Who We Serve

Public Schools

Together, Porzio Education Services is the ultimate support system for public schools, offering a comprehensive range of services under one roof. Our Attorneys at Porzio law ensure a legally compliant learning environment, while our consultants at Porzio Compliance Services (PorzioCS) and lobbyists at Porzio Governmental Affairs (PGA) streamline regulatory compliance and advocacy efforts. With our unique collaborative and integrated approach, we enable public schools to navigate the educational landscape seamlessly, empowering them to prioritize their core mission of providing quality education to students.

Services Offered

General Counsel

Porzio’s dedicated Education team is at the forefront of providing comprehensive legal counsel and litigation services to school districts across the great State of New Jersey. With an extensive portfolio representing almost 50 boards of education, we stand as trusted legal advocates. We prioritize ensuring compliance with education laws and regulations, offering comprehensive support on governance, student rights, labor, tenure, and employment matters, contracts, and litigation when needed. Additionally, we actively monitor legal changes, assist in creating safe and productive learning environments, and foster collaborative relationships to address legal challenges efficiently and effectively. With a team of seasoned attorneys and former judges specializing in education law, we serve as dedicated partners, empowering public schools to navigate complex legal landscapes confidently while maintaining their focus on delivering high-quality education to students. Our attorneys have a track record of success in handling groundbreaking, high-profile education cases. These include landmark victories in send-receive disputes, school district reconfigurations and consolidations, tenure matters, board ethics, school employee health insurance contributions under Chapter78, and notably, New Jersey’s inaugural student-on-student harassment case. This groundbreaking litigation marked the first case brought under Title IX and, several years later, the initial case following the initial introduction of the Harassment Intimidation and Bullying regulations. We believe in synergy within our firm, collaborating seamlessly with attorneys in other areas, such as insurance coverage, land use, and environmental law. This collaborative approach enables us to offer swift, cost-effective guidance to our esteemed public school clients.

Special Education Services

Porzio’s Education team is deeply committed to supporting districts as they address the rights and educational opportunities afforded to students with disabilities. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that districts are well-advised as they navigate the unique challenges presented in ensuring a free and appropriate public education to students with special needs. We recognize that the journey may be challenging, but we are dedicated to serving as trusted district advocates and advisors every step of the way.

Labor Negotiations and Employment

Porzio’s Education team specializes in navigating the intricate landscape of labor negotiations and employment matters within the education sector. With extensive knowledge in supporting educational institutions across New Jersey, we offer unparalleled experience in these crucial areas. Our dedication lies in fostering conducive and harmonious work environments within educational institutions throughout the state. We understand the pivotal role that effective labor negotiations and employment practices play in the success of schools and their employees. Together, we can contribute to building a more robust, well-informed, and compliant educational community.

Real Estate and Construction

Porzio’s Education team understands that educational institutions face unique challenges when it comes to real estate and construction. We are committed to helping you navigate these challenges successfully, ensuring that your facilities and infrastructure support your mission of providing quality education. Whether you are a school district, college, university, or educational organization, together, we can build safe, modern, and effective learning environments that empower students and enhance the educational experience.

Investigations

At Porzio, our Education team is unwavering in our dedication to helping you uphold the highest standards of conduct and accountability. We understand that investigatory information can provide you with the tools necessary to make the best, critical decisions. Our investigations are equitable, thorough, and objective. Our goal is to support your efforts towards uncovering truth and ensuring accountability. By fostering such an environment, we aim to inspire trust and confidence in the unimpeachable integrity of our cherished educational institutions.

Educational Compliance and Support

Porzio’s Education team is dedicated to providing exceptional educational compliance and support services to public schools across New Jersey. We understand the complex landscape of educational regulations and the unique challenges faced by public school districts. Our mission is to assist public schools in meeting compliance requirements while fostering an environment that empowers students, educators, and administrators. We are committed to the success of public schools and the students they serve. We recognize that navigating the complex world of educational compliance can be challenging, but we are here to simplify the process, providing guidance every step of the way.

Multilingual Student Support

Porzio’s Education team is deeply committed to enhancing educational opportunities for multilingual students within New Jersey’s diverse educational landscape. We recognize the unique challenges faced by students who are English learners (ELs) and are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal counsel and support to ensure their success. We recognize that each student brings a unique linguistic and cultural background to the classroom, enriching the educational experience for all. For school districts and educational organizations seeking to provide equitable support to English learners, Porzio assists in creating an educational environment that embraces linguistic diversity, promotes academic excellence, and empowers multilingual learners to achieve their full potential.

District Reconfiguration, Funding & Tax Disputes

For over 20 years, Porzio has been at the forefront of almost every significant school district reconfiguration case in New Jersey. We have a proven track record, including handling the only three regional school district dissolutions in state history, transforming district structures, creating efficient sending-receiving relationships, and advising on compliance with state law. Our experience extends to conducting feasibility studies, optimizing educational and financial outcomes, and assisting taxpayers in realizing substantial savings. Our reconfiguration and regionalization team — inclusive of attorneys, former educators, former DOE officials, and lobbyists — makes us uniquely qualified to assist our clients in all aspects of a district reconfiguration from the initial steps of applying for a State grant to fund a study, to preparing the necessary feasibility study, to implementing the desired outcome of the client and community, including any resulting litigation, and, when necessary, advocating for changes in the law. Indeed, our team played an integral role in the most significant legislative change in this area in decades, making grants available for districts and easing the pathway towards regionalization. Our commitment is unwavering, as we continue to help schools develop more effective, fiscally sound systems and negotiate advantageous agreements, ensuring the best outcomes for all stakeholders.

Feasibility Studies, Expert Reports, and Expert Witness Services

Porzio’s Education team is renowned for their experience offering comprehensive services tailored to meet the unique needs of educational institutions, administrators, and policymakers. Our practice specializes in providing critical support for feasibility studies and expert reports, particularly in cases involving school closures and the provision of expert witness services. Our dedicated team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to ensure that educational stakeholders can navigate complex legal challenges and make informed decisions. Our team, comprised of attorneys, former educators and administrators, former DOE officials, and lobbyists, brings unparalleled expertise to these important issues under one umbrella. This configuration uniquely allows our clients to have a seamless comprehensive approach to preparing feasibility studies and implementing the decisions made by our clients following those studies.

Multilingual Education Support and Services

At Porzio, we understand that fostering a culturally inclusive and linguistically diverse educational environment is not just a priority, but a responsibility. We are committed to providing comprehensive support and services to educational institutions and organizations seeking to promote multilingual education and serve diverse communities. We believe that linguistic diversity should be celebrated and embraced within the educational landscape. We recognize the unique value that each student brings to the classroom, and we are passionate about supporting educational institutions in creating environments that allow all students to thrive.

Litigation

As experienced education attorneys, we provide dominant legal representation for school districts facing litigation. Whether defending against claims related to special education disputes, student discipline issues, or employment matters, our robust representation and comprehensive strategic counsel is designed to protect our clients’ interests. Our team is well-versed in handling a wide range of cases, including whistleblower, wage and hour, student bullying, Title IX violations, grievances, and harassment and discrimination claims. We work closely with school leaders to ensure they are fully prepared at every stage of litigation, from pre-trial motions to settlement negotiations and court appearances. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges schools face, we strive to resolve disputes swiftly and efficiently while minimizing legal risks and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

New Jersey Quality Single Accountability System (NJQSAC)

NJQSAC Compliance: Our team has a deep understanding of the New Jersey Department of Education’s monitoring system, NJQSAC (New Jersey Quality Single Accountability System), including experience conducting NJQSAC evaluations as state employees. We help district school boards to better understand the NJQSAC process, to prepare for it, and to respond as necessary following NJQSAC reviews.

Safety, Security Assessments and Planning

Porzio Education Services is dedicated to providing comprehensive support in safety and security assessments and planning for educational institutions. We address a wide spectrum of safety challenges, from physical security to cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and the creation of conducive learning environments. Through meticulous assessments and strategic planning, we help institutions identify vulnerabilities, develop robust emergency response plans, and foster a culture of preparedness. Our commitment extends beyond safeguarding institutions; it aims to create an environment where all members of the educational community can learn and work with confidence and peace of mind.

Administrative/Training Services

At Porzio Education Services, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive administrative and training services that empower educational leaders, staff, and educators to excel. We understand that effective administration and continuous professional development are cornerstones of a thriving educational institution. We are deeply committed to supporting the educational community by offering a wide range of services that enhance administrative processes and elevate the knowledge and skills of educational professionals.

Governmental Services

Through Porzio’s subsidiary, Porzio Governmental Affairs (PGA), we offer comprehensive government relations support to educational institutions and organizations. PGA is dedicated to helping clients navigate the intricate web of state and local policies, regulations, and legislative processes that impact education. Our practice in state and local government relations support encompasses a wide range of services tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions. We recognize that state and local policies and legislation significantly influence the educational sector. Our practice is focused on ensuring that educational organizations can effectively engage with state and local government entities, advocating for policies that promote educational excellence and support their mission.