advocates 
for justice
chartered attorneys

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

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Education

 

1981 – 1984

Pace University School of Law, JD

 

1977 – 1981

Franklin & Marshall College, Bachelor of Arts, Accounting; Int'l

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