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.
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!!!”
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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:
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.
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:
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.
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 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!
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:
Mario Williams, attorney at Williams Oinonen LLC had one of his civil rights cases recently featured in a news article written by John Rudolf of the Huffington Post.
Mr. Williams represents Terrence Dean, a plaintiff who was subjected to brutal torture and abuse that left him in a coma and disabled in violation of his constitutional civil rights.
Mr. Mario Williams is a human rights attorney and partner at Williams Oinonen LLC. He regularly handles various types of Civil Rights cases under the federal statute 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.
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