Sandra R. McIntosh – Scott Scriven LLP

Education

Capital University Law School, J.D., cum laude
Miami University, B.S., Business Administration

Admissions

Supreme Court of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court

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Sandra R. McIntosh

Of Counsel

Sandy is dedicated to obtaining the best results for her clients as efficiently as possible. Her practice areas include labor and employment law, special education, civil rights claims, and Title IX litigation. She has extensive experience representing school boards at arbitrations and in both state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and the Ohio Department of Education Office for Exceptional Children. She has litigated termination hearings, jury trials, and numerous due process hearings. Sandy is accessible and responsive. She prides herself on providing a high level of client service.

Primary Focus & Experience

Litigation: Represents boards of education through all phases of litigation, including employee and student discrimination and civil rights cases; constitutional claims, including equal protection; Section 1983 claims; retaliation claims; sexual harassment and Title IX claims; teacher termination and employee discharge cases; and student discipline and special education claims.
Employment Law: Defends boards of education in complaints before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state agencies; represents clients in all aspects of employment law, from managing internal complaints and investigations, day to day human resources issues, and complex litigation and arbitration.
Investigations: Provides guidance to administrators conducting investigations or directly assists with investigations into student and staff issues.
Special Education Counseling & Litigation: Defends boards of education in special education due process proceedings, administrative proceedings and in federal court. Provides proactive advice to manage special education disputes and compliance concerns.
Education General Counsel: Provides comprehensive advice and counsel to boards of education throughout the state of Ohio, including advising on public records, open meetings and board policy and governance issues, ethics and contracting advice, contract drafting and interpretation, community and media relations, litigation preparation and avoidance.
Student Matters: Provides guidance and advice on various student matters, including bullying, parent complaints, student discipline, equity and diversity issues, and student records and privacy concerns.

Awards & Recognition

Named in the 22nd (2016), 23rd (2017), 24th (2018), 26th (2020), 27th (2021), 28th(2022), 29th (2023), and 30th (2024) Editions of The Best Lawyers in America in Education Law
- Recognized as 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Education Law in Columbus, Ohio
Named an “Ohio Rising Star” in 2007 and 2009-2015 in Ohio Super Lawyers magazine
Named an “Ohio Super Lawyer” in 2016-2024 in Ohio Super Lawyers magazine
- Named on the Top 25 Women Columbus Super Lawyers List in 2019, 2020, and 2021
Recipient of the Capital University Law School Alumni Association 2013 Young Alumnus of the Year Award

Presentations & Publications

Sandy has spoken and written on the following topics:

Public sector employment law
Special education
Preventing acts of mass violence
Boardsmanship and Effective Board Governance
Sunshine law (public records and open meetings)
Booster groups
Student issues, including the Equal Access Act and Transgender issues
Legal and legislative updates
Politics in the Workplace
Investigations
Litigation
School-related insurance claims

Sandy has presented for the following organizations:

Ohio School Boards Association
Ohio Association of School Business Officials
Amicus Curiae brief author, OSBA Legal Assistance Fund
Ohio Council of Community Schools
Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Various school districts
Various insurance companies

Professional Associations & Community Involvement

Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys
Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys Special Education Roundtable
Ohio State Bar Association: past Secretary of the Education Law Committee
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Inn of Court: Past President
Columbus Collegiate Academy Main, Columbus Collegiate Academy West, and United Preparatory Academy: past Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Capital University Law Alumni Association: past President
Women Lawyers of Franklin County: past President
Columbus Bar Association: past Board of Governors member
Columbus Bar Services: past Board member
Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellow Class (2011)

You Might Not Know

Sandy enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their Golden Retriever. Sedona, Arizona is her favorite U.S. city (so far).

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