Somogye, Tammy M.

Ms. Somogye represents educational institutions, municipalities, businesses, and individuals in the areas of employment and education law. In addition to prosecuting and defending litigation on behalf of her clients, Ms. Somogye reviews contracts and develops educational and employment policies for Kansas school districts and community colleges and advises them on day-to-day legal issues, such as student discipline, teacher tenure, overtime compensation, open records, open meetings, student records, and more. She also develops employment policies for Kansas municipalities and various businesses and advises them regarding various employment issues that arise, such as background checks, employee discipline and terminations, unemployment compensation appeals, worker’s compensation claims, etc.

Ms. Somogye is a recognized expert in the area of special education law. She represents Kansas school districts in special education matters involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (commonly known as the IDEA), which was reauthorized in 2004, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (commonly known as Section 504), the Americans With Disabilities Act (commonly known as the ADA or ADAAA), the Kansas Special Education for Exceptional Children Act, and other related laws. She also assists Kansas school districts in investigations of disability-related complaints filed with the Office of Civil Rights by students and employees. This area of emphasis allows Ms. Somogye to be a unique asset to her clients, who are facing increasing demands for special education services and disability-related accommodations designed to allow students equal access to the general education curriculum.

Significant verdicts, decisions and appellate opinions include:

• BS v. Shawnee Mission School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2010) (finding in favor of school district on special education student's claim for tuition reimbursement)
• EW v. Shawnee Mission School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2009) (finding in favor of school district on special education student's claim for tuition reimbursement)
• M.S. v. Shawnee Mission Unified School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2008) (finding in favor of school district on plaintiff's claim of failure to provide appropriate 504 plan)
• Alford v. Unified School District (OCR 2008) (finding that evidence did not support school psychologist's claim of wrongful termination)
• C.M. v. Shawnee Mission School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2008) (finding in favor of school district on special education student's claim for tuition reimbursement)
• R.N. v. Shawnee Mission School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2008) (finding in favor of school district on special education student's claim for independent education evaluation)
• R.N. v. Shawnee Mission School District (Johnson County District Court 2008) (obtained dismissal of plaintiffs' special education claims based on failure to exhaust administrative remedies)
• C.O. v. Shawnee Mission School District (KS Admin. Hearing 2007) (finding in favor of school district on its request for placing special education student in more restrictive setting)
• Ryan v. Shawnee Mission Unified School District (U.S.D.C. KS 2006) (defense verdict on plaintiff's claim of retaliation and constructive discharge)
• Kester v. Shawnee Mission School District (U.S.D.C. KS 2005) (summary judgment in favor of school district on Equal Pay Act, ADA, FMLA, discrimination and wrongful termination claims)