Protecting students’ rights in school
We specialize in legal guidance and litigation for families navigating special education and Section 504 matters in Virginia.
We specialize in legal guidance and litigation for families navigating special education and Section 504 matters in Virginia.
Families seek our support when they have concerns about their child’s learning, access, services, or school responses. Our goal is to help families understand their options and move forward with clarity.
We work with:
We focus solely on education and education disability rights because every student deserves access, support, and fair treatment in school.
Our work is shaped by firsthand experience and years of representing families through IEP, 504, and discipline processes. We provide steady advocacy, clear communication, and a practical path forward for each family we support.
We support families through the full IEP process—including evaluations, eligibility, FAPE concerns, behavior plans, placement disputes, services, and due process litigation. Whether you’re preparing for a meeting, reviewing documents, or responding to school decisions, we help you understand your rights and advocate for appropriate services.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Child Find and eligibility issues
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
Restraint and seclusion concerns
Medical-related services
We assist with eligibility, accommodations, plan development, and responses to disability discrimination, denial of services, or inadequate school implementation. Our guidance helps families ensure students receive the access and support they need to learn.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Eligibility and denial concerns
Accommodations and services under a 504 Plan
When school discipline involves
disability
Disability discrimination
Bullying and disability-related harassment
Dispute support and hearing guidance
We represent students facing suspensions, MDRs, administrative hearings, and disciplinary appeals. Students with disabilities have specific protections in these situations, and we help families understand what applies and how to respond.
Short-term and long-term suspensions
Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDR)
Administrative and school board hearings
Disciplinary appeals
As students with disabilities transition into adulthood, families may need to consider legal decision-making authority. This includes uncontested guardianships, as well as Medicaid Waivers, program and placement options, community and private supports.
Preparation
Prepare filings
I contacted Grace when I was notified that my child’s medically and educationally necessary residential treatment and schooling would no longer be covered by insurance… I retained Ms. Kim to help continue coverage and advocate for appropriate accommodations in my child’s IEP. Grace did not flinch. She went to work immediately, guiding me through the process and communicating with the school system and insurance company. Within weeks, we had made progress with both…By June, we had full funding from the school system for my child’s placement AND restored insurance coverage.
“Grace not only went to bat for my child, she did so with thoroughness, confidence, knowledge, effectiveness, and care.
Grace was a fierce advocate for our family and worked overtime to respond promptly with information and strategy to support our needs. Her wise council brought about a resolution that was more than we had hoped for and helped us get what we needed for our son
We were very fortunate to work with Grace. She was recommended to us by another attorney who was retiring. She helped us through a very stressful episode, providing expert advice and representation. She took into account our specific family situation and needs. We would definitely work with her again.
Grace represented us for FAPE placement / due process claims with Loudoun County Public Schools. We worked with her over a two-year span. She provided competent legal counsel and we recommend her services. I don't recommend going into due process proceedings without representation. Grace was reasonably priced and very responsive.
Grace Eunjung Kim is by far the most professional, articulate, and get-it-resolved attorney we have ever seen. Professional, organized, attentive, kind, and well versed in law, she should be charging 3 times the cost. We highly recommend her and look forward to hiring her again, should the need arise.
I would highly recommend Ms Kim. She is a very compassionate, caring and understanding person. I am truly appreciative of her help; without it J**** would have dropped out and obtained a GED. There was no pathway to a diploma. Ms. Kim obtained a pathway which I could have never done on my own.
IDEA provides special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP), while Section 504 provides accommodations that ensure access to learning. Both protect students with disabilities, but IDEA is more specialized and includes detailed procedural rights. IEPs provide specialized instruction; 504 Plans ensure access through accommodations. Students who do not qualify for an IEP may still qualify for a 504 Plan.
Yes. We help families prepare for meetings, review documents, and participate when appropriate. We support 504 meetings and IEP meetings.
You can request the school’s written explanation, review the evaluation data, and ask for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) if needed. Our firm can help you understand the basis for the decision and explore options, including additional evaluations or dispute resolution processes.
Yes. Many issues can be resolved through meetings, written requests, plan revisions, or mediation. We advise families on options and timing before taking formal legal steps.
