August 20, 2024
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100% Results-Driven | 100% Dedicated | 100% Committed
100 Main Street
Fort Worth Attorney
Dr. Sarah S. Flournoy began practicing in the area of school law following six years as a secondary social studies teacher in a Title I school district and five years as a corporate attorney. She works primarily with both public and private K-12 educational entities on a broad range of legal issues including employment, student discipline, special education, contracts, procurement, construction, policy development, elections, and open government. In addition to special education due process hearings, she has defended educational entities before state and federal agencies and courts.
Prior to joining the firm, Dr. Flournoy served at Irving ISD as their in-house attorney for three years.
J.D. Dedman School Law Southern Methodist University, 2002
Ed.D. University of Houston, 2012
B.A. Wellesley College, 1997
State of Texas, 2002
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
State Bar of Texas
School Law Section State Bar of Texas
Tarrant County Bar Association
Dallas Bar Association
Texas Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys
Construction Contracts Committee of the Texas Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys
Texas Association of School Administrators
Texas Council of Women School Executives
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Education Law Association
Successfully obtained order of dismissal on jurisdictional grounds in employment claim for retaliation. Gabriana Clay White v. Grand Prairie Independent. School. District.; Cause No. DC-23-12183, in the 298th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
Successfully defeated Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Summary Judgment Motion involving First Amendment claims. Mitchell Ryan v. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent. School. District.; No. 4:21-CV-01075-P (N.D. Tex.—Fort Worth, 2023).
Negotiated “walk away” mediated settlement agreement involving claims of Americans with Disability Act for discrimination and retaliation, Title VII sex discrimination and retaliation, Title IX sex discrimination and retaliation, First Amendment, and Texas Open Meetings Act claims. Joshua Hamilton and Sydney Hamilton v. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent. School. District.; No. 4:21-CV-00969-P (N.D. Tex.—Fort Worth, 2022).
Successfully obtained stipulation of dismissal in class action suit involving claims of U.S. Constitution Due Process and Equal Protection violations. Jane Doe Lago Vista, et al. v. Lago Vista Independent. School. District., et al.; No. 1:21-CV-00862-LY (W.D.—Austin, 2022).
Fair and Effective Documentation – Students, July 2024
Procurement, Gifts and the Ethics of it All, January 2024
When You Cross the Loud Ones: Lessons from Loudoun County School Board v. Cross on Employee Speech, Religion, and Transgender Students’ Rights, with Christopher Thomas, J.D., Ed.D., Education Law Association Annual Conference, October 2023.
If You Have Nothing Nice to Say, You Can Nothing at All: Public Forums in Public Schools, Education Law Association Annual Conference, October 2023.
If You Have Nothing Nice to Say, You Can Nothing at All: Public Forums in Public Schools, Education Law Association Annual Conference, October 2023.
Instructional Resources, Library Books, and the First Amendment, panelist, Council of School Attorneys Spotlight Session, TASA/TASB Convention, September 2023
Post Legislative Update 2024, September 2023
Title IX Regulations, September 2023
Team of 8 Training, September 2023
Free Speech Rights: Public Employee and Private Citizen, UT Law CLE 38th Annual School Law Conference, February 2023
Board Meetings, Governance, and Media Relations, December 2022
Legal Issues Facing School Boards, November 2022
Pico Plinko: The Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and School Libraries, November 2022
Team of Eight: Piecing it all together . . ., October 2022
Compliance: Back to Basics, September 2022
Fair and Effective Documentation: Student Discipline, July 2022
How to Conduct an Investigation in Five Steps, July 2022
Take the Bullying by the Horns, February 2022
New AP Potpourri, July 2021
Section 504 = Albatross? October 2020
Title IX Regulations 2020 Update: Sexual Harassment, October 2020
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act For Private Schools Accepting Paycheck Protection Program Funds (PPP), May 2019
Update on Child Custody Agreements/Orders, June 2019
Defending Employees at Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), September 2019
How to Handle A Grievance, December 2019
Investigating Student Threats, State Bar of Texas School Law Section Retreat, July 2018
Restraint and Discipline Post-Papa, State Bar of Texas School Law Section Retreat
Unraveling the Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Texas Special Education Law, National Business Institute
Ethics in Special Education Law, Texas Special Education Law, National Business Institute
Evaluation and Eligibility, Special Education Laws Made Simple, National Business Institute
Individualized Education Programs, Special Education Laws Made Simple, National Business Institute
Placement Decisions and Least Restrictive Environment, Special Education Laws Made Simple, National Business Institute
Disciplinary Procedures, Special Education Laws Made Simple, National Business Institute
“The Business of Education: Why do school districts need lawyers?” Texas Bar Journal (March 2023).
Commentary: “Pico Plinko: The Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and School Libraries” West’s Education Law Reporter (January 2023)
Board Member, Council of School Attorney
Director and Secretary, Education Law Association
100% Results-Driven | 100% Dedicated | 100% Committed
100 Main Street
100% Results-Driven | 100% Dedicated | 100% Committed
100 Main Street