BUFFALO, N.Y. — Karl W. Kristoff, David A. Farmelo, and Jerome D. Schad — all partners at Hodgson Russ LLP and members of the Firm's Education Law Practice Group — gave presentations at the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)'s 85th Annual Convention and Educational Trade Show, October 21-24, Buffalo Convention Center.

Mr. Kristoff, lead attorney for the Education Law Practice Group, offered attendees an "Employee Discipline Primer," which examined the steps administrators must take when disciplining tenured teachers and non-instructional staff. Mr. Farmelo was a member of a panel, along with Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark and two school attorneys from other parts of the state, which addressed "Effectively Combating Bullying and Hazing" at the Pre-Convention Law Seminar. Mr. Schad presented a "Special Education Review" examining the latest developments regarding school districts' responsibilities in educating students with disabilities.

Mr. Kristoff has practiced law since 1968 and has been engaged almost exclusively in both school law and public sector labor relations work for the past 28 years. He has been designated a hearing officer by the New York State Commissioner of Education for cases arising under Part 83 of the Commissioner's Regulations concerning teacher certification. Mr. Farmelo is a specialist in school law and he is the Vice Chairperson of the Council of School Attorneys of the National School Boards Association. Mr. Kristoff and Mr. Farmelo were among 31 Hodgson Russ attorneys recently selected for the 2005-06 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Schad is lead attorney for the Firm's special education law practice and he speaks regularly on legal issues regarding public school obligations to students with disabilities and non-discrimination matters.

In conjunction with the NYSSBA convention, Hodgson Russ hosted A Night of Jazz, which offered guests cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and jazz music by the Sal Andolina Quintet in the Firm's historic Guaranty Building, October 21.

With approximately 200 attorneys practicing in all major areas of law, Hodgson Russ is the 206th largest law firm headquartered in the United States, as reported by the National Law Journal. It is one of approximately 100 firms in the country listed in America's Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree. In addition, Hodgson Russ was recently named one of the country's most admired employers by American Employer Digest. The Firm, which was established in 1817 and is among the oldest law firms in the U.S., is the only law firm that can count two former U.S. presidents, Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland, among its alumni. The eight offices of Hodgson Russ are located in Albany, Buffalo, JFK International Airport, Johnstown, and New York City, New York; Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada