NYCLA BOARD APPROVES EDUCATION LAW COMMITTEE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Anita Aboulafia 212-267-6646, ext. 225, aaboulafia@nycla.org

 

NYCLA BOARD APPROVES EDUCATION LAW COMMITTEE

 

October 17, 2007 – New York, NY – The New York County Lawyers’ Association’s (NYCLA) Board of Directors has approved the creation of a new committee, the Education Law Committee. The new committee will explore legal and policy issues relating to public and private schools (pre-school to university level) and related education issues, including those dealing with teachers, administrators and students.

 

The committee will be co-chaired by Steve Landis, who heads his own practice in labor, employment and education law, and David Bloomfield, program head of Educational Leadership and associate professor of Education Law at Brooklyn College.

 

According to Catherine A. Christian, NYCLA President, “Whether it be reauthorization of mayoral control over New York City public schools, No Child Left Behind or special education issues, this new committee will continue NYCLA’s tradition of being in the forefront of the major legal and public policy debates in this state.”

 

In New York, State Education Law governs the creation and operation of schools as regulated by the New York State Education Department and Board of Regents. Federal law also applies, including, but not limited to, Title IX governing equal opportunity for women, the Rehabilitation Act and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. As in corporate law, other areas dovetail with an education law practice, such as labor and employment law, real estate law, and non-profit and corporate finance issues. The practice of corporate law and education law diverges since the nature, mission and character of a school are markedly different from for-profit businesses and other organizations.

 

Steve Landis

Mr. Landis has represented a number of schools from the K-12 and college level, as well as a CUNY foundation, and represents educators, teachers and school administrators. In addition, he previously represented two public school districts. He has taught numerous CLE programs on employment law and education issues at NYCLA and elsewhere, and served as a guest lecturer on labor and employment law for a graduate level Education Law class at Fordham University.

 

David Bloomfield

Prior to joining Brooklyn College, Mr. Bloomfield was general counsel to the New York City Board of Education and general counsel/senior education advisor to the Manhattan Borough President. He served as president of the Citywide Council on High Schools and is a frequent commentator on education law, legislation and school reform. A licensed teacher, principal and superintendent, Mr. Bloomfield has taught in elementary and middle schools. He recently published a book, American Public Education Law.

 

The New York County Lawyers’ Association (www.nycla.org) was founded in April 1908 as the first major bar association in the country that admitted members without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual identity. Since its inception, it has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence and has continuously played an active role in legal developments and public policy.

 

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