Patricia R. Andrews Partner
tandrews@andrewsandprice.com
Education
- University of Pittsburgh (B.A. 1994)
- George Washington University (J.D. 1997)
Special Recognitions:
- 2015 Recipient of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law, School of Education and Tri-State Area Study Council’s Distinguished Achievement in Law Award
Patricia R. Andrews is a partner with the Law Firm of Andrews & Price, working primarily in the School Law Section. She represents the firm’s school clients and acts as special counsel to a number of school districts in Right to Education of Exceptional Children special education due process hearings and has done extensive work under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These cases are litigated as administrative hearings through the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office for Dispute Resolution. Ms. Andrews also represents school districts on IDEA issues at the appellate level in both the United States District Court and Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
Ms. Andrews has prepared seminar materials and provided numerous in-services and seminars at the local and state level in the area of special education. She provides in-service training through the Intermediate Unit to Special Education Directors and to local school district principals and staff. She has given seminars through the Pennsylvania School Board’s Association to board members and school solicitors and through the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, National Bar Institute and Lorman Education Services.
In addition to her work in special education, Ms. Andrews provides general solicitorship services to the firm’s school clients. She advises districts in the area of students’ rights, including residency issues, confidentiality of student records and First Amendment rights. Ms. Andrews has represented both the Administration and School Boards in student disciplinary matters involving suspension and expulsion hearings. She also works with the Administration on personnel issues, including contract grievances, disciplinary hearings and termination proceedings.
Ms. Andrews coordinates the firm’s publication of the Special Education Alert newsletter published through the Tri-State School Study Council and the University of Pittsburgh. She also provides pro bono legal guidance to the Homeless Children Family Emergency Fund and has worked with school districts on the McKinney Act, a federal statute protecting the educational rights of homeless children.