Liebert Cassidy Whitmore provides
general counsel, labor and litigation advice and assistance to a
variety of educational institutions in all aspects of education
law, employment law and labor relations. Our firm takes a
problem-solving, preventive law approach as legal counsel.
We strive to assist our clients in avoiding liability through
training, workshops and legal advice as matters arise. We
are also, however, experienced in all aspects of hearings,
arbitration and litigation. Members of the Firm have
first-hand experience and in-depth understanding of the special
demands of labor relations and employment law as they apply to
educational institutions. We are known throughout the state for
the breadth and depth of our expertise in representing
independent, private and religious schools, California public
schools and school districts, county offices of education and
community college districts. Our direct experience includes:
Labor Relations and Personnel
- PERB proceedings (representation
cases, unfair practice cases, impasse determination and other
matters)
- Contract administration
(including advice on grievances, handling of arbitrations,
contract interpretation)
- Layoff of certificated/academic
and classified employees
- Discipline of
certificated/academic and classified employees
- Review and drafting of personnel
procedures and policies
- Employee fringe benefits issues
(e.g., FMLA, STRS, PERS, COBRA)
- Wage and hour issues (e.g., FLSA)
- Specially funded employees
- Employment discrimination/civil
rights
- Harassment investigations
- Administrative hearings before
hearing officers, arbitrators and personnel commissions
School and College
Administration
- Budget and finance
- Audits and auditors
- Conflicts of interest
- Voting rights/responsibilities
- Brown Act
Business and Facilities
- Construction contracts and
litigation
- Contracts and purchasing
agreements, and related litigation
- Competitive bidding and contract
award
- Real property (acquisition,
sale, lease, Education Code requirements)
- Intergovernmental agreements
- Foundations and auxiliary
organizations
Student Affairs
- Student discipline (including
harassment)
- Civil Rights (e.g., Title IX)
- First Amendment/freedom of
expression issues
- Instructional/legal issues
- Student permits/attendance
- Bilingual education
Model Policy and Procedures
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore has partnered with the Community
College League of California, to provide a Board Policy and
Administrative Procedure Service. The Service is designed to
assist districts maintain up-to-date Board Policy and
Administrative Procedure manuals, by offering sample policies and
checklists for procedures that implement board policies that are
either legally required, legally advised, or suggested as good
practice. The service also provides workshops and regular
updates reflecting changes in laws, regulations, and other
standards.
Santa Barbara Schools Legal
Services Consortium
This Consortium is composed of a number of school districts in
Santa Barbara County for the purpose of providing the districts
with a variety of legal services on an economical basis.
Included in the services are monthly consultations with LCW
attorneys at County Education offices.
Training Services
LCW has Employment Relations Consortiums comprised solely of
educational institutions. Workshops and reference books
focused on the special issues facing educational institutions are
also available. To learn more, visit the
training section of our website. |
