Notre Dame Law School has started a Special Education Law Clinic to help parents advocate for children with disabilities. This clinic supports families while giving law students valuable hands-on experience in special education law. It reflects Notre Dame’s dedication to service and justice, ensuring these children receive the respect they deserve.
Professor Christina Jones, a 2016 graduate of Notre Dame Law, leads the Clinic. She has a personal connection to disability advocacy. As a child, she organized a walk-a-thon to raise money for her cousin’s school, who has autism. This early experience opened her eyes to the importance of standing up for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Jones, an experienced attorney in this field, guides the Clinic in offering free legal help to families navigating the complexities of special education law.
Students in the Clinic assist families with various disabilities. They help from the start to the end of the special education process—advocating for service eligibility, addressing disputes regarding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and ensuring appropriate school accommodations. Veronica Webb, a 2023 Notre Dame Law graduate and licensed attorney, works as the Clinic’s legal fellow, collaborating with Jones and the students to better serve the community.
“We empower parents to advocate for their children,” Jones explains. “We provide support in meetings with school officials and help when filing complaints is necessary. Our goal is for families to receive the educational services their children deserve.”
One important aspect of the Clinic is its focus on practical learning. Law students perform legal research, prepare cases, and even represent families in meetings with school administrators. They gain essential experience in understanding the complex blend of law, education, and disability rights.
Third-year law student Tim Wieckowski shared how the Clinic has deepened his understanding of education law. “As a parent, I feel a strong desire to support children,” he said. “Working here has allowed me to use the skills I’ve learned to guide families through the challenges of special education law, making a real difference in their lives.”
The Clinic also pays special attention to military families, who face unique challenges due to frequent relocations. Jones’ background with the Marine Corps’ Exceptional Family Member Program positions the Clinic to assist these families effectively, providing vital support to this often-overlooked group.
“Disability rights and education advocacy are key to our mission at Notre Dame,” Jones said. “The Clinic gives students a chance to use their skills to make a genuine difference while learning about the issues affecting children with disabilities.”
In its first major case at the beginning of 2025, the Clinic obtained a positive ruling regarding the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation in Indiana. The Indiana Department of Education found that the school was unfairly delaying independent educational evaluations, which are essential for families needing second opinions on special education services. This ruling is expected to improve access to necessary evaluations for families across the district.
Jones hopes to broaden the Clinic’s outreach and collaborate further with Notre Dame initiatives focused on inclusive education. The goal is to ensure that children with disabilities are not just included in the educational system but also welcomed and supported by schools and communities.
There are only a few special education clinics at law schools nationwide. Notre Dame’s Clinic aims to lead the way in helping families, students, and schools work together while preparing future lawyers to advocate for justice and equity in education and beyond.
