Suite 3400
Chicago IL 60606
TEL: 312.786.6569
FAX: 312.986.9192
Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., John Marshall Law School, 1992
- B.A., magna cum laude, Mundelein College, 1989
Bar & Court Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois - Member, Trial Bar
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Darcy L. Kriha
Darcy represents public school districts and special education cooperatives throughout Illinois. In addition to overall school board representation, Darcy has extensive experience handling special education and high-profile student discipline matters.
Darcy is a member of the Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE); the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC); the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA); the National School Board Association (NSBA); the Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) and its Eamon Shannon Special Education Program Planning Committee; the Illinois Council of School Attorneys (ICSA); the Education Law Association (ELA); the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).
In July 2006, Darcy was selected by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of Illinois’ “40 Under 40 Attorneys to Watch.” She was recognized for her unique and exceptional lawyering skills in the field of education law and her commitment to the profession, including extensive volunteer work.
Darcy volunteers at La Grange School District 102 and Lyons Township High School District 204 (where her four children attend school). She is a member of District 102’s Strategic Planning Committee, Grades 6-7-8 Task Force and is a founding member of District 102’s educational foundation.
Representative Experience click to view
- Serves as lead counsel for a number of the largest school districts in Illinois, including Township High School District 214 (Arlington Heights), Community Unit School District 300 (Carpentersville), Community Consolidated School District 54 (Schaumburg) and Crystal Lake School District 47.
- Served as Counsel of Record before the U.S. Supreme Court for Amici Curiae in Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy, 548 U.S. 291 (2006). The U.S. Supreme Court held in favor of the School District, holding that parents who prevail in special education disputes are not entitled to expert witness fees. Amici Curiae included the NSBA, the American Association of School Administrators, the New York State School Boards Association and the New York State Council of School Superintendents in support of the Arlington Central Board of Education.
- Presented oral arguments in two precedent-setting special education cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, both of which were decided in favor of the school districts: T.D. v. LaGrange School District No. 102, 222 F.Supp.2d 1062 (N.D. Ill. 2002); aff’d. 349 F.3d 469 (7th Cir. 2003); and Beth B. v. Lake Bluff School District 65, 211 F.Supp.2d 1020 (N.D. Ill. 2001); aff’d. 282 F.3d 493 (7th Cir. 2002).
News
- Feature Spotlight on ELA Member: Darcy L. Kriha
- Darcy Kriha Publishes Article on Allergies in Schools for the Education Law Association
- 25 Franczek Radelet Attorneys Named in Law & Politic's Illinois Super Lawyers
- Attorneys Darcy Kriha and Jennifer Smith Make Headlines With "The New Section 504" Seminar
Publications
- Seventh Circuit Rules Wrong Standard Used to Determine Eligibility of Special Education Services Under the IDEA
- Illinois State Board of Education Updates Food Allergy Guidelines
- Franczek Radelet Works With School District and Legislature to Pass Bill on Instructional Mandates
- View All »
Events
- Settle or Fight? Knowing When to Hold ’Em or Fold ’Em
- Social Media Policies for School Districts
- The New Section 504 Part I and Part II: What School Business Officials Need to Know
- LRP’s 31st National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities
- Bullying and Special Education Compliance Issues
- View All »