Civil Rights and Constitutional Law
- Retaliatory Discharge
- Employment Discrimination
- Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
- Lead Paint Poisoning Litigation against public/private entities
- Blind Pension Litigation
Social justice is not a term typically associated with law firms. But the Law Office of Thomas E. Kennedy, III, L.C. is not a typical law firm. Our lawyers are dedicated to providing high-quality representation to people whose rights were violated in the workplace or by governmental authorities. Our attorneys are accomplished trial lawyers, who litigate aggressively in both federal and state courts. We are often able to create systemic change through our efforts to enforce the law, and we relish such results. Our ability to handle complex cases against well-financed defendants never detracts from our determination to provide personally tailored legal solutions to people who have suffered from Civil Rights violations.
School Law and Special Education
- Special Education Advocacy (IDEA, Section 504, ADA)
- School Discipline Matters, including Suspension and Expulsion
- Title IX litigation
Parents and their children are entitled to certain rights under a variety of federal and state laws. We have handled every aspect of school law and special education. We exclusively represent either parents or organizations serving children or adults with disabilities. Our attorneys have appeared in hundreds of due process hearings as well as numerous federal and state court appeals. Our attorneys are also experienced in handling ADA and Section 504 matters, in administrative hearings and in court.
We are also available to assist parents through the IEP process. Our services include IEP preparation and attendance. We are also happy to make presentations for parents and organizations regarding special education and disability law. Please contact our office for more information.
Fair Housing
- Refusal to rent/sell on the basis of race, sex, familial status or disability
- Group home litigation
- Accessibility of new housing development
Our attorneys have handled many Fair Housing cases in Illinois and Missouri. We exclusively represent plaintiffs – either individuals or organizations with complaints of discrimination. Our attorneys have handled numerous cases in federal court, including Baxter v. City of Belleville, the first case which held that the Fair Housing Act prohibited a city’s exclusion of a group homes for persons with AIDS, and F.H. v. City of Creve Coeur, a similar case in Missouri which involved the participation of the U.S. Dept. of Justice. In F.H., a trial was held and an injunction and a money judgment was entered against the City of Creve Coeur permitting development of a group home for persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Adoption & Foster Care
The choice to foster or adopt a child is a major life event, and chances are, the child you have welcomed into your home, needs more than a typical parent can provide. We are familiar with the attachment and trauma issues common to children and families going through the process of foster care and adoption. In our practice we represent foster and adoptive parents seeking access to services and funds for the children in their care. In addition to representing parents before DCFS, we also represent foster and adoptive parents in juvenile and family court matters.
Nonprofit Corporations
- Corporate governance issues
- Personnel matters
- Contracts
- Confidentiality issues
- Federal/state regulatory matters
Our attorneys are experienced in working with nonprofit corporations in both Illinois and Missouri. They have assisted in corporate formation, drafting and revision of corporate governance documents, development of corporate policies, drafting and enforcement of contacts, and corporate dissolution.
Organizations serving people with disabilities
We also represent for-profit corporations in their work serving people with disabilities. Our clients have included providers of in home health care and personal attendants.
Social Security and SSI
- Disability Insurance Benefits (Title II)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Survivor’s/Widow’s Benefits
- Overpayment Cases
Attorneys at the firm are happy to consult with you, without charge, concerning your Social Security matter. Collectively we have handled many such cases for over 50 years, and we are among the most experienced and dedicated lawyers who handle Social Security and SSI matters in Illinois and Missouri.