Russell
Russell v. Department of Education
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM *
Appellants Alexa and George W. Russell (the “Russells”) appeal the district court’s dismissal of their complaint against, inter alia, the State of Hawaii’s Department of Education for violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (“IDEA”), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1041 et seq. We have jurisdiction over this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and remand this case to the district court for additional proceedings.
The parties are familiar with the facts of this case, which we do not recite in detail. The district court granted appellees’ motion to dismiss, holding that appellants must retain counsel in order to bring a claim under the IDEA. The appellants, still pro se, pursued an appeal. After briefing was completed, appellants obtained counsel, who submitted several letters citing to supplemental authorities pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(j) and appeared on their behalf at oral argument. During argument, appellants’ counsel indicated he would not likely be able to continue to represent his clients on remand.
At this point, the parties have not joined issue on many of the crucial arguments in this case. Moreover, it is unclear whether the district…