Suite 3400
Chicago IL 60606
TEL: 312.786.6160
FAX: 312.986.9192
Practice Areas
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Northwestern University School of Law, 1972 (Order of the Coif)
- B.A., with highest distinction, Northwestern University, 1968, Phi Beta Kappa (history)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – Trial Bar
- U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
John A. Relias
John represents elementary and secondary school districts and governing boards throughout Illinois. John concentrates on special education law and several of his cases have been precedent-setting. He has also counseled and litigated on matters of student rights, student suspensions and expulsions, search and seizure, school funding, employment and building construction.
Prior to forming the firm, John practiced law for 22 years at Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, beginning in 1972.
John is recognized in Who’s Who in America. He is a member of the Illinois and National Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys. John is a past president of Wilmette School District No. 39, and served on that Board for 16 years (1989–1997, 2001–2009).
John serves on the board of directors for the Northwestern University Settlement Association, a nonprofit founded to provide resources that empower its West Town neighbors to take personal responsibility for overcoming the obstacles of poverty and improving the quality of their lives. The Settlement operates more than 70 programs and services, serving approximately 8,000 low-income neighbors each year.
John was recognized in Illinois Super Lawyers from 2009–2011.
Representative Experience click to view
- Argued precedent setting case, Dale M. v. Board of Education, 237 F.3d (7th Cir. 2001), which determined that public school districts were not responsible to fund residential placements when determination of placement included non-educational factors
- Served as counsel to the school district in Patricia P. v. Board of Education, 203 F.3d 402, which set the standard across the country in regards to residential placement, the court found that if a parent does not cooperate in the initial evaluation process and meetings regarding residential placement the parent forfeits their rights for reimbursement for the placement costs
News
Publications
- After School Hours IEP Meeting Not Required for Illinois School District
- AFT Makes Recommendations for School Infrastructure Improvements