The Group focuses its practice on the litigation of special education and general, school law disputes.  We provide sophisticated Education Law counsel to public school districts, Educational Services Commissions, and charter schools that face heightened exposure from litigation, and need help navigating the complex State and Federal laws.  The Group is dedicated to achieving client goals by providing thorough, responsive, and committed representation.

Special Education

School districts face heightened exposure to special education litigation and often sophisticated legal counsel is needed to navigate the complex interplay of Federal and State laws.  The Comegno Law Group has broad experience in the area of special education.  Our attorneys regularly mediate special education disputes and try Due Process Hearings.  Working closely with Directors of Special Education, Case Managers, and members of Child Study and IEP Teams to quickly deal with special education issues on a day-to-day basis, we have extensive experience dealing with disability-specific legal issues arising from the different categories of eligibility

The Group provides counsel regarding the eligibility, evaluation, and classification process, and lectures extensively throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania on special education litigation and issues that often arise during the IEP development and implementation process. 

Student Issues

The Group has extensive experience in handling day-to-day student issues.

These issues range from compulsory education, student safety, residency and disciplinary incidents, to constitutional concerns involving free speech and religious expression. The Group lectures extensively regarding student confidentiality and the maintenance of student records and issues related to the retention and destruction of student records.

In an age of increasing school violence, student discipline and the review and handling of zero-tolerance and other policies concerning student behavior has become particularly important. The Group is regularly involved in emergent disciplinary matters, including the coordination of manifestation determination meetings and the analysis of disciplinary options involving students eligible for special education and related services.

Labor and Employment Law

Schools are confronted with legal issues involving employees on a daily basis. In addition to handling union negotiations, the Group is involved in a variety of labor/employment issues. We regularly provide counsel regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements for teachers and staff, as well as sexual harassment in the school setting, including teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-student, and student-to-student harassment.

Construction Law and School Contracts

State laws regarding public school contracts are complex.

The Group regularly reviews public contracts, including bid specifications and plans, and assists schools in responding to the receipt of bids. We also provide advice on purchases made through state agencies, provide suggestions on emergency purchases, assist in the solicitation of quotes, and represent boards against emergent bid protests.

Providing counsel regarding the construction of new school facilities and the renovation and/or addition to existing facilities, the Group is involved in referendum challenges and the obtaining of municipal, county, state and/or federal approvals necessary for construction projects.

Contact us for additional information regarding our Public School Law practice.