Tueth Keeney is proud of its commitment to advising and educating of school administrators on the complex and ever-changing legal issues facing public schools. Attorneys from Tueth Keeney often contribute their time and talents on a voluntary basis to educate and inform their clients and friends of the firm.  Recently, Tueth Keeney shareholder Merry Rhoades was a panelist at the Administrator Roundtable and Legal "Hot Topics" session at the Regional Office of Education No. 2 Institute, held October 9, 2009 at Shawnee College.

During her presentation, Merry focused on "Looking Ahead - How this Past Year Will Affect the School Administrator in Years to Come."  Her remarks featured guidance and insight into the legal and practical effects of recent changes in statues and case law.  The Regional Office of Education No. 2 provides support services to 19 public school districts in Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties in Illinois. For more information regarding the Regional Office of Education No. 2 and its programs, visit its official website here.

Merry C. Rhoades focuses her practice on general counsel services with an emphasis on special education law and student-related issues, school district reorganization matters and tax and finance matters. Because of her more than 20 years experience in representing Illinois public school districts, she has key insights regarding the day-to-day operation of the school district. She has extensive experience in special education administrative hearings, civil rights litigation, state and federal court litigation at the trial and appellate levels, and state administrative hearings.

Merry is an active member of several school related organizations. She is a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys Executive Committee and currently serves as its 1st Vice Chairperson and she is a service member to the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). She serves as an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) PRESS advisory committee member.  Merry has been asked to speak for such organizations as the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE), the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the Illinois Principal's Association (IPA) and the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) on numerous school related issues.

Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt P.C. is proud to be one of down-state Illinois' largest Illinois education law practices. The firm has one of the most experienced groups of attorneys in Central and Southern Illinois dedicated to serving public schools. We regularly represent nearly 150 public school districts in the bi-state area, including many districts in Central and Southern Illinois. Our Firm is also regularly appointed by insurers of educational institutions to represent districts in complex or difficult cases involving school or civil rights laws.