Janet L. Horton
Partner
Laura Speer
713.223.2300 x2478
Janet L. Horton advises schools on student issues such as the education of students with disabilities pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, as well as discipline and constitutional issues such as search and seizure, First Amendment and due process. Ms. Horton has extensive experience in school board policy development, First Amendment matters including religion, attendance and residency issues, the Fourth Amendment including drug testing, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including school access issues, curriculum issues and governmental liability.
Ms. Horton also advises schools and other public employers on policies and procedures concerning employees, investigation of claims of wrongdoing, responding to allegations of discrimination by employees, and documentation and termination of employment. She regularly represents schools and public-sector clients in contested matters in administrative hearings, state and federal court, and appellate proceedings.
Publications and Speeches
"Facing Legal Challenges by Students with Autism," Special Education Law Update, August 2000.
"School Prayer: What the Santa Fe ISD v. Doe Ruling Means," LRP Publications, 2000.
"Modifications: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, and the Consequences of Failing to Implement Them," GCASE Legal Conference, December 9, 1999.
Co-presenter, "Dealing with Violent and Disruptive Students, "6th Annual LRP Special Education School Attorneys Conference, February 5, 2000.
Education
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 1980
B.A., with honors, The University of Texas at Austin, 1975
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
Texas Association of School Boards, Legal Assistance Fund Board of Trustees, 1998-2000
Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys, Executive Committee, 1995-2000; Vice Chairperson 1998-1999; Chair, 1999-2000
State Bar of Texas, School Law Section, Executive Committee, 1982 to 1990; Vice Chair, 1986; Chair-Elect, 1987; Chair, 1988-1989
National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, Executive Committee, 2000 - present; Urban Law Committee, Chair, 2001-2002
Education Law Association, Board of Directors, 1989-1992; New Products and Services Committee, Chair, 1992-1993
Houston Bar Association
American Bar Association, Section of State and Local Governnment Law, Committee on Public Education, Vice-Chair of Programs, 1996-1997
Noteworthy
The Best Lawyers in America, 2008
Texas Super Lawyer, school and educational law, 2004-2007