Rhonda Mangus and her 18 year old son Michael have been battling with the legal system since 2005. Their conflict began then, when Michael was 13, and had begun attending North Tonawanda High School. Identified as gay, Michael was mercilessly bullied and finally received a written death threat.

Thus began their saga: Mangus removed the teen from school attendance and with involvement of the Niagara County Department of Social Service and the New York State Office of Family and Child Services found herself placed in the state’s data base of offenders for “educational neglect”.

This past winter, she failed to get the charge remanded by the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

Professional and legal guidance from Jay Paul Deratany, a high profile attorney in Chicago, who is aiding Mangus on a pro bono basis, has given Mangus renewed determination to keep fighting for justice. “It is a dream come true to have the backing of a man of his caliber.” she says.

Deratany has a strong record of political aspirations (running on the Democratic ticket for Chicago offices), human rights advocacy, philanthropy, power legal settlements – in the multi-millions – for his injury litigation (specializing in children) , and even as a playwright: His play, ‘Haram Iran’, a human rights theater piece, has made it on the Chicago and Los Angeles stages.

Now Mangus is seeking local counsel in Niagara County, NY, who will be able to work in tandem with Deratany and his associate Nathan Polum.

Via EPR Network
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