Areas of Practice:
Education Law
Special Education Law
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Virtual Instruction for Students with Disabilities
Consulting and Training

Bar and Court Admissions:
Missouri
Kansas
United States District Court, Western District of Missouri
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
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About Betsey

Betsey has dedicated her professional career to education law. Betsey has successfully represented school district clients against a variety of claims in state and federal courts, as well as special education due process hearings and appeals, including the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Betsey is a recognized leader in special education law, providing general counsel, litigation defense, and consulting for schools in all areas of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Betsey also serves as an independent hearing officer under Section 504, assists schools with the drafting and implementation of Section 504 policies and procedures, and hosts numerous workshops regarding Section 504 for school personnel.

Betsey frequently presents nationally and locally in all areas of education law.  In 2022, Betsey presented at the Council of Administrators of Special Education Annual Conference,  LRP’s 43^rd Annual National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities, the 39^th Annual Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education & the Law, the Tri-State Regional Special Education Law Conference, Missouri’s Council of Administrators of Special Education Annual Conference, the Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation Conference, and numerous professional development trainings across Missouri.

In spring 2019 and fall 2021, Betsey gave the keynote address at the Transporting Students with Disabilities Conference in Frisco, Texas. Betsey is a regular presenter at LRP’s National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities and the National Business Institute. In 2012, Betsey was invited to speak at the National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys seminar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, regarding the Children’s Internet Protection Act.. In 2016, Betsey spoke at the National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys seminar in Portland, Oregon, regarding student mental health and student suicide. Betsey also served on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s workgroup regarding youth suicide prevention and awareness.

Betsey also specializes in virtual instruction and the impact on special education students.  Betsey recently authored, Virtual Instruction for Students with Disabilities: Meeting IDEA and Section 504 Mandates by LRP publications.  In April 2020, she conducted a webinar regarding Virtual Instruction During the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Legal Aspects for Special Education Students to guide schools and other school attorneys during unprecedented times. Betsey presented on this topic at LRP’s Annual Special Education School Attorneys Conference in 2020 and 2021 and spoke at the 40th Annual National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities regarding the Legal Aspects of Blended, Virtual Instruction in May 2019.

In July 2014, Betsey was honored by Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly as a recipient of the Up & Coming Award. This award recognized Missouri attorneys age 40 and younger who demonstrate professional accomplishment, skill, and leadership and demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the community through their volunteer service and leadership.

Betsey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 2006 and in the same year was selected as a Tierra Farrow Outstanding Woman Law Student.

From 2015-2020, Betsey was recognized as a Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star.