Laura Dawn Barbieri
Special Counsel
Advocates for Justice
Special Counsel
October 2012 – Present
Lead counsel for East Ramapo Central School District Litigation, a federal law suit brought by parents and students against certain former and current School Board members. The lawsuit alleges multiple claims against Board members including that they:
• Diverted funds to promote their own religion and private religious schools.
• Discriminated against and segregated students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, and religion.
• Gutted the funding of the public schools
• Denied students their right to a sound basic education.
She litigates principally Education Law cases, and cases arising under Individuals with Disabilities In Education Act. Advocates for Justice is a New York based,
non-profit, public interest law firm.
Schoeman, Updike & Kaufman, LLP
Partner
December 1995 – October 2008
Litigated dozens of cases, including multiple claims, brought by and against multiple parties, and in varying federal, state, local, and administrative venues Authored, edited, and researched thousands of documents, including specialized legal memoranda, client memoranda, articles, and reports Collaborated with client executives, managers, and staff to develop and administer workplace policies and practices designed to engage all collegially, avert conflict, and avoid litigation Provided comprehensive and strategic defense against claims of discrimination – because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disabilities, gender, wrongful termination, constructive discharge, hostile work environment, failure to promote, and other employment claims, based on alleged violations of civil rights statutes Represented educational organizations, including private universities, secondary and primary schools, and child-care agencies. Also represented a variety of religious organizations, including church congregations, synagogues, synods and parochial schools. Practice included specialized knowledge and experience counseling religious organizations with employment matters, property acquisitions and sales, and compliance with New York’s Religious Corporations Law and Not-For-Profit Law.
Pace University School of Law
Adjunct Professor
August 1995 – May 2005
White Plains, New York
Taught classes in the following subjects:
Appellate Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, White Collar Crime, Criminal Law Prosecutorial Ethics , Negotiations
Faculty Advisor
National Moot Court Competitions, 2002-2004
National Health Law Moot Court Competitions, 2000-2002
Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York
Chief, Charities, Trusts & Estates Bureau
September 1994 – August 1995
Provided direct substantive and administrative support to highest level executives in all subject-related matters, including all litigation, budgets, correspondence, and personnel supervision
NYC Department of Corrections
Deputy Commissioner, Investigations and Health Management Services
July 1993 – August 1994
Provided direct substantive and administrative support to highest level executives in all subject-related matters, including all litigation, budgets, correspondence, and personnel supervision.Chair, Substance Abuse Task Force
Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York
Assistant Attorney General – Civil and Criminal Divisions
August 1990 – July 1993
White Plains, New York
Task Force Attorney, prosecuting Traditional and Non-Traditional Organized Crime. Handled civil forfeiture and asset seizure cases
Kings County District Attorney
Supervising Assistant District Attorney
1984 – 1990
Education
1981 – 1984
Pace University School of Law, JD
1977 – 1981
Franklin & Marshall College, Bachelor of Arts, Accounting; Int'l