize that students should be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), meaning that, to the greatest extent appropriate, students with disabilities should learn alongside their nondisabled peers. This principle is designed to promote inclusion, reduce stigma, and ensure that all students have equal access to the benefits of public education.
When schools fail to uphold these federal requirements, families have the right to take legal action to protect their children's educational rights. At the Lento Law Firm, we can help you as a parent and your family understand these laws and ensure that your children receive the services and accommodations they are entitled to under federal and state law.
But What Does That Look Like in Practice?
In a district like DeSoto County Schools — one of the largest and most well-resourced in the state — we've seen both exemplary special education programs and compliance failures. Whether it's a school refusing to evaluate a student for services, failing to implement an IEP, or excluding a child from general education settings unnecessarily, we are ready to step in and assert your rights.
We also understand the nuances of dealing with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), particularly in cases involving state-level complaints or due process hearings.
Our Role: Advocacy, Oversight, and Legal Action
We can help you and your family with:
- Request and secure timely evaluations;
- Review and challenge inadequate IEP or 504 Plans;
- Enforce accommodations under Section 504 and ADA;
- Represent families in mediation or due process hearings;
- Take legal action when necessary.
IEPs and 504 Plans: The Foundation of Your Child's Support
For students with diagnosed disabilities, the IEP or 504 Plan is the cornerstone of educational support. Yet far too often in Mississippi, these documents can be treated and seen as check-the-box exercises, rather than living, enforceable agreements that define the support a child must receive.
What Should Be in Your Child's IEP or 504 Plan?
- An effective IEP should contain:
- Specific, measurable annual goals;
- Detailed accommodations and modifications;
- Clear descriptions of related services (speech therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy);
- Placement decisions based on student needs, not convenience;
- Data-driven progress monitoring.
A 504 Plan, while less detailed, must still provide accommodations that allow the student to participate equally in school life, whether through extended test time, preferential seating, or access to mental health support.
In Mississippi, we often see schools failing to implement these plans properly or at all. At the Lento Law Firm, we don't just review paperwork — we investigate how your child's day-to-day experience matches the promises on paper.
College Accommodations: A Different but Crucial Arena
When a student transitions to college — say, from Brandon High School to the University of Southern Mississippi — the legal framework changes. IDEA no longer applies, and students must advocate for themselves under Section 504 and the ADA. Universities must provide "reasonable accommodations," but they often deny requests unless the student has clear documentation and knows how to assert their rights.
We can assist college students with the following:
- Securing academic accommodations;
- Challenging denials of disability support;
- Addressing failures to provide accessible housing or facilities;
- Navigating disciplinary proceedings triggered by disability-related behavior.
School Discipline and Expulsions: Standing Up Against Unfair Punishment
Disciplinary cases in Mississippi schools can move swiftly — and often without due process. If your child is facing suspension, expulsion, or alternative school placement, it is critical to act quickly and assert your rights.
K-12 Disciplinary Hearings in Mississippi
In school districts like Oxford or Tupelo, students may face suspension for alleged infractions ranging from vaping on campus to verbal altercations. State law requires schools to provide due process before long-term suspension or expulsion, but schools may often shortcut those protections.
If you or your family are facing any difficulties, we can help by offering representation in disciplinary hearings; we can help challenge any procedural violation that may occur (e.g., failure to notify parents or offer a hearing). Additionally, we can help negotiate alternative outcomes, preserving academic progress among others.
We also defend against the overuse of “alternative education programs,” where students are removed from the general population without sufficient justification.
College Discipline: A Legal and Academic Crossroads
At institutions like Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), like many others, student conduct codes are comprehensive documents that govern a wide range of behaviors, both inside and outside the classroom. These codes address issues such as academic dishonesty (including plagiarism and cheating), alcohol or drug use, hazing, harassment, and violations of federal mandates like Title IX, which deals with sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination.
A finding of responsibility in any of these areas can result in serious disciplinary action, including probation, suspension, or permanent dismissal from the university. Beyond academic penalties, such a finding can also have long-lasting effects on a student's personal reputation, future educational opportunities, and career prospects. In more serious cases, such as those involving allegations of sexual misconduct or violence, the matter may be referred to law enforcement, resulting in a parallel criminal investigation or prosecution.
At the Lento Law Firm, we understand the unique intersection of university disciplinary proceedings and the criminal justice system. Our team is particularly oriented toward defending students in high-stakes, high-stress situations, where both their education and freedom may be on the line. We can provide strategic and compassionate representation in:
- Academic integrity hearings – We help students accused of cheating or plagiarism present their side of the story clearly and effectively, ensuring due process is followed and their rights are protected.
- Student conduct board proceedings – Whether the issue involves interpersonal conflict, code of conduct violations, or misconduct allegations, we guide students through university hearings and investigations, advocating for fair treatment at every stage.
- Appeals of suspensions or dismissals – A negative outcome does not have to be the end. We assist students in crafting persuasive appeals, challenging improper procedures, unsupported findings, or disproportionate penalties.
- Dual-track investigations involving both the university and law enforcement – When a student is facing both a campus disciplinary process and a criminal investigation or prosecution, it is critical to have legal counsel that understands how these two systems interact. Our firm's strength lies in managing these complex cases strategically to protect the student's academic standing and constitutional rights simultaneously.
When your education, reputation, and future are at risk, having knowledgeable counsel makes all the difference. Our firm provides students and their families with clear guidance, strong advocacy, and a dedicated commitment to defending their rights in and out of the classroom.
Bullying, Harassment, and Title IX in Mississippi Schools
Mississippi law (Miss. Code § 37-11-67) requires school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies, but enforcement is inconsistent, and parents are often left in the dark.
In suburban schools such as those in Madison County or Petal School District, bullying cases often go unreported or unresolved, particularly when the target is a student with disabilities, a student of color, or an LGBTQ+ youth.
We assist families in:
- Reporting and documenting bullying;
- Holding schools accountable for failing to act;
- Pursuing Title IX complaints in cases of sexual harassment;
- Filing OCR complaints or civil lawsuits when necessary.
Title IX in Mississippi Colleges
Title IX protects students at universities like Ole Miss or Delta State from sex-based harassment and assault. Unfortunately, these cases are often mishandled — either rushed to judgment or buried to avoid scandal.
The Lento Law Firm represents both complainants and respondents in Title IX investigations and hearings. Our experience allows us to:
- Ensure fair procedures and equal access to evidence;
- Challenge bias or mishandling by Title IX coordinators;
- Appeal unjust findings or sanctions.
Fighting Discrimination in Schools
Despite state and federal laws, discrimination based on race, gender, or disability still occurs across Mississippi's schools and universities.
Examples of Discrimination We Handle:
- A Black student receiving harsher discipline than white peers for the same conduct;
- A female student excluded from a STEM program due to gender bias;
- A student with ADHD disciplined for behavior tied to their condition;
- LGBTQ+ students being denied access to facilities or activities.
We use federal laws such as Title VI (race/national origin), Title IX (sex/gender), and Section 504/ADA (disability) to fight back.
We also understand the nuances of Mississippi's school governance — from local boards of education to the MDE — and use that knowledge to seek swift and impactful remedies.
Student Rights and Free Speech in Mississippi
In today's political climate, students are increasingly penalized for expressing their beliefs, organizing protests, or even dressing differently. But students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate — even in Mississippi.
Free Speech Cases We Handle:
- Punishment for participating in political demonstrations;
- Overly broad dress code enforcement targeting gender expression;
- Viewpoint discrimination in student newspapers or clubs;
- Censorship of speech on social media.
We can help and offer representation to students being disciplined for peaceful protests at large high schools and for controversial speech on campus at Mississippi universities. Whether the issue is the First Amendment, freedom of religion, or equal access, the Lento Law Firm will fight for your right to be heard.
Why Choose the Lento Law Firm as Your Mississippi Education Lawyers?
What sets us apart is not just our experience — it's our focus. At the Lento Law Firm, education law is not a side offering. It's at the core of what we do.
Our firm combines:
- K-12 and Higher Education Knowledge – From IEP meetings in Gulfport to conduct hearings at Mississippi State, we cover the full range of education law matters.
- Procedural Knowledge – We know Mississippi's education codes, timelines, and administrative pathways — and how to use them to your advantage.
- Relentless Advocacy – Whether we're negotiating behind the scenes or taking your case to court, our priority is your child's well-being and educational future.
Empower Your Family with the Right Legal Support
Mississippi families deserve more than just reactive legal help. They deserve proactive, strategic advocacy tailored to their child's unique needs.
If your student is facing challenges in the classroom, the principal's office, or the dean's office, the Lento Law Firm is here to help. From special education to suspensions, from discrimination to speech rights, we are your partner in navigating Mississippi's education system.
Contact the Lento Law Firm today for a confidential consultation. Let's protect your student's future — together. Call 888-535-3686 or complete the form online to discuss your case.
