This paper deals with the Community Legal Services law suit and the role played by a large city office of research and evaluation in bringing about its resolution. This law suit was waged on behalf of the Welfare Rights organization against the State Department of Education and, most directly upon the recipient of state-managed Title I funds, a large urban school district. The antecedents of the suit, along with the specific problems created by it are discussed, as is the chronology of events and the persons involved. More important, an analysis of what really happened, its impact upon educational policy within the school district and beyond, and an attempt to get at why it happened are provided. It is suggested that new roles for a research and evaluation unit evolve from a situation such as this. They are discussed in detail as are the implications of the situation for future policy development. (Author/AM)