Tueth Keeney attorney, Laura Hemmer published a legal article in the September-October 2008 issue of The Illinois School Board Journal.  Her article titled “MySpace, SchoolSpace: Is Your Computer Safe?” examines the threats created by social networking websites within the context of the school system. Laura looks at online bullying and the potential harm it can cause in the school setting, balancing student’s 1st Amendment rights with the safety of students, and the steps that school boards can take to minimize potential problems, including a development of a solid AUP (Acceptable Usage Policy), curriculum including Internet Safety, and using their extracurricular code of conduct to regulate internet usage. This article proves extremely timely in light of recent news stories involving school age students being victims of online predators and cyberbullying.

Laura E. Hemmer practices primarily in the area of education law. She represents public entities with respect to employment and termination matters, special education issues, student discipline and student rights, civil rights and church/state issues. During law school, Laura served as a legal intern with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

Tueth Keeney is proud to be one of the state's 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, 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.