For more than 30 years, Kluczynski, Girtz & Vogelzang (KGV) has been trusted by school districts across Michigan to defend against complex claims and high-stakes litigation.
Our School Litigation Defense team, including Mark T. Ostrowski, Jessica M. Stark, and Kyle J. Zielinski, brings more than 50 years of combined experience representing schools and municipalities in state and federal courts.
Our attorneys have appeared in nearly every State Circuit Court in West Michigan, as well as in Oakland and Wayne Counties. We regularly practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and, through Mark Ostrowski's admission, the United States Supreme Court.
Areas of Expertise
KGV has successfully defended school districts in matters involving:
- Employment & Labor: Discrimination, wrongful discharge, whistleblower claims, teacher evaluation and layoff challenges.
- Student & School Issues: Bullying, harassment, Title IX gender discrimination, and sexual harassment.
- Civil Rights & Federal Statutes: Claims under the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, ELCRA, and related state and federal laws.
- Personal Injury & Liability: No-Fault automobile and school bus accidents, premises liability, and other injury claims.
- Contracts & Commercial Claims: Breach of contract and intellectual property disputes, including patent infringement.
Title IX Defense Leadership
KGV has been at the forefront of Title IX litigation, a rapidly evolving area involving allegations of sexual assault and gender discrimination. We are proud to note that every Title IX case we have defended has been successfully resolved.
Administrative & Quasi-Judicial Proceedings
Beyond litigation, we represent school districts in investigations before agencies such as the:
- U.S. Department of Education
- Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights
These proceedings often involve complaints under the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, Title IX, and other state and federal civil rights laws.
Why Schools Trust KGV
With decades of focused experience, our attorneys are uniquely equipped to handle the full spectrum of claims facing educational institutions. Whether in the courtroom or during agency investigations, we provide strategic, practical, and results-driven defense to protect the mission and resources of school districts.
