The Examiner has provided some compelling coverage of the District's dysfunctional special education system which has enriched several D.C. law firms. Since 2001, the District has paid more than $15 million to James E. Brown & Associates for representing parents who sue the city schools over alleged shortcomings in the system. The firm, which defended its billing, received the largest sum of more than $52 million paid by the District to private lawyers in special education cases since 2001, The Examiner reported.
James E. Brown was disbarred in 1981 for disciplinary violations related to the alleged mishandling of funds in three probate matters, according to the D.C. Bar.. He was reinstated in 1994 but then received an informal admonition in 2002 for more disciplinary violations stemming from a special education case.
But the legal fee gravy train may be pulling into the station. Yesterday, some D.C. Council members criticized the legal bills, and public hearings may be held on the special education system, The Examiner reported.
“We’re wasting money, our children are being harmed and now we have lawyers who have gone on to exploit our incompetence,” said council member Mary Cheh, who also is a law professor at George Washington University Law School.
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