Laura M. Purcell

Laura works with many of the firm’s school district and municipal clients. She returned to private practice at Harris Beach in 2000 after leaving the firm in 1997 to serve as general counsel for the Brighton Central School District. During her three years as general counsel to the district she was a member of the administrative team and provided legal support and advice in all areas of the district’s day to day operations, including labor relations, collective bargaining, employment law matters, special education, student discipline, residency, and annual budget vote issues. Now serving as outside counsel to many of the firm’s school district clients, she continues to provide advice and support in these same areas as well as acting as an advocate for districts in disciplinary hearings, appeals to the Commissioner of Education, PERB proceedings and in other litigated matters in state and federal court.