CLE: Special Education Placements: Law and Practice – Bridging Legal and Educational Perspectives

Thursday March 10, 2026 

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Please note: newly-admitted attorneys must take this program in-person to qualify for Skills CLE credit.

In-person location: NYCLA, 111 Broadway 10th Fl, New York, NY 10006

This CLE program examines special education placements from legal and educational perspectives. It is intended for attorneys with varying levels of experience in special education matters, as well as allied professionals working in the field. The program focuses on unilateral private school placements under the IDEA and reviews how legal standards, educational documentation, and professional coordination are applied in practice.

Presenters will address common issues that arise throughout placement matters, with emphasis on objective analysis, ethical boundaries, and effective communication among attorneys, educators, and families.

Topics to Be Discussed

• Legal framework governing unilateral placements under the IDEA

• FAPE obligations and the three-prong test for tuition reimbursement

• Key case law relevant to placement and reimbursement determinations

• Due process procedures, timelines, and related considerations

• Counseling parents regarding placement options and process expectations

• Intake and evaluation materials, including IEPs and neuropsychological evaluations

• School documentation of student progress and program implementation

• Types of educational data commonly reviewed in placement disputes

• Evidentiary use of school documentation and testimony

• Professional roles and boundaries among parents, attorneys, and schools

• Ethical considerations in attorney and educator interactions

• Case study examining collaboration in a placement matter

Faculty
Celeste Gagliardi, Chief Education Officer, Gersh Autism Academy; Ariel Zitrin, Esq., Founder, AZ & CB Law & Consulting; Additional faculty TBA