News

Partner with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane Named President of the Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys (COSA)

Kevin Bresnahan, a partner with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, was named President of the Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys (COSA) during their annual meeting on December 6, 2019. The COSA officers are made up of an executive committee comprised of president, president-elect, two members at large, a past president, and ex officio.

Emerging Issues in Education Law 2019 took place at the UMASS Club in Boston. Melissa Murphy, Esq., current President of COSA was the program moderator for the meeting. Kevin Bresnahan spoke on the recent Dedham teachers strike during the annual meeting. Interesting cases were presented by local attorneys during the afternoon meeting. Before the conclusion of the meeting, the election of officers and steering committee took place. Kevin Bresnahan was installed as the 2020 President of COSA.

COSA was formed in 1997 to provide information and practical assistance to attorneys who represent public school districts, COSA with the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Council of School Attorneys is a membership organization of more than 40 affiliate state councils and more than 3000 attorneys nationwide who work to improve the practice of school law and prevent lawsuits against public schools.

Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP is known throughout New England for its labor and employment practice. In addition the firm has an extensive education law practice representing more than one hundred and fifty public, private and nonprofit educational institutions through the collegiate level.

Latest News

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

On April 19, 2024, the United States Department of Education (“DOE”) issued final regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations go into effect on August 1, 2024, so school districts are encouraged to review their policies and procedures and provide staff training on these new regulations as soon as possible. The final regulations continue to list specific elements that must be included in any policy, such as range of disciplinary actions, standards of evidence, and procedures. The DOE has provided template policies here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/resource-nondiscrimination-policies.pdf and Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane will be creating model policies and notice letters as well.

Legal Updates

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUES REVISED TITLE IX REGULATIONS

On April 19, 2024, the United States Department of Education (“DOE”) issued final regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations go into effect on August 1, 2024, so school districts are encouraged to review their policies and procedures and provide staff training on these new regulations as soon as possible. The final regulations continue to list specific elements that must be included in any policy, such as range of disciplinary actions, standards of evidence, and procedures. The DOE has provided template policies here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/resource-nondiscrimination-policies.pdf and Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane will be creating model policies and notice letters as well.

Braintree, MA

50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 410,
Braintree, MA 02184

Boston, MA

75-101 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110

Tel: (617) 479-5000
Tel: (888) 841-4850
Fax: (617) 479-6469

Quincy, MA

Crown Colony Plaza
300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 410
P.O. Box 9126
Quincy, MA 02169-9126

© 2024 Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Website by Interactive Palette