Gahagan Paradis PLLC

04/04/2026

An entire school learned sign language so they could communicate with one deaf student.

03/10/2026

"During a Feb. 25 webinar, education researchers, advocates, and former federal officials discussed what the reduced federal oversight of special education could mean for students with disabilities."

Read more: https://www.ednc.org/3-2-2026-dismantling-department-of-education-could-worsen-inequities-for-students-with-disabilities-researchers-say/

03/01/2026

Legal and Administrative Assistant Needed for Education Law Firm
Representing Parents and Families in North Carolina.

At Gahagan Paradis, the focus our practice is education law with special education as our largest practice area. We also handle a variety of other education matters – 504 plans and disability discrimination, bullying, accommodations for college students, student discipline, school transfer, and FERPA. Smaller areas of our practice are guardianship and powers of attorney. See our website for details on practice areas: https://ncgplaw.com/

We try cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings and state and federal courts. We also represent clients at board of education hearings, local 504 hearings, and special proceedings.

Duties & Responsibilities:
• Obtain and manage record requests and releases;
• Data entry in case management program;
• Organize records and enter key information in record review spreadsheets for attorney use when conducting the record review;
• Organize and maintain client files;
• File documents with court systems as needed;
• Assist with other paralegal tasks in the absence of the paralegals;
• Prepare correspondence and assist with mailings;
• Assist Office Manager with HR tasks, as needed;
• Assist Office Manager with new client intakes and client onboarding;
• Assist with other administrative tasks in coordination with the Office Manager;
• Answer and route phone calls, in coordination with the Office Manager.

List of qualifications:
• Associate’s degree with preference for bachelor’s degree.
• Notary preferred but will consider a candidate willing and able to become a notary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Previous law firm experience preferred.
• Experience handling confidential, sensitive, or proprietary data.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.

Our office is located in Durham. We are seeking candidates for an in-person position. We will consider a full or part-time remote position for the right candidate.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Gahagan Paradis exclusively represents students and parents of students in North Carolina. If you're facing issues with the education system, call us today.

03/01/2026

Paralegal Needed for Education Law Firm Representing Parents and Families in North Carolina.

At Gahagan Paradis, the focus our practice is education law with special education as our largest practice area. We also handle a variety of other education matters – 504 plans and disability discrimination, bullying, accommodations for college students, student discipline, school transfer, and FERPA. Smaller areas of our practice are guardianship and powers of attorney. See our website for details on practice areas: https://ncgplaw.com/

We try cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings and state and federal courts. We also represent clients at board of education hearings, local 504 hearings, and special proceedings.

Duties & Responsibilities:
• Drafts of legal documents including pleadings, petitions, motions and correspondence;
• Drafts of discovery requests;
• File documents with courts and administrative agencies, and tribunals;
• Prepare litigation materials, trial notebooks, exhibits and subpoenas;
• Prepare materials for attorneys in preparation for school meetings, hearings, and other proceedings;
• Maintain and update case calendars and case meetings;
• Schedule depositions including preparing notices/subpoenas, arranging court reporters;
• Obtain and manage record requests and releases;
• Update and maintain case management program;
• Organize and maintain electronic case files;
• Provide other legal and administrative support for attorneys;
• Communicate with court personnel, opposing counsel, and clients;
• Deliver case materials to courts, administrative agencies, or law firms; and
• Assist with other administrative tasks in absence of the Office Manager.

List of qualifications:
• Associate’s degree and/or Paralegal Certification.
• NCCP or NALA Certification preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn about NC Education Law.
• Experience with Westlaw and Clio software preferred.
• Knowledge of e-filing systems for state and federal courts.
• Commitment to protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities.
• Strong research, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver's license and a good driving record; and
• Ability to work with diverse populations.

We are seeking candidates to work a hybrid schedule in our Durham office.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Gahagan Paradis exclusively represents students and parents of students in North Carolina. If you're facing issues with the education system, call us today.

02/15/2026

01/31/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GLTqMBiwv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thanks to The Parenting for this interesting post!

A groundbreaking study from Stanford revealed a simple yet powerful insight: delaying kindergarten by just one year significantly reduces inattention and hyperactivity in children. The reduction was a remarkable seventy-three percent, offering an alternative perspective on managing early behavioral challenges.

What makes this finding striking is that the improvement didn’t come from medication, strict rules, or intensive interventions. It stemmed from giving children extra time to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills before entering a formal classroom setting. This additional year allows the brain to mature, improving attention control, self-regulation, and executive function.

Early childhood development isn’t uniform—some children benefit from extra time to build focus and coping skills. Parents and educators can consider readiness factors beyond age alone, like emotional resilience, communication skills, and social confidence, to determine the optimal time for school entry.

This research challenges assumptions that early academic pressure is always beneficial. Allowing children the space to grow at their own pace supports long-term focus, learning, and behavioral health.

By understanding the brain’s natural developmental timeline, families can make informed decisions that foster attention, emotional stability, and success, giving children the best start without relying on medication or strict discipline.

To read more anoit this Stanford University study, visit https://cepa.stanford.edu/news/waiting-start-kindergarten-can-be-good-kids-study-says



𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: https://tinyurl.com/2st3wzkr

10/25/2025

The group of teens brought their concerns to city council member Chelsea Cook. They collaborated to create the code amendment that now makes it unlawful to collect rent on properties with “im…

06/16/2025

We are was excited about the Supreme Court’s ruling on Thursday June 12, 2025, in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. The ruling will impact plaintiffs suing in federal court under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For individuals pursuing these claims, the ruling changes what plaintiffs must show to prove a school district discriminated against a student on the basis of disability. Some circuit courts of appeals, including the Fourth Circuit where North Carolina is, used the “bad faith or gross misjudgment” standard, which can be a high bar to meet. Other circuits in the US only required plaintiffs to show “deliberate indifference,” to prove a school district discriminated. This deliberate indifference standard is a lower hurdle for plaintiffs to clear to prove their case. With this Supreme Court ruling in A.J.T., now all federal courts must use the “deliberate indifference” standard. Ultimately, this ruling will provide more judicial protections to plaintiffs in North Carolina.

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-249_a86c.pdf

The case was closely watched by disability rights groups who say there was a “nearly insurmountable barrier” for help sought by schoolchildren.

05/23/2025

While this is good news, this does not necessarily mean it’s business as usual at the U.S. Department of Education. The chaos created by the mass firings will challenge the Department’s ability to conduct its work for some time.

A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Education Department and ordered the agency to reinstate employees who were fired in mass layoffs.

03/20/2025

Current Events: Lawsuit Challenges Department of Education's Abdication of Responsibility in Processing Civil Rights ⚖️📰

On March 14, 2025, the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) filed a lawsuit demanding that the U.S. Department of Education restore the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). This action follows recent steps by the Department of Education (E.D.) to undermine and effectively dismantle the OCR.

The OCR plays a crucial role in investigating allegations of discrimination under federal anti-discrimination laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in schools and colleges that accept federal funding. The OCR accepts complaints from the public related to discrimination based on race, s*x, and disability. Last year alone, it received nearly 23,000 complaints from individuals across the country. By investigating and resolving these claims, OCR ensures that educational institutions remain accountable to vulnerable populations, including students with disabilities.

However, under the leadership of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, E.D. has taken steps that frustrate OCR’s ability to function effectively. Shortly after her confirmation earlier this year, Secretary McMahon froze all OCR investigations. Although she lifted the freeze on March 6, she has since taken further actions to weaken the office, including closing seven of the twelve regional OCR offices and leaving only a skeleton crew at the remaining locations. As a result, students and parents across the nation now face significant barriers in seeking justice for discrimination—leaving the courts as their only remaining recourse.

The lawsuit filed by NCYL and COPAA seeks to restore OCR’s essential function of thoroughly investigating discrimination claims to safeguard students' civil rights and prevent bias in U.S. public schools and colleges.

🔗 Read more here:

https://youthlaw.org/news/lawsuit-challenges-department-educations-abdication-responsibility-processing-civil-rights

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/education-department-civil-rights-office.html

03/12/2025

📢 Exciting News! 📢

We’re offering a FREE 30-minute virtual IEP review to help families make sure their child’s education plan is tailored to their needs! If you or someone you know could benefit from an attorney’s review, reach out to our office today for more details.

Please share with friends and family who may need this service!

📞 919-942-1430�
📍 Gahagan Paradis

01/31/2025

It is almost time to apply for the two different NCSEAA K12 Scholarships! The Opportunity Scholarship provides funds to families for private school tuition. The Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Scholarship is specifically for students with disabilities. Qualified students can receive between $9,000 and $17,000 to go towards tuition and other expenses such as speech therapy, tutoring, and educational technology. Applications for both scholarships open February 6, 2025 and close March 6, 2025.

Welcome to the official home of the Opportunity Scholarship and the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program, which North Carolina families can use to help pay for their children's education.