Donna Rascoe

Donna Rascoe is Of Counsel in the firm’s Raleigh office where she focuses her practice in the area of education law. A former teacher and school administrator, Donna advises and litigates on behalf of public and private schools in a variety of legal matters. She also handles employment and other civil litigation matters for school districts and other public entities.

Representative Matters

Cases or matters referenced do not represent the lawyer’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.

• Obtained dismissal for a school superintendent in a federal lawsuit alleging constitutional violations related to the termination of a school resource officer
• Obtained dismissals for teachers accused of negligent supervision of students and improper discipline of students
• Defended a multimillion-dollar premises liability claim involving alleged injury to a disabled child
• Obtained summary judgment for a housing authority in claims by plaintiff that they suffered physical, cognitive, and emotional deficits as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide

Articles, Presentations, and Publications

• Co-author, “Religion in the Schools,” Litigation Forum Newsletter (January 2007)
• “Religious Challenges to School Facilities Use Policies,” North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section Newsletter (June 2001)
• “Special Education,” Principals’ Executive Program Fall Law Update (1999-2001, 2003)
• “Educating Students with Disabilities,” NC School Boards Association – School Law Academy (March 2009)
• “Demystify the Role of the Child Care Commission and the General Assembly,” NC Licensed Child Care Association (October 2008)
• “Liability for Educators,” Law Institute for Teachers sponsored by the NC Bar Association (August 2008)
• Panel Member, “Stimulant Medications and ADHD: Implications for Educational and Clinical Practice,” June Lyday Orton Memorial Lecture and Symposium, Wake Forest University School of Medicine (2006)
• “Special Education Law for School Administrators,” Randolph County Schools (June 2006)
• “The New and Improved IDEA,” North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Central Region Administrators (February 2006)
• “Special Education Law,” Catawba County Schools (December 2005)
• “Special Education Seminar,” Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (November 2004)
• “Special Education and Disability Law,” Principals’ Executive Program, Center for School Leadership Development, University of North Carolina (April 2004)
• “Student Admissions and Student Records,” Principals’ Executive Program (April 2003)
• “School Records: Contents, Access, and Use in Litigation,” CSH Seminar (November 2002)
• “Hot Topics in North Carolina School Law, Recent Case Law Update,” Lorman Education Services (November 2002)
• “Special Education,” Hoke County Schools Leadership Conference (June 2002)
• “Special Education,” Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (October 2001)
• “Student Discipline,” Martin County Schools (October 2001)
• “Access to Federally Protected Records,” North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Staff Training (October 2000)
• “Religion and Sex in Schools,” North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section Meeting (May 2000)