School Litigation Defense

Kluczynski, Girtz & Vogelzang (“KGV”) has worked defending claims against school districts for more than 30 years. The current school defense group, including Mark T. Ostrowski, Jessica M. Stark and Bogomir “Beau” Rajsic, III, has approximately 50 years combined experience in this area of law. Counsel has appeared in most, if not all, State Circuit Courts in West Michigan and in Oakland and Wayne Counties. KGV attorneys regularly appear in federal court, both the Western District of Michigan and in 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, Mark Ostrowski is admitted with the United States Supreme Court for the purpose of brief submission.

KGV has successfully represented school districts in a wide array of cases, including those involving employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, personal injury, No-Fault Automobile, school bus accidents, student bullying and harassment, Title IX gender discrimination and sexual harassment, State and Federal Civil Rights claims, Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, teacher challenges to evaluation and layoff procedures, Whistleblower Protection Act, breach of contract claim and patent infringement.

KGV has been at the forefront of defending Title IX claims, arising out of alleged sexual assault and gender discrimination. This is a rapidly evolving and growing area of litigation. KGV has successfully resolved all of the Title IX cases in which it has been involved.

KGV also serves to protect the interests of school districts during quasi-judicial proceedings such as investigations by the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Michigan Department of Civil Rights. These investigations include Complaints filed against a school district alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Title VII, Title IX, Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

KGV attorneys’ experience in these diverse areas of litigation make them uniquely qualified to represent school districts, other municipalities, and commercial enterprises in complex litigation.