(RALEIGH, N.C.)–Melanie Dubis, a partner in the Firm’s Raleigh office, was consulted by WFAE 90.7 FM on a story regarding state budget cuts and the impact it has on education.

In the news story, Ms. Dubis speaks as counsel for Hoke County School System and references the upcoming hearing in the on-going Leandro Case. In the case, she and fellow Parker Poe attorney Bob Spearman have spent more than a decade battling for low-wealth school districts like Hoke County (Hoke County et. al. v. State of North Carolina and the State Board of Education), which confirmed the state’s constitutional obligation to provide a sound basic education for all N.C. schoolchildren. A court hearing has been set for June 22 to determine if the recent state budget cuts meet the constitutional requirements.

Ms. Dubis was also featured in Sunday’s Raleigh News & Observer because of her extensive involvement with the Leandro case. The newspaper was covering one of many stories in recent weeks on the growing gap between low wealth and rich schools, which has deepened because of budget cuts.

Ms. Dubis has worked with Mr. Spearman, both as lead attorneys, on the Leandro case since its inception. Mr. Spearman, who is Of Counsel in the Firm’s Raleigh office, received the North Carolina Justice Center’s Defenders of Justice Award because of his involvement with Leandro.