Isabel B. Ekman

Attorney

Isabel B. Ekman

Attorney

Phone: 207.253.0540 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: iekman@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Megan Potter Email: mpotter@dwmlaw.com

About

Isabel Ekman primarily represents school districts on a diverse and ever-evolving spectrum of issues including special education and disability law, student rights, student discipline, and Title IX issues. Isabel also routinely advises healthcare providers on HIPAA compliance.

An experienced litigator, Isabel regularly represents her clients in state and federal courts, as well as in hearings before administrative agencies such as the Maine Human Rights Commission, Maine Department of Education, and the Office for Civil Rights. She draws upon effective negotiation skills to help her clients resolve disputes and avoid litigation. Isabel takes pride in serving her clients’ interests by maintaining a friendly, approachable demeanor and forging positive relationships with parties even when their disputes are highly contested.

A sought-after thought leader in the education space, Isabel conducts customized trainings on special education law and Title IX compliance at the K-12 level.  She has published numerous works on these topics, and is also frequently invited to present at conferences and events. Her expertise and professionalism earned her recognition by New England Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the field of Schools and Education, and on the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” list in the field of Education Law.

Isabel enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters – especially exploring Maine’s beaches and traveling.  Having lived in Paris, France, Isabel  speaks French fluently.

Education

University of Maine School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014

Mount Holyoke College, B.A., 2009

Recognition

New England Super Lawyers, Schools and Education, Rising Star 2017-2022

Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” – Education Law

Memberships

Maine State Bar Association
New Lawyers Section, Board of Governors

Past Presentations

From December 1, 2023 9:00 am

Spinning the Hits! Counting Down the Decade’s Top 10 Case Rulings in Special Education!

From October 4, 2023 9:00 am

The Tangled Web of Student Discipline

From August 7, 2023 9:00 pm

2023 Maine School Law Summer Institute (Virtual!)

From May 31, 2023 12:00 pm

Dealing with Reports of “Dangerous Students”

From December 16, 2022 9:00 am

Blast Off! A Countdown of 2022’s Top Issues in Special Education!

From July 26, 2022 9:00 am

2022 Maine School Law Summer Institute (Virtual!)

Once again, we are taking our School Law Institute virtual for 2022 using Zoom, a cloud-based video-conferencing service.

From March 24, 2022 9:00 am

Turf Wars! Who is responsible for delivering special education?

From September 16, 2021 9:30 am

Physical Restraint and Seclusion: Maine’s new law and Chapter 33 – ZOOM Edition

From July 12, 2021 9:00 am

2021 Maine School Law Institute (Virtual!)

Once again, we are taking our School Law Institute virtual for 2021 using Zoom, a cloud-based video-conferencing service. The Institute program has been designed with busy educators in mind. Taught by Drummond Woodsum school attorneys who have years of experience both practicing and teaching school law, the Institute distills from the vast body of education statutes and court decisions the knowledge that educators most need to perform their jobs effectively and to recognize and prevent legal problems before they arise.

From February 26, 2021 9:00 am

Leaving High School: Long Last Looks Must End

From August 26, 2020 9:00 am

The New Era of Title IX

From November 22, 2019 12:00 pm

BALANCING ACT! Making the Laws Fit for Students with Behavior Challenges

From July 9, 2019 12:00 pm

2019 Maine Special Education Law Institute

From April 3, 2018 12:00 pm

2018 Seminar for School and District Secretaries, Special Education Secretaries, and Administrative Assistants

From December 2, 2016 12:00 pm

Making the Grade in Special Education: Measuring Success, Eligibility, and the Delivery of FAPE in a Standards World

From July 26, 2016 12:00 pm

2016 Maine School Law Summer Institute

From July 12, 2016 12:00 am

2016 Maine Special Education Law Institute

From March 25, 2016 12:00 pm

Goodbye NCLB…Hello Every Student Succeeds Act

From December 4, 2015 12:00 pm

The Worst in Special Education – Presented in Partnership with MADSEC

From October 22, 2015 12:00 pm

Maintaining Order in Schools: Can Schools Still Discipline Students?

From September 11, 2015 12:00 pm

The Essentials of School Safety: A Comprehensive Approach to the Law and Policy