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Spring Virtual Conference

The National School Attorneys Association (NSAA) hosts Full Court Press: NSAA’s Spring Virtual Conference in March 2025. We’re offering eight hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) over four days: March 3, 11, 19, and 27, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. This online event is designed for school attorneys, providing in-depth sessions on current legal challenges in education. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experienced school attorneys on emerging issues, and earn CLE credits.

Click Here to Register for the below.

Monday, March 3, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time -- Students with Disabilities

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Special Education Boot Camp

Lace up for a special education bootcamp for those new to the practice of special education law or those in need of a refresher. It will include a review of the IDEA, Section 504, the key similarities and differences, and the governing case law, along with a primer on the role of a school district attorney in the special education process.

Kaitlin Atlas and Jennifer Smith, Franczek, Chicago, IL; Brandon Wright, Miller Tracy Braun Funk & Miller, Monticello, IL

3:10 – 4:10 p.m.

Advanced Topics in Special Education

Dive into advanced topics in special education law - what advanced practitioners need to know, but may not. This session will include, but not be limited to, a detailed discussion of student discipline and manifestation determination reviews, expedited due process hearings, student records wrinkles, and other questions that you may have, but are too afraid to ask. Nothing is off limits!

Kaitlin Atlas and Jennifer Smith, Franczek, Chicago, IL; Brandon Wright, Miller Tracy Braun Funk & Miller, Monticello, IL

Tuesday, March 11, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time– First Amendment Free Exercise and Establishment Concerns

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Historical Practices and Understandings: The First Amendment Doctrine That Transformed School Law  

The Supreme Court has gone all in for historical practices and understandings as the guidepost for constitutional interpretation in First Amendment cases, casting aside the Lemon test and other analytical tools relied on by our federal courts for decades. This session would retrace how and why this approach garnered majority support on the Court, which historical practices and understandings may be most relevant to the school setting, the challenge of reconciling different versions of the relevant history, and how school law practitioners should anticipate the implications of this doctrine in advising their clients going forward. Mr. Rubin will focus on employee rights and restrictions.

David Rubin, Busch Law Group, Metuchen, NJ

3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Religion in Schools: Balancing Constitutional Rights and Practical Challenges

This session examines the evolving role of religion in public schools, focusing on the legal framework provided by the First Amendment's Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. Participants will explore recent Supreme Court decisions and their implications for prayer and religious expression. The presentation will also address practical challenges, including accommodating student and employee religious practices, navigating curriculum objections based on religious beliefs, and managing holiday celebrations in diverse communities. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to craft compliant policies, mitigate legal risks, and balance the often-competing interests of various stakeholders.

Juan Cruz and Mario Perez, JCA Law, San Antonio, TX

Wednesday, March 19, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time – Attorney Ethics and Mental Health

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Ethical Foundations for Career Development and Practice Management

Building a successful career as a school lawyer requires more than skill and ambition—it demands a strong foundation in legal ethics. This session will explore key legal ethics considerations that arise in career development and practice management for school attorneys. From maintaining client confidentiality during networking and job searches to managing conflicts of interest in career transitions, attendees will learn how to avoid common pitfalls. We’ll also address ethical obligations in self-promotion, including social media use, and how to build a professional reputation without compromising integrity. Whether you're advancing in your current role or seeking new opportunities, this presentation will provide actionable guidance rooted in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, helping you balance career growth with the high ethical standards required in education law. Perfect for attorneys at all career stages looking to align their career goals with professional responsibilities.

Jackie Wernz, ECR Solutions, Dallas, TX

3:10 – 4:10 p.m.

Mental Health for School Attorneys

In this session, a counselor and former attorney discusses the unique mental health challenges faced by attorneys advising school districts. School attorneys frequently encounter challenging and emotionally charged issues like custody disputes, violence, inappropriate staff behavior, and funding shortfalls. These experiences can take a toll on legal professionals, even resulting in vicarious trauma. This session will offer strategies for managing such trauma and self-care techniques tailored to the pressures of law and education, helping attorneys maintain their well-being while effectively supporting their school district clients. 

Taylor Steffan, Esq., MSW, Navigator Counseling, Richmond, VA

Thursday, March 27, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern time – Students and School Operations

50 Years of Due Process: Reflections on Goss v. Lopez and Its Impact on School Discipline