Every community deserves a great team

Donna Rascoe is Principal in the Durham office where she heads the Education practice group for TBLF. Donna has over 30 years of experience in the area of education law. Prior to practicing law, Donna was a former teacher and school administrator. This experience led Donna to a practice in the area of education law after attending law school. As a former educator, Donna is able to bring this perspective when providing legal advice and guidance to her clients. She advises and litigates on behalf of public and private schools from special education, K-12, and the post-secondary level in a variety of legal matters throughout North Carolina. She also handles employment and other civil litigation matters for school districts and other public entities. Donna, who has received numerous awards for her work in the area of education law, has been recognized by her peers, both locally and nationally, as one of the top-rated education attorneys.

• J.D., University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 
• M.A., University of Iowa
• B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

North Carolina

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina

• North Carolina Bar Association, Education and Litigation Sections
• North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
• Tenth Judicial District Bar Councilor to the North Carolina State Bar (2011-2019)
• North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission (2007-2010)

• North Carolina Child Care Commission, Chair (2002-2009)
• University of North Carolina Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, President (2005-2006)

• Obtained dismissal for a school superintendent in a federal lawsuit alleging constitutional violations related to the termination of a school resource officer
• Obtained dismissals for teachers accused of negligent supervision of students and improper discipline of students
• Defended a multimillion-dollar premises liability claim involving alleged injury to a disabled child
• Obtained summary judgment for a housing authority in claims by plaintiff that they suffered physical, cognitive, and emotional deficits as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide

• Co-author, “Religion in the Schools,” Litigation Forum Newsletter (January 2007)
• “Religious Challenges to School Facilities Use Policies,” North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section Newsletter (June 2001)
• “Special Education,” Principals’ Executive Program Fall Law Update (1999-2001, 2003)
• “Educating Students with Disabilities,” NC School Boards Association – School Law Academy (March 2009)
• “Demystify the Role of the Child Care Commission and the General Assembly,” NC Licensed Child Care Association (October 2008)
• “Liability for Educators,” Law Institute for Teachers sponsored by the NC Bar Association (August 2008)
• Panel Member, “Stimulant Medications and ADHD: Implications for Educational and Clinical Practice,” June Lyday Orton Memorial Lecture and Symposium, Wake Forest University School of Medicine (2006)
• “Special Education Law for School Administrators,” Randolph County Schools (June 2006)
• “The New and Improved IDEA,” North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Central Region Administrators (February 2006)
• “Special Education Law,” Catawba County Schools (December 2005)
• “Special Education Seminar,” Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (November 2004)
• “Special Education and Disability Law,” Principals’ Executive Program, Center for School Leadership Development, University of North Carolina (April 2004)
• “Student Admissions and Student Records,” Principals’ Executive Program (April 2003)
• “School Records: Contents, Access, and Use in Litigation,” CSH Seminar (November 2002)
• “Hot Topics in North Carolina School Law, Recent Case Law Update,” Lorman Education Services (November 2002)
• “Special Education,” Hoke County Schools Leadership Conference (June 2002)
• “Special Education,” Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (October 2001)
• “Student Discipline,” Martin County Schools (October 2001)
• “Access to Federally Protected Records,” North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Staff Training (October 2000)
• “Religion and Sex in Schools,” North Carolina Bar Association Education Law Section Meeting (May 2000)

• NC Bar Association Hall of Fame, Inductee (2025)
• Named to the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2024 50 Most Influential Women List
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite – Employment Law (2023)
• Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Education Law (2009, 2016)
• Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers (2012)