Lester Taylor Speaks About Representing Educators

Lester Taylor[Photo Credit: J Taylor Design.]

On April 28,  Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor name partner Lester Taylor participated in a webcast, "Representing School Employees and Boards of Education in Employment Law Cases," presented in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section and the association's School Law Special Committee. Taylor joined other panelists, including Arsen Zartarian, chair of the NJSBA School Law Committee and counsel to Newark Public Schools; Maria M. LePore, chief counsel of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators; and Keith Waldman of Selikoff & Cohen in Mount Laurel. The panel offered information and practice tips on how to effectively represent school boards, teachers, supervisors, or other school employees. Topics included return to work, accommodations, regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, reductions in force, the First Amendment, social media, board ethics, and a discussion of Ali v. Woodbridge and Rozenblit v. Lyles. The program offered 4.5 hours of total CLE credit. In his practice, Taylor represents counties, municipalities, and boards of education. He served as mayor of East Orange from 2014-2017. He graduated from Montclair State University and earned his J.D. from Howard University School of Law.

Hoboken Charter School Hosts Presentation on Social Justice and Hate Crimes

Nicholas F. Pellitta                                  [ Photo Credit: Lynn Goodwin. ]

Nicholas F. Pellitta, a partner at  Norris McLaughlin in Bridgewater, presented "Social Justice and Hate Crimes in New Jersey" virtually to 11th- and 12th-grade students at Hoboken Charter School on May 17. The presentation covered the law governing bias-related incidents and hate crimes in New Jersey. Pellitta covered the crimes and the New Jersey law that governs them, addressing the increase in bias-related incidents throughout the state and country; how hate crimes are prosecuted, including the proofs required to convict and the rights of victims; and the issue of bias-related incidents in schools and student conduct. In his practice, Pellitta represents colleges and universities in tort claims defense, campus security, alcohol policies, police litigation, civil rights and student discipline. He has represented the Rutgers Police Department and has provided in-house training and advice on police-related matters. Representative clients include Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Seton Hall University and Monmouth University, the announcement noted. He also handles the defense of criminal charges, juvenile delinquency, and similar offenses. Pellitta earned his J.D. from New York Law School and his B.A. from Rutgers University.