Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, the nation's first and only law firm with offices in all 50 states, welcomes Laura Knittle as a Partner in the firm's Chicago office and as Co-Chair of the firm’s newly-formed Education Law practice group. She also joins the Employment Law and Government Regulatory & Administrative Law practice groups.
Ms. Knittle represents K-12 school districts in all areas of education law. A majority of her practice is dedicated to counseling boards of education and their administrations on student matters, including issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, alleged violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, student discipline, student and employee investigations, Office for Civil Rights investigations, and confidentiality and student records. She regularly represents school districts at mediation and in due process hearings. A former teacher, Ms. Knittle leverages her background as an educator in every situation to help provide clients with simple, tailored solutions to meet their needs.
“We are excited to welcome Laura to our team and growing education law practice group," said Brian Roth, Co-Managing Partner of the firm's Chicago office. "Her extensive experience in this area aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional legal representation and support to educational institutions.”
Ms. Knittle’s experience further includes defending school districts in complaints before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. She has also counseled school districts on issues involving the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and data privacy.
She was recognized on the Rising Stars list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine from 2021-2023. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association's ("CBA") Young Lawyers Section and is the former chair of the CBA's Education Law Committee. She is a member of the Ambassadors Board for Legal Aid Chicago. Ms. Knittle also acts as an auxiliary board member for Teach for America.
Ms. Knittle is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She earned her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia.
The Employment Law Group provides employment counseling and litigation services to world-renowned universities, medical centers, and nearly every type of business, from Fortune 500 corporations to startups and nonprofits. Our attorneys complement litigation expertise with preventive training, offering guidance in programs and techniques designed to avoid the consequence and cost of further involvement with conflict and dispute management.
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