Lynn Rossi Scott

J.D. University of Texas School of Law, 1985

M.S. University of Houston, 1980, cum laude

B.A. Texas A&M University, 1977, magna cum laude

A.A. Alvin Community College, 1975, summa cum laude

State of Texas, 1985

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award, State Bar of Texas, School Law Section 2023.

President, Education Law Association (2017), 2019 Marion A.  McGhehey Award recipient

Chair, Texas Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys (2012-2013)

Chair, School Law Section, State Bar of Texas (2003-2004)

Co-Chair, State Bar of Texas Council of Chairs (2004-2005)

Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review

The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White for Education Law (2009-2023)

Extraordinary Women in Texas Law, Texas Lawyer (2008)

Super Lawyer in Schools and Education Law by Thomson Reuters, Texas Monthly (2004, 2006-2023)

Jane Doe Lago Vista et.al. v. Lago Vista ISD, et. al., Civil No. 1:21-CV-862-LY in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.

Successfully obtained an agreed dismissal of claims against client school districts related to use of masks during the COVID pandemic. September 12, 2022.

Turner v. Mansfield ISD; Dkt No. 005-R10-10-2021, Before the Texas Commissioner of Education, July 29, 2022.

Successfully defended the District against a teacher’s claim for assault leave after recovery from an assault.

Parent A/N/F Student v. HEB ISD; Dkt No. 005-R10-10-2019 Before the Texas Commissioner of Education, March 10, 2020.

Successfully defended the District and obtained a dismissal on jurisdictional grounds related to a student discipline matter.

Bushman v. HEB ISD; Dkt No. 010-R10-10-2019, May 1, 2020, and Bushman v. HEB ISD; Dkt No. 041-R10-08-2019, January 27, 2020, Before the Texas Commissioner of Education. 

Successfully defended the District in two appeals stemming from a teacher nonrenewal and the teacher’s grievance regarding administrator conduct.

Lawson v. Lake Worth ISD, Dkt. No. 025-R10-1003, Before the Texas Commissioner of Education, April 30, 2015.

Successfully obtained a dismissal for lack of jurisdiction related to a District’s termination of an employee’s position due to a reduction in force.

Young v. Midlothian ISD, No. 3-11-CV-0123-BD (N.D. Tex. 2012)

Successfully defended school district in litigation alleging discriminatory termination of employment based on race, national origin, sex, and sexual orientation.  Obtained summary judgment on all claims.

Moore v. Duncanville ISD, 358 Fed. Appx. 515 (5th Cir. 2009)

Successfully defended school district in an employment matter alleging discriminatory discharge from employment.

Nassar v. Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Tex. Commissioner of Education, No. 069-R2-404 (2008)

Obtained dismissal on jurisdictional grounds related to teacher’s mid-contract termination.

Rodgers v. Dallas ISD, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 40682 (N.D. Tex. 2007)

Successfully obtained dismissal of parent’s claims against school district related to his son’s request for enrollment in a specific school and treatment of his son at school.

Gier v. Lake Worth ISD, Commissioner of Education, No. 084-R10-7031 (2006)

Obtained judgment affirming District’s right to terminate probationary contract of employee’s employment for poor job performance after the conclusion of assault leave.

Hernandez v. Duncanville ISD, No. 3:04-CV-2028-BH (N.D. Tex. 2005)

Successfully obtained summary judgment dismissing claims against a school district, in which a former employee alleged that his contract termination was in retaliation for speaking on matters of public concern.

Rodgers v. Duncanville ISD, 2005 WL 955026 (N.D. Tex. 2005)

Successfully defended school district in parent’s lawsuit resulting from the district’s decision to remove a disruptive parent from campus.  Obtained dismissal of all federal discrimination and retaliation claims.

Andrew S. v. Dallas ISD, 2004 WL 2997477 (N.D. Tex. 2004)

Successfully defended school district in a lawsuit resulting from discipline due to a male student’s inappropriate internet access at school.  Obtained a dismissal of all claims.

Rosencranz v. Altschuler & Texans Can, 161 S.W. 3d 517 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2004)

Successfully defended charter school in multi-party litigation that resulted in affirmation of a grant of immunity for a charter school and its employees.

 Garrett v. Dallas Independent School District; 3:02-CV-1015-L (N.D. Tex. 2002)

Obtained denial of Temporary Restraining Order against school district related to student’s request to participate in graduation without completing graduation requirements.

Carter-Thomas v. Dallas ISD, No. 3:02-CV-1853-P (N.D. Tex. 2003)

Obtained dismissal of special education complaint against a school district.

Sportec International, Inc. v. Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, No. 02-89-00188-CV (1991)

Obtained judgment in favor of school district related to the district’s selection of artificial turf at football stadium.

Sun, Jeffrey C. and Rossi Scott, L. “Understanding Campus Obligations for Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment,” Legal Links, Education Law Association, NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (2014)

“Evaluations,” Chapter in The Principal’s Handbook of Current Issues in School Law (2013 and 2017, 2023)

“Students and Social Networking,” Texas Bar Journal (2011)

Rossi Scott, L. and Bubert, J. “Legal Issues Related to School Nursing Practice: The Foundation,” School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (2010)

“Legal Developments in School Law,” Texas Bar Journal (2003)

“Of Sausages and Laws: What You May Not Remember or May Have Never Known from the 1999 Legislative Session,” State Bar of Texas School Law Section Report (2000)

“Education Law,” SMU Law Review (2000)

“Statutory Parental Rights Afforded Parents In Dealing With School Districts,” Dallas Bar Association Headnotes (October 1998)

“The Legal Implications When Students Request Transfers,” Texas Bar Association School Law Section Newsletter (July 1996)

“Taking the Teeth Out of the Nepotism Statute — It’s Losing Its Bite,” Texas School Administrators’ Legal Digest (May 1989)

“Copyright,” The Principal’s Handbook: Current Issues in School Law (1993)

“Income Tax Deductions for School Board Trustees,” Texas Association of School Boards (1987)

“When is an Employee’s Speech Constitutionally Protected?” Texas School Administrators’ Legal Digest (March 1987)

“Income Tax Deductions – Employee Business Expenses,” Texas State Property Tax Board Statement (April 1985)

Documentation for Administrators

Technology issues:  Cyberbullying, Social Media and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Post Legislative Update 2023

Legal Ethics for School Attorneys: Board Member Misconduct, NSBA COSA Webinar

Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments, Region XI and UNT Higher Education Law Conference

Avoiding Discriminatory Discipline, UT School Law Conference, NSBA Annual Conference, and ELA Fort Worth Conference

Avoiding Unlawful Race Discrimination, Public School In-Service Training

Critical Steps to a Successful School Construction Project, Texas Association of School Business Officials Annual Conference, NSBA/COSA Annual Conference

Documentation of Employee Discipline, School District In-Service Training, Region 11 Superintendent’s Academy, ELA

Employee and Student Misconduct Issues Related to Technology, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Texas Association of Elementary School Principals, UT School Law Conference, TASB Council of School Attorneys, Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, Texas Higher Education Law Conference, Education Law Association, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, Public School and Charter School In-service Training.

Enrollment Contracts in Private, Religious and Independent Schools, ELA Fort Worth Conference

Evaluations and Transfers of Administrators, UT School Law Conference

Ethical Issues related to Board Member Misconduct, Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys, National School Board Association Council of School Attorneys, and Education Law Association

Fair and Effective Documentation, Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, School District In-Service Trainings

How Social Media is Impacting the Law Related to College Students, Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators

Implementing a Meaningful Grievance Process, Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators, Region XI Educational Service Center

Keeping Schools Safe When Parents Are the Problem, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Administrators

Law School for Educational Administrative Assistants, Region 11

Legal Ethics for School Attorneys, Board Member Criminal Conduct, National School Board Association, ELA

Legal Issues Affecting Troubled Students, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest

Legal Update on Court Cases in Higher Education, UNT Higher Education Law Conference

Legal Issues for Educational Foundations, Texas School Public Relations Association, Board2Board, National Organization for Educational Foundations

Office for Civil Rights Investigations: From the Inside and the Outside, for TASB Council of School Attorneys, UNT Higher Education Law Conference, ELA Fort Worth Conference

Open Meetings Act, Training for School Board Members, Region 11

Professionalism, Texas A&M Black Law Students Association, Public School In-Service Training

Responding To The EEOC’s Guidance On Criminal Background Checks, Texas Charter Schools Association, National School Board Association, Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys

Responding to the U.S. Department of Education’s Guidance on Sexual Violence, UNT Higher Education Law Conference

School Board Governance, Training for School Board Members

School Construction Contracts, Texas Association of Community College Attorneys, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Business Officials, National School Board Association

School Security & Safety Issues After Virginia Tech, Texas Higher Education Law Conference, Education Law Association

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Public School In-Service Training for Staff

Sexual Harassment of Students or Employees, Education Law Association, UNT Higher Education Law Conference, College and Public School In-Service Training for Staff, LSU Higher Ed Law Conference

Student Bullying Issues, Education Law Association, UNT Higher Ed Law Conference, UT School Law Conference, Region 11

Student Discipline Training, Public School In-Service Training for Administrators and Staff, Region 11 Educational Service Center

Student Free Speech Rights, Education Law Association, Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys

Student Technology Issues, Fort Worth Country Day School, Tarleton State University, Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, University of Texas at Arlington

Understanding Sexual Harassment, Strategies To Prevent Sexual Harassment, And Investigation Strategies, Education Law Association, Texas School Administrators Legal Digest Conference

Sexual Harassment in the K-12 Environment, Education Law Association

Understanding Campus Obligations for Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment, NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Waivers and Indemnifications for Private, Religious, and Independent Schools, ELA Fort Worth Conference

Director, Uplift Education Advisory Board, Summit Arlington (2008-2015)

Director, Gladney Center for Adoption (1995-2003 and 2004-2012)

Director, Alvin ISD Education Foundation Advisory Board

Director, Arlington Chamber of Commerce (1993-1996)

Chair, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Education Committee (1993-1996)

Director, Theatre Arlington Board (2019-present); President (2024 – 2025)