Andrée has extensive experience in the practice of civil rights rights law, particularly disability rights.  She is a former Senior Staff Attorney for Disability Rights Montana (DRM, formerly known as Montana Advocacy Program), where she practiced law for over 20 years.  Andrée was in private practice for six years before working at DRM.  She joined the Reynolds, Motl & Sherwood law firm in November 2008. Andrée has successfully represented countless individuals with disabilities to enforce their civil rights.  Issues include abuse and neglect in facilities and by service providers, guardianship and conservatorship, involuntary commitment, government services and benefits, employment discrimination, education discrimination, and discriminatory withholding or delivery of medical care, including forced sterilization and end-of-life decisions.  Her primary area of focus is special education law.  She has a long track record of successfully obtaining appropriate educational services for students with disabilities under federal and state laws, both through settlement and litigation.  Parents Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) has presented Andrée with an “Angel” award for her work representing students with disabilities to enforce their right to a free appropriate public education. Andrée has given numerous presentations on local, state and regional levels about the educational rights of students with disabilities, the rights of individuals facing involuntary commitment to an institution, and the rights of individuals to appropriate government services in the least restrictive environment.  Although strides have been made, there is still a long way to go to fully include persons with disabilities as equal citizens. Andrée currently serves on the Board of Directors for Grandstreet Theatre in Helena.

Practice Area:

Abuse and Neglect of persons with disabilities
Constitutional Law
Civil Rights and Discrimination
Disability Rights and Services
Guardianship & Conservatorship
Personal Injury
Special Education Law          

Education

University of Southwestern Louisiana, B.A., 1978
University of Tennessee School of Law, J.D., 1982

Admitted:

State of Montana, 1983
U.S. District Court, District of Montana
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court
Salish and Kootenai Tribal Court

Member:

State Bar of Montana
Montana Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA)
Council for Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA)
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
TASH (formerly known as Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps)

Selected Cases :

Civil Rights & Disability Rights

In the Matter of T.P., 2008 MT 266, 190 P.3d 313.

In the Matter of G.M., 2008 MT 200, 186 P.3d 229.

In the Matter of T.W., 2005 MT 340, 126 P.3d 491.

Travis D. et. al. v. Eastmont Human Services Center, et. al., Cause No. CV-96-63-H-CSO, United States Court, District of Montana [Settlement Agreement February 5, 2004]. (Class Action for community-based developmental disabilities services).

Guardianship & Conservatorship

Redies v. Cosner, 2002 MT 86, 48 P.3d 697.

Special Education

N.B. and C.B. v. Hellgate Elementary School District, 541 F.d 1202 (9th Cir. 2008).

W.G. and B.G. v. Board of Trustees of Target Range School District No. 23, 960 F.2d. 1479 (9th Cir. 1992).

In the Matter of [the Student], OSPI Cause No. 2006-06, www.opi.mt.gov

In the Matter of [the Student], OSPI Cause No. 92-01 (available from OPI, 406 444-4402).

In the Matter of [the Student], OSPI Cause No. 90-05 (available from OPI, 406 444-4402).

In the Matter of [the Student], OSPI Cause No. 90-04 (available from OPI, 406 444-4402).

In the Matter of [the Student], OSPI Cause No. 89-02 (available from OPI, 406 444-4402).

V.H. and J.H. v. Bd. of Trustees, Kalispell School District No. 5, Cause No. CV 93-80-M-CCL, United States Court, District of Montana [Granting injunction to enforce administrative decision reached in OSPI No. 93-01].