From the Statehouse to the Schoolhouse: Implementing SB 19, HB 455, and Other Key Legislation Webinar

Immy is a distinguished attorney with more than fourteen years of legal experience, with her practice dedicated to helping clients navigate the regulatory landscape governing public school districts.  At Pepple & Waggoner, Immy focuses on providing general school law representation with a solutions-oriented approach.

Prior to joining Pepple & Waggoner, Immy served as counsel to school districts across the State on a wide range of legal issues including employment, collective bargaining, licensure, board policy and governance, and general compliance with state and federal regulations.  Immy also served as Chief Legal Counsel to the Ohio Department of Education and was responsible for advising the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent, and Department staff on a wide range of legal and policy issues.  During her time at the Department, she also served as the Director of Licensure.  At the beginning of her career, Immy served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Franklin County.

Immy graduated from the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The Ohio State University.  She is admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio.

Brad advises school boards on a variety of litigation and general school matters in courts across the state at both the trial and appellate levels.  Brad employs a proactive, solution-oriented approach to his practice with the goal of avoiding costly litigation.

Brad attended Mercyhurst University in Erie Pennsylvania where he earned his B.A. in Political Science magna cum laude and was an Academic All-American selection as a football player.  After completing his graduate studies, he attended Cleveland State University College of Law where he graduated magna cum laude.  Prior to joining Pepple & Waggoner, Brad litigated matters as a trial attorney across Northeast Ohio in the areas of criminal defense and general civil litigation.  As a result, he is well versed in litigation and accustomed to addressing difficult and contentious legal matters.

Brian DeSantis is frequently called upon to advise school boards on high-stakes issues. Brian has counseled boards at risk of state intervention; resolved complex, multi-million-dollar school funding disputes; successfully defended school boards in protracted special education litigation; and created compliance systems for school districts sponsoring community schools.

Brian’s experience encompasses counseling clients through employment issues, representing school boards in labor and other contract negotiations, drafting education legislation, advising on constitutional law issues, and counseling on matters related to career-technical education. As a result, he has the ability to see the big picture and provide proactive guidance.

 Outside of work, Brian is an avid baseball fan, an ardent podcast listener, and an “occasional” runner. He graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, earned an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Wittenberg University, where he spent a summer studying in the African Kingdom of Lesotho. Prior to his legal career, Mr. DeSantis served as the Assistant Director of the Wittenberg Fund, where he guided annual fundraising to exceed $2.5 million. A product of Mayfield City School District, he lives in Bay Village with his wife, who works as a nurse practitioner, and their two children.