Ms. Huot advises clients in many aspects of school law including: representation in administrative proceedings, appeals and litigation in state and federal court, reviewing and drafting board policies, and advising clients on special education, discipline, and other student issues on a day-to-day basis. She regularly makes legal presentations to school district clients and at various school law seminars, prepares written materials and plans, and presents at seminars regarding school law matters. Ms. Huot also has extensive experience in general litigation, having tried cases to verdict in federal and state courts in Pennsylvania.

A graduate of Delaware Law School of Widener University, Ms. Huot has a degree in History and French from the College of St. Catherine.

Representative Matters

• Successfully represented school district client that prevailed in a case of first impression in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In DK v. Abington Sch. Dist., 696 F.3d 233 (3d Cir. 2012) the Court addressed the issue of the exceptions to the statute of limitations under the IDEA, establishing a clear standard for what parents are required to prove in order to obtain relief for a period more than two years before they file a due process complaint.
• Represented school district clients in numerous due process hearings concerning a variety of issues, including IDEA issues such as compensatory education, tuition reimbursement and discipline, alleged Section 504 violations, and gifted issues.
• Successfully represented school district clients in appeals of special education matters to the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
• Represented educational management organizations in contract negotiations with the School District of Philadelphia, with regard to delivery of special education services.

Speeches and Publications

• “Social Media and Social Networking – Discipline Issues for Students.” City of Philadelphia Law Department “Life in the Big City” CLE Program. July 28, 2017.

Presented at the Lehigh University Special Education Law Conference:

• “Sexual Misconduct and Harassment in Schools.” May 11, 2018.
• “The Substantive Standard for FAPE: How Much Benefit is Required?” May 12, 2017.
• “Rights of Children with Disabilities Placed Outside Their Homes.” 2016.
• “The Juxtaposition Between Mental Health and FAPE.” 2015.
• “Transition Plans: Ready or Not.” 2013.
• “The ‘Problem Student’: Legal Issues and Trends in Emotional Disturbance Identifications.” Moderator. 2012.
• “The ‘New’ Section 504 Developments in the Law Following the ADA Amendments Act.” 2011.
• “Legal Obligations of School Districts for Residential Placement.” 2010.
• “Parentally Placed Private School Children.” 2007.
• “Settlement Agreements in Special Education Disputes.” 2006.
• “Extended School Year Services.” 2005.

Presented at the Lehigh University Special Education Law Symposium:

• “Remedies: The Major Alternatives for Denials of FAPE.” June 28, 2018.
• “Restraints and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities and Discipline of Students with Disabilities.” 2014.
• “Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The Key Criteria” and “Hot Topic: Tuition Reimbursement.” 2013.
• “Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The Key Criteria,” and “Hot Topic: Child Find Nuances.” 2012.
• “Autism under the IDEA – Current Issues.” 2011.
• “Top 10 Springboard Issues to Dispute under IDEA 2004.” 2009.
• “Student Discipline.” 2008.

Presented at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute Exceptional Children Conference:

• “Sexual Misconduct in the Schools.” October 8, 2018

Presented at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit:

• “Gifted Legal Issues.” 2008.

Previous Employment

• Law clerk to the Honorable James R. Cavanaugh, Superior Court of Pennsylvania
• Associate, Duane, Morris and Heckscher, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department of Philadelphia

Personal Interests

• Ms. Huot is involved in service activities and is a past member of the parish council at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia.