Founded as an Education Law and Public Sector Labor and Employment Law firm, Girvin & Ferlazzo has been representing school districts for more than 20 years. With a list of more than 70 current school district clients, we are one of the largest and most experienced education law firms in New York State.
Very few law firms have the ability to bring clients such a broad base of experience and knowledge in Education and Public Sector Labor and Employment Law.
Our attorneys offer specific knowledge and experience in all areas related to school districts and can handle all matters affecting schools today, including the following:
Employee investigations and disciplinary proceedings
- Student disciplinary proceedings
- Student residency issues
- Special education
- Tax certiorari
- Real estate and property issues
- Board of education issues
- Labor relations, including Taylor Law issues
- Collective bargaining
- Grievance processing and arbitration
- Sexual harassment and discrimination claims
- Litigation issues before State and Federal courts and numerous administrative agencies
- Construction and other complex commercial contracts
- Competitive bidding
- Lease and joint services agreements
- Appointment and termination of employees
As general counsel to school districts, we frequently review, revise and prepare board policies and resolutions on all aspects of school district management, often assisting in the negotiation, revision, and preparation of contracts and vendor agreements. We regularly provide legal opinions to our clients on the application and interpretation of the statutes, rules, regulations, and contracts that affect school districts, taking a proactive approach to avoid unnecessary grievances and litigation.
Our successful track record in managing the grievance/arbitration process on behalf of our clients is buttressed by our ability to often resolve issues prior to arbitration. We offer guidance on procedures and contract agreements that enable our clients to achieve the structural, staff, and/or educational changes they wish to implement without challenge. However, when arbitration or litigation is necessary, we have an outstanding record of success in representing our school district clients. Our attorneys appear before courts of all levels, hearing officers, arbitrators, and administrative tribunals, successfully litigating for and defending board members, administrators and school districts on all education and administrative related issues, including disciplinary hearings, contract issues, workers compensation, management rights, First Amendment rights, harassment, discrimination matters, and other constitutional claims.
Our attorneys ensure that our school district clients are in compliance with the many complex laws and regulations governing special education. For example, we have developed a special education Preventative Law Retainer with forms, providing clients with regular advice on proactive measures to ensure that regulations are followed, necessary documents are processed, and proper notification procedures are in place.
School districts need to know the importance of establishing and maintaining a regular schedule of preventive counseling measures to avoid litigation. We provide practical answers to questions that new laws and policies create, and, through special training sessions, workshops, and policy reviews, we ensure that our clients understand how these laws affect their schools and that their operating procedures are in compliance.
For more information on our Education practice, contact an education lawyer:
James (“Jay”) Girvin
Kristine A. Lanchantin
Ryan P. Mullahy
Erin Rose Morris
For more information on our Special Education practice contact:
TESTIMONIALS
Daniel S. L. Rubin is a go to guy and his experience is a plus. He always guided me in right direction to get out of my litigation quickly. He works at his best and charges minimal also answers all our calls irrespective of timings. AND thank you very much Daniel for helping me..I wish you a GREAT success.
My experience with Girvin & Ferlazzo has been extremely positive. The firm's attorneys and paralegals are knowledgeable and determined to help, and they're considerate of the amount of time they have to spend to get the results.
My experiences working with the Girvin and Ferlazzo Law Firm has been outstanding. Their attorneys are responsive and tactful. Their knowledge, professionalism and resourcefulness are trumped only by their good character and cheerfulness. Having this law firms expertise at my fingertips enables me to face the myriad of challenges of running a public school district with confidence.
Each time I contact our attorneys, their response is very timely and handled thoroughly and very professionally. Not only that, it is so refreshing that they take time to know us personally and really have a feel for our individual schools. Each attorney I have dealt with has been invaluable and I look forward to many years of working with them.
Daniel Rubin is my guy. He was compassionate and was comfortable advising the fastest, least expensive legal solution. Even while he was on vacation, he stayed in touch with me and helped me to quickly resolve a problem where someone falsely tried to harm my business. It was still sad that I had to pay to get someone to be honest - so, I lost, but ultimately I was greatly helped by their services. The "law" can be expensive, but matters were resolved. THANK you Mr. Rubin.
Excellent firm with extensive experience and knowledge. Our business has worked with Sal Ferlazzo and his associates for the last few years and they've always delivered on time and above expectations. No project is too big or small and they always provide a personal touch. Truly a one-stop shop for all legal needs; highly recommended.
I have worked with the firm while employed at two different school Districts. The service I have received has always been "top notch". Kris always responds to my questions and concerns quickly and provides valuable guidance and insight. I highly recommend Girvin and Ferlazzo to anyone working in a school District.
I was completely blown away by the full service I was given by Daniel Rubin, Sal Ferlazzo and the support staff of this firm! They were by my side from start to finish and able to answer all my questions along the way. Daniel and Sal were very knowledgeable and professional during all our interactions and were prompt in responding to my calls and emails. They made me feel like I was their only client, and gave me their full attention during our meetings, when I know they had their plate full with other cases. I was extremely impressed with their attention to detail and diligence in fully reviewing my case. I never would have imagined I would have gotten the award I received from my personal injury case, when it was all said and done, they continued to follow up with me to make sure I had no further questions or concerns. Lawsuits are never easy, but this team gave me the confidence to see it through with a phenomenal outcome. Thank you Girvin & Ferlazzo for a job well done!
Each and every employee of the firm, from the partners, to the associates, to the legal assistants, to clerical help is attentive and value their clients! In particular, Jay Girvin (Partner) & Erin Morris (Associate) go above and beyond with a high level of legal advice as well as immediate attention on any matter!
The educational legal team is second to none! The guidance and support provided by each team member is consistently on-point and accurate. In my over two-decades in public education, I have not come across a more professional firm! I would be proud to recommend Girvin & Falazzo to any educational organization!
I have worked with several of the attorneys at Girvin & Ferlazzo. They are always timely and responsive in their advice and guidance. I feel supported in my decision making when working with them.
Girvin & Ferlazzo has always served me well for over 20 years. My go to person is Kristine LanChantin, and I have also had significant work experience with Patrick Fitzgerald and Tara Moffett. They are absolutely the best! The level of expertise, personal care, and timely follow through is so appreciated. Having a reliable law firm at my disposal is like having good insurance, you don't like to use it, but boy you sure are glad to have it!
The Girvin and Ferlazzo law firm has consistently served our organization in a professional and competent manner. Through the years, the firm has successfully guided our team through a number of routine, and complex issues. The firm's attorneys are well versed in their practice areas. Both the number of attorneys and when needed, specialization in certain areas of practice have helped us navigate our legal challenges. I am pleased to report that their customer service culture is strong and their billing practices are quite reasonable.
1. Quickest response time among all the lawyers I have worked with, 90% of the time response come back right away,
2. The reason of having such a fast response is having a seamless team work, Daniel and Bonnie together never let the ball drop, either he or she always make sure one of them respond right back to me,
3. Such a seamless teamwork made the case proceed in a smooth and efficient way,
4. Under the guidance of Patrick, Bonnie started a strong and convincing suit right out of the gate, Daniel made a touch down with a settlement one sided in our favor within two weeks that Bonnie initiated the suit,
5. So the whole process is not a tug of war, it was like we started the game with a quarterback throwing the ball to the receiver, then a touch down by this receiver, then the whole game is over, win.
6. My case was very strong, I did not mean they are magicians, however Bonnie and Daniel tried their best to give me magic.
Effective. Efficient. Responsive.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. is a full service general practice law firm that has been serving clients throughout New York State for 25 years. Established in 1991, the firm concentrates its practice in a variety of legal issues. Do you need education or employment lawyers? Our law firm practices within Education, Public and Private Sector Labor and Employment, Litigation law, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Real Estate, Corporate/Business Law, and Collections. Girvin & Ferlazzo’s attorneys are dedicated to the highest standards of legal research, writing, and advocacy. Our lawyers are known for working hard for our clients to attain the best possible result. These values have made us an attractive legal option for clients seeking counsel on small individual matters, municipal issues, or large corporate issues.
