Dr. Derrell Coleman is a 1986 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, and he also obtained a PhD in Educational Administration from UT-Austin in 2002 in the Cooperative Superintendency Program. Derrell Coleman is from Little Rock, AR. He attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio and graduated in 1983, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin Law School, Austin, Texas in 1983.
Derrell has practiced law in the State of Texas since 1987, concentrating in laws related to public school districts, including work for the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (a nonprofit teacher association) and in private practice. His diverse legal experience includes representing employee associations, administrators, Texas Education Agency, and most recently Dallas ISD. As a compliment to his legal experience, Dr. Coleman was also the Associate/Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in Dallas ISD and Cedar Hill ISD.
Derrell has experience in education as an attorney as well as an administrator. He brings a perspective on school administration and leadership to West and Associates that uniquely compliments the full service representation provided by the firm to educational institutions. As a former chief prosecutor, Derrell also has courtroom experience to necessary to protect the legal interests of our clients. His areas of practice include Employment Law, School Law, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and General Civil Litigation.
He has created and delivered training and professional development to all levels of school district employees, and he is also an adjunct professor of School Law for the University of North Texas at Denton and Prairie View A & M University. Derrell is also a regular speaker at legal conferences and educational conventions throughout the State of Texas. He has been a Board member for the Counsel of School Attorneys. He is a proud member of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and a member of the deacons ministry, and also active in his community.
