Meet the School Law team at CCHA

CCHA is proud to work alongside several school boards and employers in Indiana and across the country. Learn more about the experienced CCHA School law team, who is ready to assist you with any and all legal matters associated with school and education law.

Andrew Manna - Andrew joined CCHA in August 2009. He represents clients in matters associated with labor and employment law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other matters. He engages in the defense of school corporations against claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), First Amendment and other constitutional and civil rights law matters. He also represents schools with respect to general school policy review.

Amy Matthews - Amy joined CCHA in April 2021. She represents schools and other educational entities in various matters such as bargaining/labor relations, human resources, policy analysis, fiscal management, and special education. Aside from her school law practice, she provides mediation services for both civil and family law cases, and has been trained by the CIACP in Collaborative Practice.

Jessica Billingsley - Jessica joined CCHA in September 2014. Her primary practice areas are employment law and education law. As part of the CCHA School Law team, she helps schools around the state with the ever evolving legal landscapes of law, policy, and practical matters. She enjoys the variety of issues that always seem to pop up in the world of education.

Chandler A. Lawson Flynn - Chandler joined CCHA in August 2020. She concentrates her practice in the firm’s School and Education law group. As an enthusiastic, assertive, and service-minded individual, Chandler has a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from inception to disposition, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions that best serve her clients.

Jon Becker - Jon joined CCHA in January 2017. He represents clients in matters associated with construction projects, retirement, health, and other employee benefit plans, labor and employment law, compliance and regulatory affairs, homeowners associations, nonprofit organization, tax matters, government bonds, and other business organizations. He also consults in areas such as ERISA, PPACA, HIPAA, human resources, and nonprofit and exempt organizations.

Amy Steketee Fox - Amy joined CCHA in July 2018. She devotes a significant portion of her practice to assisting schools, colleges and universities navigate an increasingly complex legal environment in order to promote their institutional goals, while ensuring compliance and mitigating exposure. Amy advises on a variety of legal matters including student disability issues, employment matters and labor negotiations, public access laws, FERPA and other records requirements, policy review, Title IX and other civil rights laws, and student discipline.

Jessica Heiser - Jessica joined CCHA in January 2013. She primarily dedicates her legal practice to education and schools. As a partner in the firm’s School Law Practice, she represents K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and childcare centers at the public, charter, and private level. Jessica advises clients on education and employment law matters, including: constitutional and civil rights laws, special education and disability laws, keeping schools safe, school board policies, family law, and immigration law.

Shyann Boyer - Shyann joined CCHA in September 2020. She was first acquainted with CCHA when she participated in the firm’s summer clerkship program after her first year of law school. Now, she practices as an associate attorney in the Noblesville office with her primary practice area in education law. As part of the firm’s School Law team, she advises school districts around the state on matters regarding law and policy, including constitutional and civil rights allegations and special education issues under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Betsy Barnes - Betsy joined CCHA in September 2013. As part of her representation of schools, her practice includes litigating matters before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies. Those matters include EEOC related matters, OCR complaints, special education related matters, and employment discrimination litigation. Betsy also provides consultation on day to day matters to her clients on matters such as restraint and seclusion, student discipline, employee discipline, and requests for sick and FMLA leave. Betsy further counsels clients in a variety of contractual matters including construction contracts. In addition to her representation of her clients, Betsy is a frequent presenter for educational organizations such as the Indiana School Boards Association and Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education.

Kevin Vanderground - Kevin joined CCHA in July 2014. He primarily dedicates his legal practice to Business Services, Mediation and Real Estate. He has represented organizations and individuals in civil litigation and provided general counsel services. His clients include biotechnology companies, real estate developers, retailers, tax-exempt organizations and financial institutions. Kevin has also negotiated and executed multi-million dollar real estate transactions and countless other contracts. He has been lead counsel on over 500 personal injury, products liability, premises liability, civil rights, commercial litigation and consumer finance matters.

Who We Are + What We Do

CCHA proudly represents school boards + employers throughout the state of Indiana and across the country. As schools are held under close scrutiny, it’s crucial they adhere to state and federal laws - that’s what CCHA is here for. Our firm helps ensure that school districts comply with all applicable rules and regulations.

Along with such scrutiny often comes the need to defend decisions made by school boards and administrators working in the scope of their employment. It’s crucial to hire an experienced school law firm that is knowledgeable and capable of helping you achieve your goals. At CCHA, we are involved in daily school corporation decisions that impact a wide range of legal issues.

CCHA attorneys act as general, special and litigation counsel for school districts, representing them in disputes and counseling them about the best course of action for resolving conflicts quickly. We also have extensive experience in related legal areas such as real estate law, employment disputes, and beyond. If and when a matter turns into litigation, we have an experienced team of trial attorneys ready to assist, as well.

Contact the School + Education Law Attorneys at CCHA

If you have a school or education law challenge, contact CCHA today, for expertise you can rely on.