Turning Legal and Regulatory Guidance Into Local School District Practice

Austin, Texas on April 20-22, 2027

Renaissance Austin Arboretum Domain Hotel

The CASE Academy of Law and Leadership 2027 is CASE’s premier professional learning experience for special education leaders and school district attorneys. Designed for practitioners who operate at the intersection of special education, leadership, and law, the Academy brings together nationally recognized experts from both legal and educational practice to deliver high-impact, practical training.

Through a blend of legal analysis, leadership development, and policy-focused learning, participants engage with the most pressing issues shaping special education nationwide. Sessions emphasize real-world application—strengthening legal literacy, deepening compliance understanding, and building the capacity for sound, strategic decision-making in complex and evolving district environments.

Attendees will leave equipped with actionable tools and frameworks to support defensible practices, strengthen systems, and lead with clarity, confidence, and consistency. Whether you are advancing your expertise in special education law or refining your leadership approach, the Academy offers an immersive experience designed to elevate your impact across your organization and community.

Who should attend?

The target audience is administrators or leaders in public education charged with the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and school district attorneys. 

2026 Registration Rates (2027 coming soon)

Take a look at Austin here

Thoughts from the 2026 Academy

You all truly put on a great conference -- we are so happy we could participate. What a welcoming team.  

Looking forward to learning more about the opportunities for Providence.

~Holly Sears, Huddle Up Care, Inc.

Special education leadership is a balance of technical expertise and human connection. Last week's CASE, Special Education Law & Leadership conference provided invaluable guidance on improving the IEP process for staff and parents alike. 

 

Two sessions, in particular, invited special education directors to reflect on the impact of soft skills and system integrity: 

1. Nicklaus Khan, Ed.D. and Tilnisha Rosser, Ph.D., delivered a powerful session on the use of interpersonal skills to listen to and center the needs of parents throughout the IEP process. 
2. Tiffiney Smith and Julie Weatherly led an impactful session on the value of using an Educational Benefits Review process to establish and sustain relevant and impact-oriented IEPs.

When combined, both approaches can improve accountability and create the space for leaders to build (or restore) trust with parents. Curious about the content? I highly recommend connecting with Dr. Khan, Dr.l Rosser, Julie Weatherly, or Tiffiney Smith directly to learn more about their work! 

~ Mailaika Moses

 Future CASE Events

• Academy of Law and Leadership 2028: April 11-13, 2028, Anaheim, California 

CASE EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT

• Be kind and professional
• Use welcoming and inclusive language
• Be respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences

Please note photographs and footage will be taken throughout the conference. These will be used by the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, and in social media.

CASE will make reasonable efforts to seek CLE credit for eligible conference sessions in applicable jurisdictions. Because CLE requirements and approval processes vary by state, the application process requires extensive information and documentation from presenters. Presenters may be asked to provide additional information or supporting materials, and in some cases, required documentation may not be available within certain submission deadlines. Therefore, CASE cannot guarantee that CLE credit will be approved for every eligible session in every state or jurisdiction, or that CLE credit will be available for the conference as a whole.

CANCELLATION POLICY: To receive a refund (less 25% administrative cost), cancellations must be made in writing or by email no later than March 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM (central time). 

Future Opportunities for the Academy of Law and Leadership

• April 20-22, 2027, Austin, TX: Take a look at Austin here.
• April 11-13, 2028, Anaheim, CA