Patricia Robinson, Attorney

For school boards, administrators, and educational stakeholders across North Carolina, navigating the intricate and constantly evolving landscape of education law is a paramount concern. From the nuances of student rights and special education to the complexities of personnel matters and compliance with federal regulations, the legal challenges within the education system demand highly specialized and deeply knowledgeable counsel. In Raleigh, one of the foremost legal professionals dedicated to this vital field is Patricia Robinson, Attorney.

Ms. Robinson brings a unique and invaluable perspective to her practice, stemming from her direct experience as a former middle school teacher. This hands-on understanding of educational environments, combined with her rigorous legal training and significant experience in government service, positions her as an exceptional advocate for North Carolina's public school systems. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Patricia Robinson's practice, detailing her areas of specialization, her convenient location, the range of services she offers, and the distinctive features that make her a highly recommended choice for education law matters within the state.

Patricia Robinson is a highly respected attorney and a partner in the distinguished Education Law Section at Tharrington Smith, LLP, a leading law firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her practice is exclusively devoted to serving public school systems and other educational entities throughout the state, providing comprehensive legal advice and robust representation across a vast array of issues.

Ms. Robinson's journey to becoming a prominent education law attorney is marked by a profound commitment to public education. After graduating with honors and highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010 with a B.A. in English, she spent three years teaching middle school Language Arts in Charlotte, including two years as a Teach for America corps member. This direct experience in the classroom provides her with an empathetic and practical understanding of the challenges and realities faced by educators and students alike, which significantly enriches her legal counsel. She then returned to UNC, graduating with high honors from law school in 2016 and being inducted into the Order of the Coif.

Her legal background also includes significant experience at the federal level, having interned for Judge Allyson K. Duncan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and served as a legal intern in the Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. This diverse and extensive experience, coupled with her role as former Chair of the Education Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, firmly establishes Patricia Robinson as a leading authority in education law for North Carolina.

Patricia Robinson, Attorney, practices from a highly accessible and central office location in Raleigh, North Carolina, making it convenient for clients across the state to access her expertise. Her office is situated at:

150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

This address places her within the prominent Wells Fargo Building, a well-known and easily identifiable landmark on Fayetteville Street, one of downtown Raleigh's primary thoroughfares. The central location in the state capital's business and legal district offers excellent accessibility for various clients, including school board members, administrators, and other educational stakeholders. Fayetteville Street is well-served by local public transportation routes, providing a convenient option for those within Raleigh. For clients traveling from other areas of Wake County or from further reaches of North Carolina, the downtown area offers numerous public parking garages and metered street parking options within comfortable walking distance of the office. The professional environment of the Wells Fargo Building ensures a discreet and welcoming setting for legal consultations. This strategic and accessible placement underscores Tharrington Smith, LLP's commitment to providing efficient and convenient legal support to North Carolina's educational community.

Patricia Robinson's legal practice is comprehensively focused on education law, providing specialized counsel and representation to public school systems and educational clients across North Carolina. Her services address a wide array of legal issues inherent to the operation and governance of schools, including:

• Internal Investigations: Conducting and advising on sensitive internal investigations related to various matters, including employee misconduct, student issues, and civil rights complaints (e.g., Title IX).
• Policy Revisions & Development: Assisting school boards in drafting, reviewing, and updating policies to ensure legal compliance, reflect best practices, and address emerging educational trends.
• Personnel Matters: Providing guidance on all aspects of school employment law, including hiring, contracts, evaluations, disciplinary actions, grievances, dismissals, and compliance with federal and state employment statutes.
• Special Education Law: Offering in-depth expertise in navigating the complex legal framework of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, including due process hearings, mediations, and compliance issues.
• Contracts: Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating various contracts relevant to school operations, such as vendor agreements, service contracts, and inter-local agreements.
• Public Records Law: Advising on compliance with North Carolina's public records laws, ensuring proper handling of information requests and transparency in governance.
• Litigation & Appeals: Representing school board clients in legal disputes before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including the Office of Administrative Hearings, from initial proceedings through appeals.
• General Counsel Services for Boards of Education: Serving as general counsel for multiple Boards of Education, providing ongoing, day-to-day legal advice and strategic guidance.
• Student Services & Discipline: Counseling on student rights, disciplinary procedures, attendance, residency issues, and other legal matters impacting students.
• Civil Rights & Constitutional Matters: Advising on compliance with civil rights statutes (e.g., Title IV, Title IX, ADA) and constitutional issues affecting schools.

Through these specialized services, Patricia Robinson ensures that educational institutions receive robust, informed, and proactive legal support to manage their complex environments effectively.

Patricia Robinson's professional profile is distinguished by several key features and significant recognitions, highlighting her expertise and standing in the field of education law:

• Dedicated Education Law Expert: Her practice is exclusively focused on education law, providing clients with highly specialized and comprehensive legal guidance in this specific area.
• Former Educator Background: Her experience as a middle school teacher through Teach for America (2010-2013) offers invaluable practical insight into school operations and challenges, enabling her to provide more relevant and empathetic legal advice.
• Federal Government Experience: Her legal internship with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Educational Opportunities Section, provides a unique federal perspective on civil rights enforcement in K-12 education.
• Judicial Clerkship Experience: An externship for a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit provided her with direct insight into the appellate process and judicial decision-making.
• Academic Excellence: Graduating with high honors and Order of the Coif from UNC School of Law, coupled with her role as an Honors Writing Scholar and editor of the First Amendment Law Review, demonstrates strong legal scholarship and analytical capabilities.
• "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" Recognition: Ms. Robinson has been recognized in "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America" for 2024-2025, a significant acknowledgment of her emerging talent and excellence in the legal profession, based on peer reviews.
• Leadership in State Bar: She is the former Chair of the Education Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, demonstrating her leadership and influence in shaping education law within the state.
• General Counsel to School Boards: Her role as general counsel for three Boards of Education highlights her deep, ongoing involvement and trusted advisory capacity for local school systems.
• Affiliation with Tharrington Smith, LLP: As a partner in a highly respected and long-standing firm, she operates within an environment with extensive resources and a strong legacy of legal excellence in North Carolina.

These highlights collectively reinforce Patricia Robinson's standing as a highly capable, knowledgeable, and dedicated attorney, particularly well-suited to address the legal needs of North Carolina's educational sector.

As a highly experienced and specialized legal professional practicing within a well-established law firm, Patricia Robinson, Attorney, focuses on delivering expert legal counsel and robust representation rather than offering typical "promotions" or discounts. The value she provides to her clients—primarily public school systems and educational entities across North Carolina—is rooted in her profound knowledge of education law, her unique background as a former educator, and her proven ability to guide institutions through complex legal challenges and achieve favorable outcomes.

While specific "special offers" are not part of her professional services in a promotional sense, prospective clients are always encouraged to contact her office for a consultation. During this initial discussion, you can outline your specific legal needs, whether related to personnel matters, special education, policy development, or litigation. Ms. Robinson and her team will discuss how their specialized services can address your situation and provide clear information on their fee structure, which is typically based on the complexity and scope of the legal work required. Engaging with an attorney of Ms. Robinson's caliber is an investment in ensuring legal compliance, mitigating risks, and effectively resolving disputes within the educational environment. Direct communication is the best way to determine how her expertise can benefit your institution.

For educational institutions, school boards, or individuals in North Carolina seeking expert legal guidance from Patricia Robinson, Attorney, her office is readily accessible:

• Address: 150 Fayetteville St #1900, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
• Phone: (919) 821-4711
• Mobile Phone: +1 919-821-4711

Patricia Robinson practices as a partner at Tharrington Smith, LLP. When contacting the office, you can expect a professional and helpful response from the firm's administrative team. They are equipped to assist you with scheduling a consultation or answering any preliminary questions you might have regarding her specialized legal services in education law. It is advisable to reach out during standard business hours to ensure direct communication with the appropriate staff who can best assist with your inquiry.

For North Carolina's public school systems, educational institutions, and all stakeholders connected to the state's vibrant educational community, Patricia Robinson, Attorney, stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal resource. Her suitability for locals is deeply rooted in her unique blend of practical teaching experience and extensive, specialized legal expertise within education law.

Her background as a former teacher in North Carolina provides her with an empathetic, ground-level understanding of the daily operations and unique challenges faced by schools. This insight, combined with her experience at the U.S. Department of Justice and her judicial externship, ensures that clients receive not just legal advice, but strategic solutions that are both legally sound and practically applicable within the educational context. She can effectively bridge the gap between legal theory and real-world school operations.

Furthermore, her active leadership within the North Carolina Bar Association's Education Section, coupled with her role as general counsel for multiple local Boards of Education, demonstrates her unwavering commitment to and intimate knowledge of North Carolina's education landscape. Her central location in Raleigh also provides convenient access for educational clients across the entire state. By choosing Patricia Robinson, North Carolina's educational institutions gain a dedicated partner with a proven track record, a deep understanding of their needs, and the ability to provide comprehensive, effective legal guidance to navigate the complexities of education law.