Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.
Posts by Perry Craft
Don’t Lie to Your Lawyer
Many people ask this question: Why should you tell your lawyer the truth? You should tell your lawyer the truth for many reasons. One: Your lawyer has your best interests in mind. Friends and family members may side with you throughout your life; however, in your legal case, your lawyer is your greatest ally. Two:…
Read MoreManifestation Determination Hearings for IEPs
Not all children are the same. Some children do well and behave well; other children struggle with learning and may act out. Some children, who act out or misbehave, may not have ill intentions; they may have disabilities. Bad behavior doesn’t mean disability automatically; whether the bad behavior is a manifestation of a child’s disability…
Read MoreNine Legal Considerations for Startups
Starting a new business venture is exciting and challenging. While you may focus on developing your product or service and building your customer base, remember the various legal aspects of launching and operating your startup. Failing to put the right processes and structures in place today can lead to setbacks and headaches down the road.…
Read MoreLaws Affecting the 2023-2024 Tennessee School Year
Several laws passed by the Tennessee General Assembly affect students in this school year. Here is a brief overview of them. Assistance for deaf students HB0435/SB0004 created a “deaf mentor and parent advisor program to assist families in implementing bilingual and bicultural home-based programming for children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind.” The…
Read MoreWhen Due Process Fails: Filing a Lawsuit on Behalf of a Student with Special Needs
Federal law requires students with special needs or disabilities to have an Individual Education Plan (IEP). An IEP that in theory is created by a team from the school and parents to set forth the educational supports and services to help your child reach his or her learning potential. In reality, the process may be…
Read MoreDo I Really Need a Lawyer if I Run a Small Business Out of My Home?
Many people who are starting or running a small business out of their homes may not think that it is important to hire a business lawyer. They may believe that lawyers are too expensive or that they will handle their legal situations as they arise. The reality is if you are prepared ahead of time,…
Read MorePerry Craft Wins First Amendment Parent’s Free Speech Case against School Officials
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution expressly gives citizens and parents fundamental rights: free speech, freedom of religion, freedom the press, freedom to peaceably assemble and to petition government for redress. Sometimes, however, schools try to silence or limit a parent’s free speech rights. Trouble arises when, typically, a parent voices his or…
Read MoreFour Key Ways an Attorney Can Help Your Small Business
Every business, regardless of size, needs an attorney. Large corporations typically have legal counsel on staff full time. In fact, they may have an entire legal department whose job it is to protect the company from any potential liability. While it may seem as though a small business would not need this kind of assistance,…
Read MoreDiscipline Against Teachers in Tennessee
The State has broad authority to regulate teachers and the teaching profession. In order to teach, a teacher must obtain a license from the State Board of Education in Tennessee or a similar agency in other states where the teacher holds a license or is teaching. The State Board of Education may suspend, revoke, or…
Read MoreHow to Ensure Your Child’s Needs Are Understood by an SRO
SROs. IEPs. If you have a child in the public school system, you are probably familiar with both abbreviations. If your child is a student with special needs, you likely know better than most how important it is that school resource officers (SROs) are aware of and understand individual education programs (IEPs). For instance, if…
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