Christina Henagen Peer

Christina focuses her practice on the representation of public school districts. She counsels boards of education on numerous student-related matters including student discipline, student privacy, First Amendment issues and residency/custody disputes. Christina’s practice includes the specialized area of special education law. She advises boards of education extensively regarding state and federal laws relating to the education of students with disabilities. Her representation in this area includes attendance at special education meetings, assisting districts with child find and evaluation issues, providing counsel regarding programming for students with disabilities, and reviewing draft documents for legal compliance. In the event a complaint is filed, Christina represents school districts before the Ohio Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Christina also represents school districts in due process proceedings under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act from initial administrative hearings through litigation in federal court. Additionally, Christina routinely provides training for teachers and administrators on special education issues.

Christina also provides counsel to boards of education regarding general school law matters such as board governance, public records requests including Sunshine Laws, records retention policies, social media issues, open enrollment and the drafting and implementation of board policies. Additionally, Christina assists school districts with labor and employment matters including employee evaluation and discipline issues, including grievance arbitration. Christina represents school districts in employment discrimination matters including claims brought under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other claims arising from terminations. Along with representing districts in federal and state courts, Christina defends employers against complaints of discrimination filed with the EEOC and OCRC.

Christina is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio School Boards Association. She chaired the Executive Committee of the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys in 2014 and served on the Executive Committee for eight years. In addition, Christina was an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where she taught a course on disability laws.