Fortenberry, Romberger Share Expertise at Statewide Education Conference
New Britain, PA - Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP attorneys Jason D. Fortenberry and Karl A. Romberger, Jr. shared practical legal strategies with special education leaders from across Pennsylvania at the 2026 PaCASE & PaCEC Conference.
Hosted by the Council of Administrators of Special Education and the Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children, the event was held July 9-11 in York, Pennsylvania. The conference drew special education administrators, educators, higher education professionals and pre-service teachers from across Pennsylvania to explore emerging legal issues, innovative instructional practices and strategies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
Fortenberry delivered two presentations focused on strengthening collaboration and reducing conflict in special education:
- His first session, “Resolving Challenges Before They Start: How to Build a Culture of Collaboration in Special Education,” was presented with Dr. Mike Ubbens, Supervisor of Special Education for the Avon Grove School District. Over the past five years, the Avon Grove School District has avoided costly special education legal disputes by taking a proactive approach to working with families. By partnering closely with families and legal counsel, district leaders have developed a successful model for resolving concerns early, building trust, and keeping the focus where it belongs – on helping students succeed.
- Fortenberry also partnered with parent attorney Maria Vetter to present “Same Table, Different Sides: How Opposing Lawyers Put Students First.” The session explored how attorneys representing school districts and families can engage in productive disagreement, use the dispute resolution process effectively, and maintain a student-centered approach even when legal conflicts arise.
In a separate session, Romberger presented “Minimizing Legal Risk When Sexual Conduct Arises.” He examined the legal responsibilities school districts face when addressing allegations of sexual conduct or misconduct. His session covered the intersection of Title IX, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), civil rights laws and state tort law, with special emphasis on issues involving students with disabilities.
Fortenberry advises school entities on special education, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability discrimination matters. Having previously represented both school districts and families, he brings a unique dual perspective to education law. He is the firm's leading voice on special education through its Pool Counsel service, providing timely, practical legal guidance to school administrators across Pennsylvania through this widely utilized 24/7 collaborative legal advisory resource.
Romberger advises school entities on special education, student services, civil rights, policy development, contracts and service provider arrangements. He represents educational institutions in administrative hearings and state and federal litigation and regularly provides professional development programs for educators and school leaders. Prior to joining Sweet Stevens, he served as a Pennsylvania special education hearing officer.
Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams, LLP was formed in 1995 by nine experienced education lawyers who created the first private law practice in Pennsylvania dedicated entirely to Education Law. Since then, the firm has grown to 25 attorneys who represent over 290 school and municipal entities as Solicitors or as Special Counsel in more than 50 counties throughout Pennsylvania, and in additional practice areas, such as Construction Law, Tax Assessment Appeals, Audit of Operations and Practices, Real Estate Law and Oil, Gas and Mineral Law.