LaPointe & Butler, P.C. has experience in all aspects of special education issues and disputes. Having represented schools, advised the Michigan Department of Education and previously worked as service providers in schools, we are fluent in the pertinent legal and special education language affecting school based disability related issues. Furthermore, we have honed our legal skills in a multitude of forums. We have represented schools in IEPT meetings, in due process hearings, appeals to federal district court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Our law firm is comprised of an attorney staff which specializes in disability law in the school setting:

• Sharon LaPointe has been involved in special education since 1971, first as a school psychologist and later as an attorney handling special education matters.
• Paul Zimmer joined the firm as Of Counsel after 20 years of advising and representing the Michigan Department of Education with respect to special education issues in his prior position as Assistant Attorney General.
• Jeffrey Butler joined the firm after nearly 9 years of legal experience with the State of Michigan, 6 of which were spent advising and representing the Michigan Department of Education as Assistant Attorney General.
• Jordan Bullinger was previously engaged in a general legal practice with a focus on civil, family and contract law. He joined the firm in July 2009 to pursue his interest in a disability law practice.
• Vickie Coe joined the firm as of June 1, 2010. Vickie is a Cum Laude graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, a managing editor of the Law Review and a nationally-accomplished trial team advocate. Before joining the firm, Vickie worked for the Michigan Court of Appeals.