Shayne L. Aldridge

The Law Office of Shayne L. Aldridge
113 Sycamore Lane
Pleasant Plains, Illinois 62677
T: 217-414-8596
F: 866-514-8828

After gaining a bachelors and masters degrees from Northern Illinois University, Mr. Aldridge started his career as a classroom teacher in a rural Central Illinois school district. Five years later he began to understand that he could serve more students and school districts by becoming a school attorney. Upon graduation form law school, Mr. Aldridge started his legal career with a school law firm in Central Illinois and gained experience in all facets of school law; including personnel, board governance, student issues, disciplinary hearings, special education, and vendor contracts. Yet, once again, he was lured back into education and took the position of assistant director of special education, legal affairs with a large urban school district. He also served as the building principal for the special needs alternative school. During that time, he attended Eastern Illinois University in order to acquire his administrative certificate and superintendent endorsement.

Mr. Aldridge went back to the private practice of school law with another school law firm in 2004. But, in 2009, Mr. Aldridge established and opened his own law firm. His dedication to education is evident. Even after twenty years in the field, he still feels honored to serve Central and Southern Illinois school districts. Mr. Aldridge has previously held adjunct professorships at Western Illinois University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the Educational Administration Departments where he taught special education law and general school law. He currently is an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield teaching school law.

The author of many articles for legal and educational journals, Mr. Aldridge’s latest article is the cover story for the August/September edition of the Illinois School Board Association’s School Board Journal entitled “Keeping Schools Safe and Secure.” He also has published a chapter in the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s School Law Practice Handbook, entitled “Student Discipline and Hazing.” He is a frequently requested presenter at numerous lectures, workshops, and seminars for Regional Offices of Education, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Principals Association, Southern Illinois University School Law Conference, Western Illinois University School Law Conference, school districts, and special education cooperatives. He is also a featured presenter for the Medical Educational Development – Professional Development Network, Inc. for many cutting edge school law topics.