William H. Fields is Counsel in PK Law’s Education, Labor, and Employment Group. In his practice, Bill focuses on the representation of county school boards across Maryland, as well as representing private schools, higher education institutions, and private sector employers with employment and labor issues. In special education matters, Bill represents boards in IEP meetings, due process hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings, and appeals to the U.S. District Court. Bill also handles tort claims for school systems, resolving claims through motions practice or negotiation. He has broad experience in court, handling criminal defense, small claims, and insurance defense as well as appellate matters. Bill is our in-house expert on the Maryland Public Information Act and also advises on the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPAA).
Bill comes to PK Law after thirteen years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, advising senior management in the Maryland State Department of Education on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Maryland Public Information Act. He also represented MSDE in state and federal court. Bill went on to advise the Superintendent and Board of Trustees at the Maryland School for the Deaf on education, personnel, and intergovernmental issues. As the Attorney General’s Designee on the School Safety Subcabinet, Bill worked closely with the State Superintendent and Secretaries of the Maryland Department of Health, Department of Disabilities and Maryland State Police to reduce health and safety risks to students, staff and visitors in Maryland schools.
Prior to working as an Assistant Attorney General, Bill was an Assistant Public Defender in the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s Parental Defense Division, and previously served as Staff Attorney with Disability Rights Maryland.