Kathy Stump

Ms. Stump brings more than legal experience to her education law practice. Her work as a former teacher, state complaint investigator, special education administrator, and litigator gives her a practical understanding of school disputes from the inside out — from classroom realities and administrative decision-making to investigative records, hearing preparation, and litigation strategy. That perspective allows her to help clients navigate disputes not just as legal claims, but as school-based problems with operational, factual, and human dimensions.

In her work at CarneyKelehan, LLP, Ms. Stump represents Maryland public school systems in education, civil-rights, and employment matters, including special education disputes, student discipline, Board appeals, administrative proceedings, policy development, mediation, and litigation. She also advises school systems on compliance issues arising under the IDEA, Title VI, Title VII, Section 504, the ADA, and related laws, and has represented parties in higher-education Title IX matters. Across these matters, Ms. Stump brings a steady and practical approach to fact-heavy disputes, including sensitive investigations, witness preparation, evidence analysis, policy development, training, and strategic counseling in situations where legal risk, public trust, and human concerns often intersect. She helps clients identify what matters, understand the risks, and move forward with clarity and sound judgment.

Before joining the firm, Ms. Stump held several roles inside Maryland public education systems that now inform her litigation and counseling practice. She led nonpublic services and special education compliance for the Howard County Public School System, served as a special education compliance specialist in Baltimore City Public Schools, and investigated statewide special education complaints for the Maryland State Department of Education. That experience gives her firsthand insight into how legal requirements are carried out in school settings and how careful documentation, sound process, and clear communication can affect the outcome of a matter.

Ms. Stump also spent nine years teaching English in Maryland public schools and correctional education before becoming an attorney. That classroom experience continues to shape the way she works with clients, witnesses, and school-based teams: with clarity, patience, and a practical understanding of the people and institutions at the center of education disputes.