Best Lawyers in America for Education Law

He has represented clients in state and federal courts at all stages of litigation, from pre-litigation counseling, alternative dispute resolution, trial and appeal. He has also represented clients before a variety of administrative agencies including the EEOC, ICRC, and the Indiana and Michigan Worker's Compensation Agencies. In addition to labor and employment matters, Mark is also a member of the firm's School Law Practice Group, in which he provides a broad range of legal services to prim...

Mr. Garner, a Member of the firm is a trial lawyer specializing in commercial and complex litigation. He has been lead counsel in cases in New Mexico, California, West Virginia, Kansas, Arizona, Indiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, involving complex and class action litigation ranging from asbestos exposure, benzene exposure, mass closings of big box retailers, noise pollution, commercial, banking, bankruptcy and financial litigation. He is admitted to practice before the fede...

Mr. O’Meally is an equity member and Chair of the Labor, Employment and Education department at PK Law. Mr. O’Meally has worked closely with superintendents, boards of education, private schools, and private sector employers for over 36 years on a wide-variety of matters including collective bargaining, employment litigation, Title IX, civil rights litigation, construction and procurement issues, and Open Meetings Act compliance. A 1984 graduate of the University of Maryland Schoo...

Alex Stalvey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Education Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Alex practices law in Greenville, South Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Alex Stalvey since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alex Stalvey is held by other lawyers.

Charles W. (Chuck) Cagle is a shareholder member of the Education Law and Government Relations Practice Group and practices statewide from the Nashville office of the firm. The education law group represents over 70 public boards of education, private schools, charter schools, private universities and a private medical school. Mr. Cagle also serves as the general counsel for the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS).

Dave Pauole is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Civil Rights Law, Education Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Dave practices law in Phoenix, Arizona Best Lawyers has recognized Dave Pauole since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Dave Pauole is held by other lawyers.

Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in our Knoxville office, focuses his practice in employment law, education law, and civil litigation. He represents clients in both state and federal courts across Tennessee and is recognized as a Rule 31 Mediator. Chris is also a trained arbitrator. Prior to his legal career, Chris taught eighth-grade United States history at Seymour Middle School in Seymour, Tennessee. He now serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Chris ...

Tom Smith is dedicated to representing public and private institutions, businesses, and municipalities in litigation and compliance matters. With over 25 years of practice, Tom has handled a diverse array of cases in both state and federal courts. His work includes resolving disputes related to shareholder issues, employment discrimination, commercial contracts, and land use and development challenges. Tom has significant experience as lead counsel in labor negotiations for municipal district...

Teresa Maginn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Education Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Teresa practices law in South Bend, Indiana Best Lawyers has recognized Teresa Maginn since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Teresa Maginn is held by other lawyers.

Zachary Schurin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Education Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Zachary practices law in Hartford, Connecticut Best Lawyers has recognized Zachary Schurin since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Zachary Schurin is held by other lawyers.

A certified specialist in employment and labor law since 1993, M. Malissa Burnette has an extensive history of working toward workplace and social justice. She also has a wealth of experience in family law, personal injury, sexual harassment and discrimination law as well. She practices in state and federal courts, primarily representing individuals in complex employment cases involving discrimination, civil and constitutional rights, breach of contract, covenants to not compete, employment-r...

Peter Barry devotes a substantial portion of his practice to advising tax-exempt organizations, including healthcare and education clients with regard to their activities, with particular emphasis in complex contractual matters, including mergers, affiliations, acquisitions and divestitures. Peter is recognized as a Top-Rated Lawyer in health care by Martindale-Hubbell®, has served as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Public Charities Divisio...

James H. McMackin, III is a partner in Morris James’ Employment Government Relations and Education Practice Group. In the group’s representation of seventeen of Delaware’s nineteen school districts, numerous municipalities, and private employers, he routinely functions as primary counsel in state and federal court and arbitrations concerning wage and hour claims, constitutional claims, discrimination claims, labor grievances, alleged unfair labor practice actions, and employ...

Marsha Belman Moses is a named Senior Partner at Berchem Moses PC who focuses her legal practice in the area of education law, representing boards of education throughout the State of Connecticut over the past 30 years. Her practice includes representing boards of education in special education, transportation, residency, expulsion, teacher discipline and termination matters, as well as collective bargaining negotiations and arbitration hearings. She has represented boards of education in fed...

Bill Nolan serves as managing partner of the firm’s Ohio office, which he opened in 2009. Bill works to bring attentiveness and clarity to bear on employment, contract and other disputes, but is most passionate about helping clients build teams, policies and processes to minimize the frequency, cost and severity of disputes. Bill's litigation and trial work includes covenant not to compete and trade secret cases in many states. He regularly represents employers in discrimination and dis...

Practicing law since 1979, Nancy C. Dougherty is experienced in several practice areas, including higher education law, non-profit and charitable foundation work, governmental law, real estate transactions, museum law, and healthcare. Ms. Dougherty is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, ranked by Best Lawyers in America, and is a former "Influential Women in Business" honoree by Baton Rouge Business Report for both her professional accomplishments and her contributions to the community...