The seminar is being held October 11-13, 2012 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

For more information visit the NSBA site here or the flyer.

Don’t Filter Me: Examining the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the New Era of First Amendment Claims

The sessions will be held:

• Columbia, MO – Holiday Inn Executive Center – July 29, 2012
• St. Louis, MO – Maryville University – Auditorium – August 2, 2012
• Cape Girardeau, MO – Southeast Missouri State University – Glenn Auditorium – August 3, 2012
• Springfield, MO – Doubletree Hotel – August 6, 2012
• Kansas City, MO – Adams Pointe Conference Center – August 7, 2012

The topics will include:

• FMLA: Top 10 Mistakes School Districts Should Avoid
• Don’t Filter Me: Understanding the Requirements of the CIPA and Protecting Your District from First Amendment Claims
• Put Me In Coach: A Review Of MSHSAA’s Eligibility Requirements
• Covering Your Bases: Your Annual Checklist For A Successful School Year
• YEAR OF LIVING DANGERSOUSLY: OCR vs. Missouri Public Schools

For more information and to register please click here.

On January 31, 2012, a trial was held before Judge Ellen Ribaudo. At the close of evidence, the Judge asked for post-trial briefing on the settlement issue. Shortly after Rubenstein filed a brief on behalf of Walmar, the Judge issued a judgment in favor of Walmar for the complete amount of unpaid rent requested, as well as $7500 in attorney’s fees, and all court costs.

Walmar Investment Company is a commercial real estate developer that provides unique commercial opportunities for sale and lease in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties.

In a case of first impression, Mickes Goldman O’Toole attorneys and other co-defendants’ counsel sought dismissal of the suit, based on the fact that the student who attended the  College never paid more than $50.00 per credit hour.  The College also argued that the suit was improper because the statute specifically stated that all other financial aide was to be applied to the tuition before the Heroes Act cap, and thus was not intended to limit the amount of tuition the College could collect from other sources. 

On July 5, 2011, St. Louis County Judge Ellen Siwak heard arguments from the parties on the motion to dismiss, and on December 5, 2011, she granted the colleges’ motion, and dismissed the case.

The listings were based on surveying thousands of law firm clients; leading lawyers and law firm managers; partners and associates; and, marketing officers and recruiting officers. To be eligible for a ranking, a firm had to have at least one lawyer listed in Best Lawyers. Tom Mickes has been on the list of Best Lawyers for 2010 and 2011. Super Lawyers magazine has also selected Tom Mickes a “Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyer” in Education for the past few years. He has also been similarly recognized during this period in St. Louis and Kansas City Magazine.

The District argued its discipline decision was justified because the statements were “True Threats” and these statements caused a substantial disruption in the District’s efficient operation of the high school. After being awarded summary judgment by the District Court, Plaintiff appealed and on August 1, 2011, the Eighth Circuit affirmed the decision in the District’s favor.

This decision represents a significant victory for Missouri public school districts, as it confirms their ability to proactively respond to threatening electronic communications without the threat of liability for First Amendment violations. The Firm congratulates Teri Goldman, Joe Wientge, Mary Sample, Shannon Maechling, and Christine Clement on their hard work on this important matter.

The Director, a tenured teacher in the district, appealed to Circuit Court of Jasper County and then eventually brought the case before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. Following briefing and oral argument, the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the termination decision of the Board of Education. In June 2011, Ms. Homa’s application for transfer for review was denied by the Missouri Supreme Court.