Education lawyers that are on call and on point.

It has been said, “education is the passport to the future.” In that spirit, Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP recognizes that the school districts, private and specialized schools, public libraries and other educational, not-for-profit and municipal entities we represent are focused on enriching the lives and minds of the next generation.

The attorneys in our education law practice group provide general and labor and employment counsel to our clients. We pride ourselves on providing prompt advice and effective, reliable counsel when our clients need it, so that they can devote their full attention to fulfilling their educational missions.

Since we are also a full-service law firm that delivers a broad complement of legal services, our clients never need to look elsewhere; Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP is there to provide representation in any context and in virtually any area of law.

We understand that our clients serve distinct communities and encounter unique challenges. Our education lawyers take the time to truly understand each client’s needs, history and culture so that we can offer advice that’s individualized, practical, and effective. With offices in Garden City and Tarrytown, NY, and with a history of representing school districts going back almost a century, our firm has particularly strong knowledge of school districts and educational institutions on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan area.

Trusted General Counsel When and How You Need It

Schools confront legal issues every day. Our education lawyers are there, serving as trusted partners who address questions as they arise. Our clients regularly seek our guidance on a wide range of issues, such as:

  • Tenure and seniority of employees
  • Student and employee rights and discipline
  • Student residency and custody matters
  • Student mental and physical health
  • Student transportation
  • Special education matters concerning the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • Privacy concerns involving the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
  • Public record requests under the Freedom of Information Law
  • Obligations under the New York Open Meetings Law
  • Budgetary and finance matters
  • Reserve funds
  • Construction
  • Conflict of interest issues

We also assist in preparing agendas and policies, attend board of education and other meetings, prepare resolutions, and provide advice relating to the election of board members, the annual budget vote and matters of parliamentary procedure.

Labor and Employment Law Counsel

Many educational institutions confront labor and employment law issues on a regular basis. We have decades of experience in handling such matters and achieving successful outcomes in situations involving:

  • Contract negotiation and administration, including proposal development
  • Taylor Law and Civil Service Law issues
  • Bargaining and impasse
  • Grievance administration and arbitration
  • Workplace investigations
  • Statutory leaves of absence under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Paid Family Leave Act and the New York Paid Family Leave Benefits Law
  • Anti-discrimination and sexual harassment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws

We also routinely provide anti-discrimination, sensitivity and sexual harassment, board member liability, FOIL/Open Meetings Law and annual election training to our clients’ employees.
In contested matters, we represent clients at hearings, in litigation and on appeal. We have successfully acted as advocates in forums that include:

  • New York State Education Department
  • Public Employment Relations Board
  • Special education impartial hearing officers
  • New York State Review Officer
  • New York Education Law Section 3020-A adjudicators
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  • New York State Division of Human Rights
  • State and federal courts

Collaboration to Meet Every Need

The field of education has evolved tremendously over the years, and so has our approach to the law and the legal services we provide. We know that our clients have needs outside of the education law arena, including those involving contracts with vendors or service providers, construction, and tax certiorari and PILOT matters. Our education lawyers leverage the broad resources of our full-service firm, collaborating with colleagues in our real estate law, municipal law, tax certiorari and construction law  practice groups to provide seamless, comprehensive solutions for our clients.

Attorneys

Lawrence J. Tenenbaum

Partner Department Chair

Laura J. Granelli

Partner

Carol A. Melnick

Partner

Tyleana K. Venable

Associate