Georgia Injury Lawyer Blog

Good Georgia Education Lawyer Resolves Former Fulton County School District Employee's Dispute

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:23:18 -0500

A Fulton County school district former employee resolved their dispute today with the school district. Williams Oinonen LLC was gratified to be able to represent our client and obtain a successful outcome. Said our client:

"Julie Oinonen became a driving force that fought for my rights and maximum protection under the fullest extent of the law. She was a glimmer of hope in a time of desperation, and a voice of relief in a complicated predicament. She worked with me to provide services that fit my budget, and kept me informed every step of the way. I am truly grateful for all that she has done to protect my career and to preserve my future. Thank you, Julie!!!"

Petition To Charter Committee of the State Board of Education Concerning Breach of Floyd County Charter Agreement

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:40:11 -0500

Today's front page headline in the Rome Tribune:

Gilda Day Petition by julie9094

Floyd County School Government Seeks To Infringe on Educators Constitutional Right to Due Process, Fair Dismissal Hearings

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:29:29 -0500

Gilda Day v Floyd County School District by julie9094

The Rome Tribune featured in the news today that Williams Oinonen LLC filed suit yesterday on behalf of one of the many Floyd County school educator clients, issuing the following statement:

"Not only is the Floyd County School government breaching the charter agreement by violating the people of Floyd County's right to local self-governance by excluding parents, principals, and community leaders who make up the Local Governance Councils in their decision to RIF, but now the local government is depriving Floyd County educators of their constitutional and civil rights. The government is prohibited from depriving life, liberty or property without due process of law, but is now doing exactly that by attacking Floyd County educators right to a fair hearing that is required under the charter agreement, Floyd County Board of Education policy, Georgia state law, and the Constitution.

They are denying Ms. Day the right to obtain the Georgia open records act requests prior to her fair dismissal hearing and are failing to provide both the evidence to be used against her and the blank subpoenas that she is legally entitled to under both Georgia law (the Fair Dismissal Act) and the Constitution. We are asking the Court to order that the local government stop infringing on the constitutional rights of Floyd County educators and comply with Georgia law by ordering them to produce the Open Records Requests, other evidence, and blank subpoenas that she and other Floyd County educators are legally entitled to obtain prior to their due process hearing."

Most troubling, the Superintendent and Board through their attorney is now stating that it does not believe it is required to comply with the Fair Dismissal Act if it doesn't want to, that it can take away tenured educators right to a fair dismissal. This was not the intent of the charter. This was not the intent of the former Superintendent Plunkett, who sought to insure the rights of Floyd County educators were protected.

Under Georgia law and the Board of Education policy, educators are entitled to have a fair dismissal hearing, regardless of whether the district is a charter system or not. The Floyd County community is urged to contact their local school board of education member and demand that they comply with the Georgia Fair Dismissal Act and do not seek to erode the constitutional rights of Floyd County educators to due process by denying them their right to a fair dismissal hearing..

Said Ms. Oinonen: "Just because there is a charter system in place, doesn't mean that the local government doesn't have to follow the Constitution."

Williams Oinonen LLC Hosts Covenant College Pre-Law Students: Visits to Office of Fulton County Public Defender, District Attorney, Courthouse, Emory Law, and Georgia State

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:02:05 -0500

Williams Oinonen LLC was delighted to welcome back a return group of Covenant College pre-law students in Atlanta. Special thanks goes out to the Fulton County Office of the Public Defender where students enjoyed visiting last semester and learning further about a career as a public defender from the Director Vernon S. Pitts (see above photos), Supervisor D'Andre Berry, and heard fabulous stories from Supervising Trial Attorney Elizabeth Markowitz.

Special thanks also goes out to Paul Howard at Fulton County District Attorney's office where Assistant District Attorneys April McConnell and Antonio Veal coordinated a very exciting afternoon for the students which included watching a murder trial.

The day also featured a special luncheon at the Commerce Club hosted by Williams Oinonen LLC with special guest and fellow alumni Jeremy Davis of Carlock Copeland.

Today, Williams Oinonen LLC hosted a law school admissions tour day where students visited Emory University School of Law and Georgia State University College of Law. The law firm hosted a luncheon for the students at Alma Cochina.

Next month, Williams Oinonen LLC will be participating in a law school panel and workshop for pre-law students at Covenant College, on Lookout Mountain in North Georgia, Dade County.

Williams Oinonen LLC enjoys regularly hosting visits for pre-law students from a diverse array of schools and backgrounds. If you know of a pre-law student who is interested in the legal profession please feel free to contact the law firm for further information on mentorship and visiting opportunities at 404-654-0288.

Governor Nathan Deal Suspends Six DeKalb County School Board of Education Members

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:02:33 -0500

Governor Nathan Deal announced today that he was suspending six of DeKalb County school board members. Deal stated that he has appointed a panel to nominate replacements and selected Brad Bryant, a former school board member of DeKalb, to be the liaison.

This decision was based on the recommendation of the State Board of Education. SACS accreditation agency had put the District on probation in December due to a host of governance problems.

For more information, you can read Governor Nathan Deal's official statement here.

A federal district hearing this Friday is pending on the matter as the Board has filed suit in an effort to stop the Governor's decision.

Good Georgia Education Lawyer Sues DeKalb County School Board

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:24:55 -0500

Williams Oinonen LLC filed suit today on behalf of our client Ms. Denise Davis, a courageous whistleblower and former DeKalb County School District Human Resources Administrator who contends that the DeKalb County Schools unlawfully RIF'd DeKalb County educators throughout the District by failing to comply with the Georgia Reduction in Force statute O.C.G.A. § 20-2-948 and their own District policy.

Specifically, she alleges in her complaint that they circumvented the RIF requirement to consider job performance as the primary factor by eliminating entire positions, then creating new titles that were in effect the same jobs that had been eliminated but were now simply under a different name upon which they selected new hires based on favoritism, friendship, or familial status.

Unfortunately, the District continues to deny Ms. Davis' lawful request for a hearing before the DeKalb County Board of Education so that she may avoid expensive and costly litigation to the DeKalb taxpayers and to herself forcing her to file this lawsuit.

Tomorrow the DeKalb County Board of Education has a hearing before the State Board of Education to determine whether a recommendation will be made to the Governor to remove them from office.

DeKalb County School District Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson Resigns Amid Controversy

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:05:32 -0500

Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson just resigned as Superintendent amid much controversy.

The AJC reports on her resignation stating that the District is currently on probation after SACS the accreditation agency found evidence of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices.

The recent lawsuit against her was dismissed after our client who had been non-renewed due to a reduction in force was rehired by the District.

Williams Oinonen LLC is committed to protecting the rights of educators, students, and families throughout DeKalb County School District and Georgia.

Good Georgia Education Lawyer Resolves Bullying Issue At DeKalb County School District

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:35:24 -0500

Good Georgia Lawyer regularly handles education issues, student due process and disciplinary hearings, and teacher/administrator employment matters. Recently, we were very grateful for this testimonial that came from the mother of a son who was being violently assaulted as a bullying victim. Here is a thank you letter she wrote to us:

"This is a testimony of the level of of assistance I received when it came to my son. I could never thank you enough because when I came to you I was at a crossroads about my sons future in middle school as well as in High school because of his issues with bullying . He had been bullied since sixth (6th) grade because of questions regarding his sexuality and because he was coming from a private school setting. My son had been jumped and assaulted on numerous occasions but also threatened because of his diversity and also because of his unfamiliarity to a public school setting. Julie, you assisted me with this issue and further checked to make sure that his transition was easy when it came to a different setting and also a high school setting.

Unfortunately , that wasn't the case, even going to a different Dekalb County High School, because my son was different and had been labeled as "NOT" gang affiliated he was targeted yet, again. Not because of his sexuality but because he was fortunate. In the midst of all of this I was forced to turn to you (Julie} once again. My son had been jumped by gangs on two (2) separate occasions . . . My son suffers from chronic asthma and was seriously injured and a victim of a brutal assault assaulted twice in one (1) week. Thankfully you (Julie) were at my aid, yet again. and advocated for my son's rights and made sure that justice was met on his behalf.

Today, my son is in a diverse high school setting thanks to you. Julie, I can never thank you enough because your true passion is in education and serving and empowering our youth. Julie Oinonen, you are truly a blessing! [My son] and I thank you from the bottom of our heart for all that you do, and for caring!!!"

Senator Emmanuel Jones Discusses Lawsuit Against DeKalb County School District

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 22:31:06 -0500

Concerning the recent lawsuit against DeKalb County School District, Senator Emanuel Jones, leader of the DeKalb's Senate delegation commented on his concerns about the school district's failure to respond to open records requests: "When they're not responding, it just begs the question as to, 'What are they hiding? What are they covering up?'" he says, "And it's going to lead to more questions and it's going to lead to more concerns from the public and all the other stakeholders."

The AJC featured the story here and WSBTV's Erica Byfield interviewed Senator Jones on the evening news in a piece that can be read here entitled "Lawsuit Raises Concerns About DeKalb Schools Corruption" The video can be seen here.

The news story quoted our law firm attorneys stating:

"Our law firm was informed that the Superintendent did not want the text messages to go public and that as a result she was willing to offer Ms. Gipson and up to 11 of our clients their jobs back, not just for this year but also a guaranteed contract for next year as well in exchange for us withdrawing the open records demand for her text messages. We accepted in writing the offer that had been sent to us by the Chief Legal Officer of DeKalb County School District Senator Ronald Ramsey on the Superintendent's behalf.

For the Superintendent's high priced law firm paid by the taxpayers to claim no text messages is absolutely preposterous. For the school district to have backtracked out of this agreement violates our RIF'd clients rights. We received a tip in August that relevant evidence was located in those text messages and over the past several months our law firm, Senator Emmanuel Jones and the news media have demanded these text messages. We call upon our leadership to stop this cover up and comply with Georgia law."

Good Georgia Education Lawyer Sues DeKalb County School District and Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 22:11:23 -0500

Good Georgia Education Lawyer sued Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson and DeKalb County School District on behalf of our client for violations of the Open Records Act in relation to a fair dismissal hearing where a graduation coach was non-renewed due to a reduction in force.

The complaint alleged that Defendant Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson thwarted the Georgia Open Records Act by withholding the production of public documents: text messages contained within her DeKalb County School District issued cellular phone. The complaint also alleged that the Superintendent made representations that she would be willing to offer Plaintiff a job and 11 (eleven) other of Plaintiff counsel's clients who had been "RIF'd" (laid off due to a reduction in force) in exchange for Plaintiff being willing to withdraw her Georgia Open Records Act demand for the Superintendent's text messages.

As a "tenured" Georgia educator, the complaint alleged that the Plaintiff is subject to rights under the Fair Dismissal Act O.C.G.A. § 20-2-940 which provide her with the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence in a non-renewal hearing in front of a tribunal. Her due process rights are alleged to have been violated by a failure to disclose evidence and information concerning these factual allegations that are being withheld deliberately and without substantial justification by DeKalb County School District and the Superintendent.

The Plaintiff further contended that the school district unlawfully engaged in a pattern and practice of systematically and pervasively violating Georgia law O.C.G.A. § 20-2-948, through an arbitrary and capricious implementation of the Reduction in Force in violation of DeKalb County School District employees' rights.

Good Georgia Lawyer Wins Over Six Figures For Hard Working Georgia Family

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 15:55:24 -0500

Good Georgia Lawyer loves representing working class Georgia families who have been ripped off, mistreated, deceived, defrauded, and wronged probably more then anything else we do.

Just this week, a Georgia family was able to obtain compensation for their injuries against a very large, national corporation whose employees had committed fraud, negligence, and unfair and deceptive practices against their family causing them personal injury and property loss.

Said the mother of this Georgia family:

"Words couldn't even express the gratitude I have for Julie Oinonen. She worked hard on my case and truly cared for me and my family. All her hard work paid off. The first lawyer I had spoken with (before I hired Julie) told me I was looking at a winning of maybe four grand max. But the law firm of Williams Oinonen LLC was able to obtain my family well over six figures. They are lawyers you can trust and get the job done quickly and effectively!"

Good Georgia Lawyer prides itself on not being a big settlement mill that sells our clients down the river by settling cases for pennies on the dollar. We are very selective with the cases we choose, work hard to maximize our clients' award, and aggressively prepare every single case for trial. There is no better feeling then successfully obtaining justice for our clients.

Good Georgia Lawyer Resolves Breach of Contract Consumer Business Dispute

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 17:11:05 -0500

Good Georgia Lawyer was very gratified to recently resolve a military family's business breach of contract dispute with a Fortune 500 corporation. Our client sued under the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and breach of contract. After resolving the lawsuit successfully, our client was kind enough to write us the following letter of appreciation:

"In the fast moving pace of today's events, it is natural that we sometimes fail to give timely recognition to those who contribute so much to our well being. Now that my lawsuit has ended successfully, I do not want to forego the opportunity of expressing to Williams Oinonen LLC my sincere appreciation for the overall success of my case.

Julie's professional and practical approach to getting my family a fair resolution that was in our best interest was outstanding. As my lawyer, she demonstrated exceptional professional skill, initiative, and sound judgment. Her personality reflects sincerity and cheerfulness which greatly enhanced the overall trust and confidence I have for her.

I appreciate all the time and effort Williams Oinonen LLC to my case. In the same spirit I thank Julie and Mario for representing my family in such an outstanding manner. Job well done!

R.G. Sergeant Major, FA U.S. Army, Retired."

Williams Oinonen LLC is happy to represent individuals and families all over Georgia involved in breach of contract and business disputes. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 404-654-0288 today.

Williams Oinonen LLC Sponsors GTLA Career Mixer Event At Emory Law School

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:23:50 -0500

Williams Oinonen LLC and nine other Georgia Trial Lawyers Association firms hosted a career mixer event for Emory Law students at the law school. The event was sponsored by all ten law firms, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Emory University School of Law's Litigation Society, Tort & Insurance Society, the Center for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution & the Center for Professional Development.

Ms. Julie Oinonen and Mr. Mario Williams, partners at Williams Oinonen LLC are also fellows at Emory Law School's Center for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution.

The purpose was to expose Emory Law students to the Plaintiff practice and make connections for future employment. Williams Oinonen LLC is currently open to interviewing 2012 graduates who may be interested in an Emory Law Fellowship position with their firm.

Good Georgia Education Employment Lawyer Saves Clayton County Public School Teacher's Job

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 22:29:30 -0500

Good Georgia Lawyer was pleased to save the job of a Clayton County Public School teacher who had his contract non-renewed. Fortunately, we were able to aggressively intervene and the school system rescinded the non-renewal of the teacher, placing him back into the school system and awarding him all his retroactive back pay.

Said this teacher:

"My family appreciates your hard work and dedication to the case. You have brought so much joy and dignity back to our household and professional life. You worked hard and gave it your all to bring justice to our case. As a result, many will gain because you made it okay to fight for what is right!

When we went into education, we never thought we would have a battle as this one. Yet, we grew professionally and learned quite a bit. We will always hold your name, Julie, up in our prayers and meditations because without your efforts we would be lost.

Please continue your hard work. I will always reference you to any other teacher needing legal advice and help.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!"

Good Georgia Lawyer is proud to represent Georgia educators throughout our state. We are not afraid of suing school districts and fight hard to protect the rights of teachers, administrators, parents, and students who go up against these mammoth governmental entities who pay their law firms millions of dollars to fight disputes. Williams Oinonen LLC is proud to say that we do not represent school districts---only educators and the families they teach. We are also proud to be a Georgia Association of Educators referral firm.

If you are a teacher with a problem during the school year do not wait till you get a non-renewal letter down the road. If you receive a PDP or letter of directive, the time to act is NOW rather than later to save your job and protect your interests. If you are looking for aggressive fighter on your side, contact us to insure your legal rights are protected.

Good Georgia Employment Lawyer Saves University System of Georgia Employee's Job

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:43:20 -0500

Good Georgia Lawyer was pleased to save the job of a university administrator who worked for a college within the University System of Georgia. The University System of Georgia is the third largest university system in the United States and enrolls more than 310,000 students, employs more than 40,000 faculty and staff, and the combined annual operating budgets of all 35 institutions is over $6 billion.

Our client was a university professional who had a long history of working within the university system and had been wrongfully terminated. Fortunately, Williams Oinonen LLC was able to intervene and the university system rescinded the termination, placing him back into his position.

Stated our client:

"I am writing to express my sincere thanks to Williams Oinonen LLC with the help they gave me with my employment law case. At the beginning of the process, the firm informed me of all of the legal remedies available. The firm took time to research my issue and developed a plan of action that would be acceptable. The firm communicated with the opposing party on my behalf, and they were strong advocates of my position. When communicating with the opposing party, Julie Oinonen remained firm but reasonable. Julie's knowledge of the law and strategic decisions lead to a favorable decision in my case. I cannot thank her enough."

If you have an employment matter, contact Williams Oinonen LLC. Georgia is an "at will" employment state meaning that if you have a problem at work, the time to contact an attorney is sooner rather then later, i.e. while you still have a job. Legal intervention, even if it is "behind the scenes" can assist you in keeping the job you have and protect your legal interests.