Kathy Stump is part of Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr’s education group, where she represents public school systems throughout Maryland on education law matters. She advises on the formulation and drafting of school policies, provides employee training, and represents boards of education in conflict resolution and litigation.

Mrs. Stump specializes in matters involving special education law, bringing 13 years of state and school-system-based special education compliance experience to handling cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other state and federal disability laws. She concentrates her litigation practice in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts, counseling school systems through the dispute resolution process, mediation, due process hearings, and judicial appeals. She also attends IEP meetings and advises schools on compliance with state and federal law.

Prior to joining Carney, Kelehan, Mrs. Stump led the Office of Nonpublic Services and Special Education Compliance for the Howard County Public School System, where she facilitated due process and mediation, conducted investigations, represented schools, developed policies, ensured compliance with the state, provided legal guidance, and supported counsel for the school system.

Mrs. Stump was also an education specialist in Baltimore City Public School’s Office of IEP Development and Implementation where she supported schools in developing individualized education plans for students. She was also a state complaint investigator with the Division of Early Learning Services and Special Education at the Maryland State Department of Education.

Mrs. Stump is licensed in Maryland and in the United States District Court for Maryland. She is also a licensed special education teacher, secondary English teacher, and school administrator.

Before earning her law degree from the University of Maryland, Mrs. Stump taught high school English for nine years in public schools in Maryland. Mrs. Stump earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from High Point University and her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Loyola. Mrs. Stump is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Council of Administrators of Special Education, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the American Federation of School Administrators.