Anatomy of a Lawsuit

Book excerpt: Arm yourself with the facts educators need to respond effectively when litigation is imminent! While jury trials are popularly construed as criminal matters, it is civil litigation that increasingly involves the participation of school educators. In recent instances, education leaders have been parties to, or participants in, legal cases ranging from employee discrimination to alleged criminal negligence. In response to this trend, legal experts and frequent consultants to attorneys Robert Shoop, a network news program regular on legal topics, and Dennis Dunklee, a 2005 participant in the Oxford University Roundtable on Education Law, have authored this indispensable text to arm educators with the essential information they need to understand and prepare for potential litigation. Five sections cover the legal basics necessary to: Understand the court and jury system Support and work effectively with attorneys Appreciate the nuances of litigation Reduce the potential risk of litigation by understanding and practicing preventive law Assist in the legal process by serving as an expert witness With this essential resource, educational leaders can learn how to prepare effectively, respond appropriately, and help achieve positive outcomes when faced with litigation.