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Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Attorneys Present on Fundamental Examination and Review of Education Law
The Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) presented a School Law: MCLE BasicsPlus! Seminar titled “Fundamental Examination and Review of Education Law”. Mary Ellen Sowyrda, a Partner, and Felicia Vasudevan, both from MHTL, were speakers at the seminar. This two-day seminar discussed and examined the important details of education law. There were several experienced attorneys present to teach about statutes, federal and state cases, privacy and confidentiality problems, and a look at student conduct issues such as bullying and discrimination.
Daniel W. Ahearn, Esq., began the first day of the seminar with introductions and was followed by “School Law: Key Statues & Regulations” presented by Rhoda E. Schneider, Esq., then Mary Ellen Sowyrda, Esq. of MHTL presented “Special Education Law” with Daniel T.S. Heffernan, Esq. and Mr. Ahearn. She also presented the next session, “School Law: 504/ADA” with Mr. Ahearn. The second day of the seminar began with Mr. Ahearn wrapping up the segment on 504/ADA, followed by Ms. Sowyrda’s presentation on “School Law: Privacy & Confidentiality”, then she was joined by Ashley Francisque, Esq., for “School Law: Student Conduct”. The next session revolves around Title IX, and was presented by Mr. Ahearn, Michele Gershman Scavongelli, Ms. Sowyrda and her MHTL colleague, Felicia S. Vasudevan, Esq. The final session of the seminar was presented by Ms. Scavongelli, Mr. Heffernan and Mr. Ahearn, where they discussed “COVID-19 Issues and Implications in School Law”.
Mary Ellen Sowyrda is a partner in the firm and heads the Special Education Department within Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane, LLP. The firm currently represents more than 125 school districts and educational collaboratives in the practice area of Special Education Law. She is involved in all aspects of litigation and alternative dispute resolution at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals, including representing clients at hearings, settlement conferences, pre-hearing conferences and mediations. She provides clients with daily advice on school-related legal issues including all aspects of special education, Section 504, student discipline, student records and anti-bullying laws, and deals with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other state agencies that are associated with the provision of special education services to students.
Ms. Vasudevan is an attorney in the firm’s Education Law and Special Education Law Groups, working in regular and special education issues. She represents school districts in all aspects of special education litigation, from administrative hearings at the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) through to all levels of judicial appeal. Ms. Vasudevan received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University, with a major in Public Policy. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Prior to law school, she taught high school mathematics for two years in San Jose, California, as part of Teach for America, and trained the incoming Teach for America Corps Members at Teach for America’s Summer Institute.
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Partner Prevails in U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Attorney Felicia Vasudevan, a partner at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, received a favorable decision on behalf of her client, Marshfield Public Schools. The Plaintiff appealed the district court’s judgement that upheld a decision of the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (“BSEA”). However, as the notice was filed more than 30 days after entry, the First Circuit ultimately dismissed the appeal for being untimely. The Plaintiff also appealed the district court’s order, denying her motion to vacate. Read More
New Features of Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
Following our Alert from March 16, 2023, Civility is Dead – The Supreme Court Rules Municipal Control of Public Speak Limited to Reasonable Time/Place/Manner Restrictions, which discussed the holding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Barron v. Kolenda and the Town of Southborough (SJC-13284), we promised to bring you more detailed guidance on developing a Public Speak policy for your public body or municipality. The Barron case involved a constitutional challenge to the Town of Southborough’s public comment policy, which attempted to impose a code of civility on members of the public who participated in public comment before public bodies. In Barron, the court interpreted the state constitution to mean that public bodies may request, but not require, that public commentators be respectful and courteous. Instead, a public body may set restrictions on reasonable time, place, and manner comments to ensure that the meeting retains an orderly and peaceable manner.

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