
The goal of the Education Practice at Hodgson Russ is to provide high-quality legal services to help our school clients establish the best possible educational and work environments. Over the past 40 years, our attorneys have advised on the operations and employment matters of school districts and legal issues involving students.
Hodgson Russ operates on the premise that we work first and foremost for the board of education. In the area of employee relations, we generally represent management only. Nevertheless, our approach to labor relations is resolutely non-confrontational. We recognize that the district must work together with employees and their unions for mutual interests to be served. However, there are times when management has to take a firm stand, and members of Hodgson Russ’s Education Practice have an excellent reputation as persuasive advocates for school management when dealing with difficult situations.
- Administration of collective negotiations agreements in school districts and the Taylor Law
- Capital Project Construction Contracts & Disputes
- Constitutional issues, including due process, search and seizure, and the First Amendment
- Contingency budgets in New York State
- Discipline of classified and certified employees
- Environmental law matters
- Federal and state civil rights laws
- Grievance administration and arbitration
- Litigation
- New York civil service issues
- New York State and federal laws generally affecting public schools
- Public Officers Law
- Regulations and decisions of the New York State Commissioner of Education
- Rehabilitation Act (§504) and Americans with Disabilities Act
- School building construction, closings, sales, and leases
- School finances
- School transportation issues
- Special education
- Student rights and discipline
- Tax issues pertaining to wages and benefits
- Tort liability of school districts and officials
As a full-service law firm, we have attorneys who are well versed in virtually any area of law that affects school districts. From litigation, tax rate proceedings, real estate, and employee relations to construction contracts and bonding, environmental law, and intellectual property, Hodgson Russ attorneys are thoroughly equipped to assist you.
- Acquisition of School Campus on Behalf of School District Client
- Analysis of the Preliminary and Official Statements for a $20 Million Charter School Bond Issuance
- Construction of New Science Building
- Design and Construction Contract Negotiations
- Energy Performance Contract
- Federal Tax Issues Pertaining to Sale of Building With Outstanding Tax-Exempt Bonds
- Multi-Year Special Education Litigation on Behalf of School District
- Negotiation of Settlements in Teacher Disciplinary Matters
- Public School District Ends 28-Year Class Action
- Represented School District in Alleged “Sick Building” Case
- School District Capital Improvement Projects
- School District Construction or Renovation
- School District Suceeds in Defending Claims by Former Board Members
- Summary Judgment in Federal Court on Behalf of School District Accused of IDEA Violations
- Victory for Portville District Benefits Schools Across New York State
In the News
- Buffalo Business First, November 27, 2020
- The Evening Tribune, July 2, 2020
- WBFO/WSKG, May 14, 2020
- Buffalo Business First, November 17, 2017
- Special Ed Connection, November 12, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, October 21, 2014
- On Board, September 1, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, June 23, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, November 6, 2013
- Buffalo Law Journal, September 23, 2013
- Buffalo Law Journal, July 29, 2013
- Buffalo News, July 20, 2013
- Buffalo Law Journal, January 28, 2013
- Buffalo News, September 21, 2012
- Buffalo Law Journal, September 17, 2012
- Buffalo Law Journal, July 16, 2012
- Buffalo Business First, June 15, 2012
- UB Reporter, June 14, 2012
- Buffalo Law Journal, October 31, 2011
- May 25, 2011
- June 23, 2006
Press Releases
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, November 15, 2021
- Press Release, November 18, 2015
- Press Release, October 2, 2014
- Press Release, June 6, 2014
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, April 18, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, October 18, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, April 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, September 2, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, August 6, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education and Media & First Amendment Alert, June 23, 2021
- NYSASA On Board, April 12, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Media and First Amendment Alert, March 3, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 22, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , December 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Labor and Employment Alert , October 21, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal and Education Alert, August 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ COVID-19 Litigation and Employment Action Team Alert, July 28, 2020
- New York State School Boards Association, July 20, 2020
- Governor Cuomo’s Latest Executive Order Extends Deadlines to Submit Absentee Ballots for School VoteHodgson Russ Education Alert, June 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Special Education Alert, June 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Municipal Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education, Municipal & Public Finance Alert, April 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Public Finance Alert, April 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert , March 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 30, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, March 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Practice Alert, March 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, August 14, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, July 25, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Education Alert, June 14, 2019
- New York State School Boards Association, May 29, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Labor & Employment Alert, March 18, 2019
- Education Alert, February 28, 2017
- Education Alert, February 27, 2017
- A Healthy Dose of New Requirements for School Nutrition Program PersonnelOn Board, October 12, 2015
- On Board, May 27, 2013
- On Board, April 15, 2013
- Education Alert, April 3, 2013
- Education Alert, March 12, 2013
- Education Alert, January 31, 2013
- Education Law Alert, July 11, 2012
- Education Law Alert, July 5, 2012
- Education Law Alert, November 28, 2011
- Buffalo Law Journal, September 19, 2011
- Education Law Alert, July 22, 2011
- Education Law Alert, July 8, 2011
- Education Alert, June 6, 2011
- Education Alert, June 22, 2010
- February 23, 2010
- Education Alert, June 29, 2009
- Education Alert, June 2009
- Buffalo Law Journal, April 2, 2009
- July 18, 2008
- New York Schools No Longer Authorized to Provide Special Education Services to Homeschooled StudentsFebruary 1, 2008
Presentations & Events
- Salvatore's Italian Gardens, October 6, 2022
- June 8, 2022
- Buffalo Niagara Marriott, 1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221, May 6, 2022
- May 20, 2021
- February 24, 2021
- January 15, 22, and 29
- Contingency Planning and the Provision of FAPEDecember 4, 2020
- October 14, 2020
- August 13, 2020
- July 9, 2020
- May 7, 2020
- May 6, 2020
- April 7, 2020
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Buffalo NY 14225, January 17, 2020
- October 1, 2019
- Webinar, August 15, 2019
- August 1, 2019
- The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York, June 1, 2019
- Millennium Hotel Buffalo, January 18, 2019
- New York, New York, October 26, 2018
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, October 4, 2018
- August 1, 2018
- “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” Student Disciplinary Hearings, NYSAS/NYSSBA 2018 Annual School Attorney Law ConferenceJune 3, 2018
- Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY, January 12, 2018
- Millennium Hotel, Cheektowaga, NY, October 4, 2017
- Cheektowaga, New York, January 13, 2017
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY, October 6, 2016
- Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY, January 15, 2016
- Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY, October 1, 2015
- Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY, January 16, 2015
- Canada/U.S. Cross-Border Estate and Income Tax PlanningToronto, Ontario, September 17, 2014
- NYSSBA 14th Annual School Attorney Law Conference: High Stakes Bargaining With No Chips at theTableSagamore, Bolton Landing, NY, 5/30- 6/1/14
- Buffalo, NY, January 17, 2014
- NYSSBA Winter Law Conference: The Board’s Role in the School Budget ProcessRochester, NY, December 12, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, September 26, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, January 18, 2013
- Buffalo, NY, October 23, 2012
- Buffalo, NY, September 27, 2012
- Buffalo, NY, January 20, 2012
- Buffalo, NY, September 22, 2011
- Buffalo, NY, August 29, 2011
- Buffalo, NY, May 27, 2011
- Buffalo, NY, January 14, 2011
- Buffalo, NY, July 13, 2010
- Buffalo, NY, May 5, 2010
- Buffalo, NY, March 31, 2010
- Buffalo, NY, January 15, 2010
- Buffalo, NY, October 1, 2009
- Buffalo, NY, May 7, 2009
- Buffalo, NY, January 9, 2009
- NYSSBA School Attorney Law Conference: Navigating EEOC and SDHR Complaints- Techniques and TacticsSagamore, Bolton Landing, NY, June 9, 2008