When to Involve an Educational Advocate vs. an Attorney
Understanding the Role of Advocacy in Special Education
At Levy Educational Advocacy (LEA), we’re proud to say that over 80% of our cases are resolved without attorney involvement. That speaks volumes about the depth of knowledge, training, and experience our team brings to the table.
We are master-level special educators, principals, curriculum coordinators, directors of special education, non-practicing educational attorneys, dyslexia experts, Orton-Gillingham practitioners, MTSS leaders, and, most importantly, parents. We've sat in the same meetings you're facing, and we bring both empathy and expertise to every case.
Advocates First: Why It Matters
One of the biggest questions parents ask is, "Do I need an attorney?" The truth? Most of the time, you don’t—at least not right away.
At LEA, our role is to bridge the gap between families and schools, ensuring that your child’s needs are understood, supported, and documented through a data-driven, student-centered lens.
We help when:
You’re overwhelmed navigating the IEP/504 process.
You need support preparing for meetings or reviewing evaluations.
You're seeking more appropriate services, placement, or interventions.
You want someone who understands the acronyms, the interventions, and the behind-the-scenes decision-making in schools.
And we do all of that at a more accessible rate—our retainers and hourly rates run between $200 and $250 per hour, compared to educational attorneys who typically charge upward of $450 per hour.
What Attorneys Often Miss
While attorneys are invaluable in high-conflict situations or due process cases, many haven't experienced the day-to-day realities of school teams. They often aren’t immersed in:
The rhythm of MTSS
Intervention implementation
Data-based decision making
Special education eligibility criteria
The cultural and emotional dynamics of school meetings
That's where LEA shines. We’ve been in those rooms, on both sides of the table. We understand how schools operate, and we know how to work with them—not just against them.
When Legal Help Is Needed
We’re honest and transparent. During our comprehensive onboarding process, if we identify signs that your situation requires legal involvement, we'll notify you immediately. We’ll connect you with vetted professionals we trust, many of whom have successfully partnered with our families in the past.
Even then, we often remain on your team—passing along the groundwork we've done to help streamline your legal journey and keep costs and stress levels down.
Compassion + Confidence = Connection
We know money matters. We also know that emotions run high when your child’s future is on the line. At LEA, we bring both compassion and confidence into every conversation. We’re not just advocates—we’re collaborators. We make sure every voice is heard, including yours.
Because let’s be honest: whether you bring in an advocate or an attorney, school teams often become defensive. Our job is to lower the temperature in the room, foster trust, and keep the focus where it belongs—on your child.
At LEA, we believe that expert knowledge and collaboration lead to meaningful change.
We’re here to walk beside you, every step of the way.