Where are they now?

Name:

Mark Blois

Position then (1996):

Trainee Solicitor

Position now (2007):

Partner and head of the firm's education team

Mark began his career after qualifying as an Assistant Solicitor, defending education related claims brought against local authorities and their insurers.

"I qualified at a time when a new front of litigation against Local Authorities was opening up in the form of 'failure to educate' and school bullying claims. I was fortunate to work with a partner who charged me with leading the development of the firm's expertise in this new and exciting area. He gave me a lot of headroom and I learnt a lot quickly – often by making my own mistakes!"

Mark became a partner within eight years of qualifying and went on to become head of the firm's now cross-departmental education team.

"I thoroughly enjoy my work. The law that applies to education sector clients is dynamic and complex and the challenges of leading the development of the firm's practice in this area are invigorating. Furthermore working in partnership with schools, local authorities and colleges to meet their legal needs can be very satisfying"

Fact file:

Mark is an expert in education law and his experience includes:

• Defending compensation claims relating to educational provision, school bullying and other 'failure to educate' claims
• Defending claims relating to special educational needs (SEN) provision at the special educational needs and disability tribunal (SENDIST)
• Advising on disclosure following requests for information under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information Act 2000
• Drafting of policy documentation for schools and Local Authorities
• Dealing with race and disability discrimination challenges
• Representing schools before Independent Appeal Panels considering exclusions
• Advising on School Admissions Appeals.
• Defending 'Stress at work' claims involving education professionals.
• Delivery of training for head teachers, and other specialist educational professionals

Mark regularly speaks at national conferences and has also been widely published having contributed articles and opinion to a wide range of journals including Education Law Update, ChildRight, The Times Educational Supplement, Education Journal, Secondary Education, Local Government Chronicle, Insurance Times, Public Servant and Managing Schools Today.

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