Bilello and Soowal, PLLC is a Pompano Beach-based education law firm representing Broward County families in IEP and 504 plan disputes, evaluation denials, and school discipline matters connected to a disability. Our office is located at 2335 E. Atlantic Blvd, Ste. 200, Pompano Beach, FL 33062. We represent families at every stage of the special education process, from IEP team meetings through mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings, and we offer a free consultation to review your case.
A Broward County Firm Built On Four Generations Of Practice
Our attorneys have spent their careers inside Florida’s education system, working directly with school districts, parents, and students. We understand how Broward County Public Schools handles IEP meetings, evaluation timelines, and disciplinary hearings, because we have sat across the table from district counsel many times before.
- Focus: Education law is not a side practice for our firm. It is the only area of law we handle.
- Local Presence: Our Pompano Beach office is located in Broward County, one of the largest school districts in the nation, giving us direct familiarity with local procedures and staff.
- Access: We offer a free consultation so your family can understand your options before making any commitment.
What A Special Education Attorney Handles In Pompano Beach
Special education law in Florida sits at the intersection of federal statutes and state rules. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act set the baseline protections, while Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.03028 governs how Broward County Public Schools must identify, evaluate, and serve eligible students.
A special education attorney in Pompano Beach reviews your child’s evaluations and IEP for legal compliance, attends meetings alongside you, and steps in when the school district denies services, changes placement without agreement, or fails to implement a plan that has already been approved.
We also represent families in disciplinary matters connected to a disability, including manifestation determination reviews, when a student faces suspension or a change in placement following a behavioral incident.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act recognizes a specific list of disability categories that can qualify a student for an IEP, including autism, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, emotional or behavioral disability, other health impairment, and intellectual disability, among others. Eligibility is not automatic.
A student must be evaluated, found to have a qualifying disability, and shown to need specialized instruction as a result. Families are sometimes told informally that their child does not qualify, without ever receiving a formal evaluation or written notice explaining that decision. Florida law requires the district to provide prior written notice whenever it proposes or refuses to take an action related to your child’s evaluation, identification, or placement, and that notice is often where a case begins.
Signs Your Child May Need An IEP Or 504 Plan
Many parents come to us after noticing a pattern at home or hearing similar concerns from a teacher, without knowing whether the issue rises to the level of a legal right to support. A few common signs include falling behind academically despite effort, frequent frustration or refusal around schoolwork, repeated disciplinary referrals for behavior that seems out of character, difficulty with attention, communication, or sensory regulation, and a diagnosis from a doctor or therapist that has not yet been shared formally with the school.
None of these signs guarantee eligibility on their own. What they do mean is that your child has a right to be evaluated, and the school district has an obligation to respond to that request within specific timelines. We can review what has happened so far and help you request an evaluation properly, in writing, so the district’s response is documented from the start.
IEP Versus 504 Plan: What Broward County Parents Need To Know
Families often come to us unsure which protection applies to their child. Both plans exist to support students with disabilities, but they are built on different laws and provide different levels of support.
| Individualized Education Program (IEP) | Section 504 Plan |
| Created under the Individuals with Disabilities Education ActFor students who need specialized instruction, not just accommodationsIncludes measurable goals and progress reportingDeveloped and reviewed by an IEP team, including the parentCovers related services such as speech, occupational, or physical therapy | Created under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation ActFor students who can access the general curriculum with accommodationsFocuses on removing barriers rather than specialized instructionTypically lighter in process than an IEP, though still legally enforceableCommon for students with ADHD, chronic health conditions, or similar needs |
If your child has been denied an evaluation for either plan, or if the school has proposed a 504 plan when an IEP may be more appropriate, we can review the record and advise on next steps.
The Special Education Dispute Resolution Ladder
Most disagreements with a school district do not start in a courtroom. Federal law builds in several steps before a formal hearing, and many families resolve their concerns before reaching the top of the ladder. We can represent you at any stage, but earlier involvement often leads to a faster, less adversarial outcome.
1. Informal Resolution With The IEP Team
Most concerns are raised and resolved directly in an IEP meeting, without any outside process.
2. Written Complaint To The School District
A documented request or objection creates a record and often prompts a faster district response.
3. Mediation
A neutral mediator helps the family and district reach a voluntary agreement, without the formality of a hearing.
4. State Complaint To The Florida Department Of Education
The state investigates whether the district violated a specific requirement of federal or state special education law.
5. Due Process Hearing
A formal hearing before an administrative law judge, used when other steps have not resolved the dispute.
How Long A Due Process Case Typically Takes
Families frequently ask how long a formal dispute will take. Federal regulations set outer limits on the process, though many cases resolve well before reaching a decision at a hearing.
| Milestone | Days From Complaint Filing |
| Resolution Period Ends | 30 Days |
| Hearing Decision Due | 75 Days |
Source: 34 CFR Section 300.510 (resolution period) and 300.515 (hearing decision timeline). Actual timing varies by case and may be shortened through settlement or expedited hearing procedures.
What To Expect When You Work With Our Firm
Families usually reach out to us at a stressful point, after a meeting did not go as they hoped or after a written denial arrived with little explanation. Our first goal is to slow things down and give you a clear picture of where you actually stand.
During your free consultation, we review whatever documentation you have, including evaluations, the current IEP or 504 plan, and any emails or letters from the school. We explain which rung of the process you are on, what your realistic options are, and what it would look like to move forward with our help. There is no obligation to continue after that conversation.
If you decide to move forward, we handle communication with the school district directly, prepare you for meetings, and draft the written requests and objections that create a strong record if the dispute needs to escalate. Our goal at every stage is the same: to get your child the services they are legally entitled to with as little disruption to their school year as possible.
Special Education Issues We Handle For Pompano Beach Families
- Evaluation Denials: When a school district refuses or delays a requested evaluation for special education eligibility, or relies on outdated testing to avoid reevaluating a student.
- IEP Non-Implementation: When an approved IEP is not being followed in the classroom or during related services, including missed therapy sessions or unapproved changes to accommodations.
- Placement Disputes: When a district proposes moving a student to a different program, classroom, or school setting without the family’s agreement or adequate justification.
- Manifestation Determinations: When a student faces suspension or expulsion and the family believes the behavior in question was connected to the student’s disability.
- 504 Plan Denials: When a school declines to create, update, or properly implement a 504 plan for a student who may qualify for accommodations.
- Transition Planning: When a student’s IEP does not adequately prepare them for employment, further education, or independent living after high school.
More From Bilello And Soowal
- Special Education Lawyers Orlando
- Broward County, Florida Education Attorneys
- Manifestation Determinations: Students With Disabilities Have Rights
- 504 Plans In Florida: Everything You Need To Know
- Parents’ Legal Rights In Special Education Disputes
- Special Needs Planning
Special Education Attorney FAQs
What Does A Special Education Attorney In Pompano Beach Do?
A special education attorney reviews evaluations, IEPs, and 504 plans for compliance with federal and Florida law, represents families in meetings with Broward County Public Schools, and advocates through mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings when a resolution cannot be reached informally.
When Should We Hire A Special Education Lawyer Instead Of A Parent Advocate?
A parent advocate can help with routine IEP meetings, but a lawyer becomes important once a dispute involves a denial of services, a disagreement over placement, a suspension or manifestation determination, or any point where the school district has legal representation of its own.
What Is The Difference Between An IEP And A 504 Plan In Florida?
An IEP is created under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for students who need specialized instruction, while a 504 plan is created under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for students who need accommodations to access the same curriculum as their peers without specialized instruction.
How Long Does A Special Education Dispute Take To Resolve In Broward County?
Timelines vary by dispute type. Federal regulations set a 30-day resolution period after a due process complaint is filed, with a hearing decision generally due within 45 days of the end of that period, though mediation and informal resolution can often move faster.
Does Hiring A Special Education Attorney Cost Us Anything Upfront?
We offer a free consultation to review your situation before any commitment is made, so you can understand your options and potential costs before deciding how to proceed.
What Should We Bring To Our First Meeting With A Special Education Lawyer?
Bring the most recent IEP or 504 plan, any evaluation reports, written communication with the school, and a short timeline of what has happened so far. This helps us assess your case quickly and give you clear next steps.