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Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Partner Presents Legal Update for the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives
Attorney Sarah Spatafore, a Partner at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, presented a Legal Update for the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives (“MOEC”) on April 11, 2022. The MOEC posted about Ms. Spatafore’s presentation on their twitter account last week, stating “This morning, leaders from Collaboratives across the state joined to hear from attorney Sarah Spatafore about a variety of legal updates including a Case Law/Statutory Update, Special Education, Employment Law considerations, and other important reminders.”
Ms. Spatafore began her presentation with a recent case law update, BSEA decisions, as well as a statutory and regulatory update. Her next topic was “Remote Workforce & Employment Law Considerations”, in which she discussed the strategic, operational, and legal considerations to make when deciding to work remotely. She then outlined the important reminders regarding employment law: pay on final workday; break time; FMLA special topics; and absenteeism. Ms. Spatafore also discussed the considerations, pros, and cons for students regarding “BYOD”, or Bring Your Own Device. The final topic Ms. Spatafore spoke about was the intersection of HIPAA and FERPA.
Ms. Spatafore practices primarily in the labor and employment area, representing both public and private clients. Additionally, she handles cases within the Firm’s education law practice. Ms. Spatafore has represented clients before a number of courts and administrative tribunals at both the state and federal level. She regularly conducts seminars and training programs on unlawful harassment, preventing discrimination, and a variety of other labor and employment issues, and she has completed all the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination-certified “Train-the-Trainer” courses. Ms. Spatafore graduated from Bates College in 2007 and received her Juris Doctor, with Honors, from Boston College Law School in 2012. While in law school, Ms. Spatafore interned at the Massachusetts Superior Court and was a member of the Jessup International Moot Court team. She was a co-recipient of the third year best oralist award at Boston College Law School. Ms. Spatafore is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and the United States Court of Appeals First Circuit.
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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