Sagamore 2023

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22nd ANNUAL SCHOOL ATTORNEY LAW CONFERENCE

Come on Down . . . You’re the Next Contestant for School Law 2023!

June 2- 4, 2023
The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York

Presented by
The New York State Association of School Attorneys
in conjunction with
The New York State School Boards Association

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES

Conference Registration Deadline: May 19, 2023
Refunds will not be granted for cancellations received after May 19, 2023. All cancellations must be made in writing to the New York State School Boards Association. No-shows will be billed at the full registration fee.

For cancellations or registration modifications, please email Tami Beaudette at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "NYSASA 2023 Registration."

Conference Registration Fees:
NYSASA Member Rate: $485 Nonmember Rate: $550*
Fees include refreshment breaks, lunch on Saturday, the Saturday evening barbecue and materials, and a non-refundable $75 administrative fee. *Receive a $65 credit toward NYSASA membership if you join within 30 days of the conference. Contact Greg Guercio, Treasurer of NYSASA, at 516.694.3000 for more details.

You may also register guests/spouses/child(ren) at a participant rate, which includes meals only. No program or materials will be provided to guests.

Guest Rate:

Adult (18+ years): $156
Teenager (13 –18 years): $132
Child(ren) (6 – 12 years): $52
Child(ren) (3 – 5 years): $34
Child(ren) (Under 3 years): $0

There is no additional fee required for attending the “Education Law Basics” portion of the conference (Friday, June 2, from 1:50 – 5:40 p.m.). However, please indicate on your online registration form if you plan on attending this portion of the conference.

Conference Materials:
A few days before the conference a link to download and preview the conference materials will be emailed to you. Free Wi-Fi will be provided at the conference site.

LODGING • THE SAGAMORE

NYSASA has reserved a room block at The Sagamore until May 2, 2023. Everyone must be registered for the conference before a room can be booked. A computer-generated registration confirmation will be emailed after each registration is completed. It will include lodging information. To secure the negotiated rate, all room reservations must be made by the reservation cut-off date of May 2, 2023. After the cut-off date, reservations will be accepted based upon availability and at the prevailing rate. Note: dependent upon demand, rooms may become unavailable prior to May 2, 2023.

A credit card is required to confirm each reservation. A nonrefundable $35 processing fee will be charged at the time of booking. The balance of the stay will be charged to the card on file 14 days prior to the arrival date. For cancellations more than 14 days prior to arrival, the $35 processing fee will be forfeited. For cancellations less than 14 days prior to arrival, the total amount will be forfeited. For no shows on the scheduled arrival date, reservations will be cancelled, and the amount collected will be forfeited.

Based on the type and the location of the guest room, the rates for lodge rooms or suites and hotel rooms or suites range from $259 to $459 per night for single or double occupancy. These rates are subject to a taxed resort fee of $20 per room per day, as well as 7% state and local taxes and 4% Warren County Occupancy Tax. For each additional person (over two people) ages 13 and up sharing a room, there will be an additional room charge of $30 per person per day.

The Sagamore provides an 18-hole golf course, luxury spa, tennis courts, trails, boating, private beach, indoor/outdoor pools and a fitness center.

13.0 CLE CREDITS***
10.5 credit hours of Professional Practice
1.0 credit hour of Ethics and Professionalism
1.5 credit hour of Diversity, Inclusion, Elimination of Bias

New York State Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits: This program is approved for 13.0 CLE credit hours (10.5 in Professional Practice, 1.0 in Ethics and Professionalism, and 1.5 in Diversity, Inclusion, Elimination of Bias). The content is appropriate for both newly admitted and experienced attorneys.

Important Notice: Partial credit for program segments not allowed. Partial credit for program segments not allowed. Under the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board Regulations and Guidelines, attendees at CLE programs cannot receive MCLE credit for a program segment unless they are present for the entire segment. Persons who arrive late, depart early, or are absent for any portion of the segment will not receive credit for that segment.

Tuition Assistance: Application for tuition assistance to attend this program may be made based on financial hardship. Under that policy, an applicant who has a genuine financial hardship may apply in writing not later than five working days prior to the program, explaining the basis of his/her hardship, and, if approved, may receive tuition assistance, depending upon the circumstances. For more details, please contact Jay Worona, NYSSBA, at 518.783.0200 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

***Includes credit hours for attending Education Law Basics

More Information

For more information about the conference, visit www.nysasa.org, or contact Phyllis Secor, Executive Assistant to Jay Worona at 518.783.3773 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Program Planning Committee:
Alyson Mathews, Esq., Lamb & Barnosky, LLP, co-chair
Andrew J. Freedman, Esq. Hodgson Russ LLP, co-chair
Julie M. Shaw, Esq., Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP
Erin M. O’Grady-Parent, Esq., Guercio & Guercio, LLP
Pilar Sokol, Esq., New York State School Boards Association
Christie R. Jacobson, Esq., Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Candace J. Gomez, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

Agenda

Friday, June 2, 2023

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.	NYSASA Board of Directors' Meeting
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Registration for Education Law Basics and Main Conference
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Registration for Main Conference
EDUCATION LAW BASICS
1:50 - 2:00 p.m.	Introduction and Welcome Julie M. Shaw, Esq., President, NYSASA
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.	"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" - A Step-by-Step Guide to Defending SDHR and EEOC Cases Attorneys routinely respond to claims of discrimination filed with the New York State Division on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The panel will provide an overview of the process, best practices for drafting effective position statements, and tips for conferences, mediation and hearings. Melanie J. Beardsley, Esq., Partner, Webster Szanyi LLP Subhash Viswanathan, Esq., Member, Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC Caroline Downey, Esq., General Counsel, NYS Division of Human Rights
3:15 – 3:25 p.m.	Break
3:25 - 4:15 p.m.	“Press Your Luck” – Construction Law Basics The panel will provide an overview of the major parties involved in municipal construction contracts, contractual and legal issues relating to construction contracts, best practices, and handling the unexpected during the construction process. Christopher F. Mestecky, Esq., Partner, Guercio & Guercio, LLP Lindsay Townsend Crocker, Esq., Partner, Lamb & Barnosky, LLP
4:15 - 4:25 p.m.	Break
4:25 - 5:40 p.m.	“Family Feud” – How to Survive the Epic Battle of the Public v. the Board of Education The panel will present a mock Board of Education meeting and provide guidance on how to plan for the expected and unexpected challenges. Neil M. Block, Esq., Partner, Ingerman Smith, LLP Dana A. Lundberg, Esq., Partner, Lundberg Price P.C. Lindsay A. Menasco, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP Lawrence J. Tenenbaum, Esq., Partner, Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP
6:00 - 6:15 p.m.	Introduction and Welcome Julie M. Shaw, Esq., President, NYSASA
6:15 - 7:30 p.m.	Cracker Barrel – A Conversation with SED Counsel Learn what the counsel to the State Education Department sees as the issues that school attorneys will need to address in the year ahead. Daniel Morton-Bentley, Esq., Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, NYS Education Department Jay Worona, Esq., Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel, New York State School Boards Association
7:30 p.m.	Dinner on Your Own

Saturday, June 3 , 2023

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.	Registration for Main Conference
8:30 - 8:40 a.m.	Introduction and Welcome Alyson Mathews, Esq., Co-Chair 2023 Annual Sagamore Conference Program and First Vice President, NYSASA
8:40 - 9:30 a.m.	“Jeopardy” – Anticipating the Defense in Employee Disciplinary Hearings The presentation will provide a look at employee disciplinary hearings from the viewpoint of the attorney defending the employee. Beginning with the psychology of the accused employee at the outset of the process and continuing through the final steps of the hearing process, the focus will be on what defenses to anticipate and how to better prepare for a disciplinary case. The panel will review the effective use of settlements, the behind-the-scenes process of representing an employee, cases that may be cited against you, and pitfalls to anticipate. Anthony J. Brock, Esq., The Law Office of Anthony J. Brock Heather M. Cole, Esq., Partner, Ferrara Fiorenza PC
9:30 - 9:40 a.m.	Break
9:40 - 10:30 a.m.	“Win, Lose or Draw” – Student Athletes’ Profiting Off of Name, Image & Likeness In October of 2021, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) revised its amateur athlete rule to permit student-athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Student-athletes now may use their NIL to monetize their athletic fame by receipt of compensation, endorsements, or gifts of monetary value, “ . . . provided there is no school team, school, Section, or NYSPHSAA affiliation.” The panel will review the rule, its implications, and best practices for school districts. Pamela D. Bass, Esq., Partner, Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petrigrow & Mayle, LLP Neelanjan Choudhury, Esq., Partner, Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petrigrow & Mayle, LLP
10:30 - 11:20 a.m.	“$100,000 Pyramid” – Best Practices for Ensuring that Your Clients Build Solid IEPs and Navigating the Ins and Outs of Impartial Hearings School attorneys are uniquely positioned to help their clients build solid IEPs that will stand up in an impartial hearing. The panel will review common mistakes in drafting IEPs and how to address them in an impartial hearing. The panelists will also provide an overview of the various procedural and substantive issues involved in impartial hearings including the approach that parents take. Lakshmi Mergeche, Esq., Partner, Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP Tara L. Moffett, Esq., Partner, Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
11:20 - 11:30 a.m.	Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.	“Match Game” – Identifying and Resolving Mental Health Issues Among Students and Staff The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and, at times brought to light, mental health issues among students and staff. The panel will provide an overview of the legal considerations at play including The Red Flag Law, Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Human Rights Law. Candace J. Gomez, Esq., Member, Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP Monica R. Lenahan, Esq., Partner, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
12:20 - 12:45 p.m.	NYSASA Annual Meeting for Members Election of NYSASA Directors and Officers and approval of NYSASA’s Legislative Agenda
12:45 - 1:45 p.m.	Lunch (included with registration)
1:45 - 6:30 p.m.	Take advantage of resort activities
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.	Reception and Barbeque (included with registration)

Sunday, June 4, 2023

8:40 - 8:50 a.m.	Introduction and Welcome Andrew J. Freedman, Esq., Co-Chair 2023 Annual Sagamore Conference Program and Fourth Year Director, NYSASA
8:50 - 9:40 a.m.	“Deal or No Deal” – Navigating the Impasse Resolution Process Despite best efforts, collective bargaining may end up at an impasse. The panel will provide an overview of the impasse resolution process as well as strategies for effectively representing school districts in mediation and fact finding. Sharon N. Berlin, Esq., Partner, Lamb & Barnosky, LLP Steven G. Carling, Esq., Senior Counsel, Harris Beach PLLC
9:40 - 10:55 a.m.	“Brain Games” – Our Brains, Implicit Bias and Legal Practice Underneath implicit bias is data surrounding brain science. After providing some of the data, the panelists will engage in a frank and open discussion about disrupting bias in ourselves. Through the use of examples, we will learn how to own our missteps as well as how to correct them in a manner that fosters inclusion within our law practices and with our clients. Dr. John Coverdale, The Center For Workplace Solutions Kimberly Wolf Price, Esq. Professional Development and Diversity Officer, Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP
10:55 - 11:05 a.m.	Break
11:05 - 11:55 a.m.	“Don’t Forget the Lyrics” – How to Effectively and Ethically Respond to Media Inquiries Attorneys are often put on the spot when handling media inquiries on behalf of their clients. The panel will review the applicable ethical considerations including when an attorney can speak to the media and the contents of the communication. In addition, the panel will offer recommendations on communicating with the press in a manner that will ensure effective client representation. Steven A. Goodstadt, Esq., Partner, Ingerman Smith, LLP Joshua S. Shteierman, Esq., Partner, Volz & Vigliotta, PLLC
11:55 a.m.	Adjourn

Sagamore 2023

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