Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

What types of institutions do you work with?

Accepted Answer

ECR Solutions works with K–12 schools and districts, colleges and universities, and other organizations that serve students and young people. Clients include public and private institutions of varying sizes, each with its own legal obligations, organizational structures, and practical challenges.

Question 2

Do you represent students, employees, or parents directly in disputes with their schools?

Accepted Answer

No. My legal practice focuses on representing educational institutions and organizations rather than individuals bringing claims against them. However, I may be engaged by attorneys representing individuals to provide consulting or expert witness services.

Question 3

Do you work outside Texas?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Although ECR Solutions is based in Texas, I work with educational institutions, youth-serving organizations, and attorneys throughout the United States. My nationwide work includes civil rights consulting, training, investigations, serving as an external decision-maker or hearing officer, policy and procedure reviews, and expert witness services. Many services can be provided remotely, and in-person engagements are available as well.

I am licensed to practice law in Texas, Idaho, and Illinois. I also provide legal advice and work collaboratively with attorneys in other states when permitted by applicable law and professional conduct rules. The nature and scope of each engagement depend on the services requested and the legal requirements of the jurisdiction involved.

Question 4

What is the difference between your roles as an attorney, a consultant, a trainer, an external "team member" (such as investigator, decision-maker or hearing officer), and an expert witness?

Accepted Answer

The role depends on what a client needs and the nature of the engagement. As an attorney, I provide legal advice and analysis to educational institutions and organizations, either directly or in collaboration with their existing legal counsel. As a consultant, I help organizations navigate complex civil rights issues, evaluate their practices, and develop practical approaches to compliance and problem-solving. As a trainer, I help educational professionals understand their legal obligations and apply them to the situations they encounter in their work. As an external team member, I step into a specific role within an institution's civil rights processes, such as investigator, decision-maker, hearing officer, or appeal officer, bringing specialized experience and an independent perspective. As an expert witness, I provide opinions and testimony based on my specialized knowledge and experience in educational civil rights matters. These roles draw on overlapping expertise but involve different responsibilities, professional obligations, and relationships with the institutions or attorneys who engage me. The scope and nature of my role are established at the outset of each engagement.

Question 5

What training formats do you offer, and can training be tailored to our institution?

Accepted Answer

I offer in-person and virtual training, including live presentations, interactive workshops, and other formats designed to meet an organization's needs. Training can range from introductory overviews to advanced sessions for experienced civil rights professionals. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor training to the audience, the institution's policies and procedures, and the real-world challenges participants face. My goal is not simply to explain what the law says, but to help participants understand how to apply it thoughtfully and effectively.

Question 6

Do you serve as an expert witness for plaintiffs, defendants, or both?

Accepted Answer

Both. I accept expert witness engagements from attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants. My opinions are grounded in the facts, applicable legal and professional standards, and my experience—not which side has retained me.

Question 7

Do you work with other attorneys on their matters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I regularly collaborate with attorneys who need specialized education civil rights expertise. I can provide legal advice and analysis, assist with complex legal and procedural questions, help develop strategies, review policies and practices, or serve as a consulting or testifying expert. My involvement can range from targeted assistance on a particular question to ongoing collaboration on a complex matter. I work to complement the services of existing counsel while bringing specialized knowledge and practical experience to the issues at hand.

Question 8

Can you review or audit our civil rights policies and procedures and help us update them?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I review and assess institutional policies, procedures, and practices relating to Title IX, Title VI, Section 504, the ADA, and other education civil rights requirements. A review can focus on a particular policy or process, or it can involve a broader assessment of an institution's civil rights compliance framework. I can identify potential legal and practical concerns, recommend improvements, and help develop or revise policies and procedures that are legally sound, workable, and appropriate for the institution. My approach goes beyond asking whether a policy technically satisfies legal requirements. I also consider whether it is clear, internally consistent, fair, and realistic for the people responsible for implementing it.

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