City & State New York
Law Power 100
2023
Ranked #79 on the prestigious Law Power 100 list, recognized as one of the “top social justice attorneys in New York City.” The profile highlighted her work as lead attorney in a high-profile case against the East Ramapo Central School District and representation of teachers and parents in a lawsuit that aimed to overturn cuts to New York City's education budget.
The Law Office of
Laura D. Barbieri, PLLC
Laura D. Barbieri has established a distinguished career as lead counsel in high-profile litigation focused on protecting the rights of students, parents, and employees. Below is a selection of significant cases that have attracted widespread media attention and set important precedents in the areas of civil rights, education law, and disability rights.
Notable Cases
Lawton v. Success Academy Charter Schools — $2.4 Million Judgment
2020
Federal disability discrimination case against Success Academy charter network on behalf of five children ages 4-5 with disabilities who were targeted for removal via a "Got to Go" list. After nearly five years of litigation, the case resulted in a $2.4 million judgment and a precedent-setting determination that federal disability discrimination laws authorize reimbursement of expert fees.
"Success Academy forced these families to withdraw their children by bullying and daily harassment, instead of providing a quality education free from discrimination."
Media Coverage:
Montesa v. Schwartz — East Ramapo Central School District
2014–2017
Federal civil rights lawsuit challenging First Amendment Establishment Clause violations by the East Ramapo Central School District school board, including allegations that public school property was sold below market value to religious institutions and special education funding was improperly diverted. The case was featured on NPR's This American Life.
"This is a First Amendment lawsuit; it alleges violations of First Amendment establishment clause."
PS 25/Eubie Blake Academy School Closure Litigation
2012
Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the closure of PS 25, a high-performing Bedford-Stuyvesant elementary school ranked 2nd best in Brooklyn and 4th in New York City by the Department of Education's own metrics. The case argued that eliminating the only zoned school in the neighborhood violated state law requiring Community Education Council approval.
"The attempt to close P.S. 25 was, in our view, unlawful."
Media Coverage:
Tucker v. City of New York — Education Budget Cuts Challenge
2022
Federal lawsuit challenging $469 million in New York City Department of Education budget cuts enacted in violation of state law when the City Council voted before the Panel for Educational Policy. Won at Supreme Court level with Judge Lyle Frank and obtained a temporary restraining order. The Appellate Court agreed the DOE violated the law.
"We are gratified that the Appellate Court agreed with us on nearly all the issues that we raised in the case, and that going forward the City and the DOE will have to comply with the law."
Media Coverage:
Commissioner's Appeal — Online Learning Parental Consent
2024
Pro bono representation of Class Size Matters and four parent petitioners challenging NYC Department of Education guidance that allowed schools to assign students to online classes without prior parental consent (opt-out rather than opt-in), in violation of state regulations.
"It is critical that parents' rights be upheld to give or withhold their consent prior to their children being put in an online class, as the state regulations require."
Media Coverage:
Thomas v. NYC Board of Education — Public Access to School Leadership Meetings
2015
First Amendment litigation to ensure public access to school leadership team meetings, protecting transparency and parental involvement in school governance decisions.
"Successful litigation ensuring parents' right to attend and participate in school leadership decisions."
Media Coverage:
Recognition
City & State New York Law Power 100
2023
Ranked #79 on the prestigious Law Power 100 list, recognized as one of "two of the top social justice attorneys in New York City." The profile highlighted her work as "lead attorney in a high-profile case against the East Ramapo Central School District" and representation of "teachers and parents in a lawsuit that aimed to overturn cuts to New York City's education budget."
Class Size Matters "Skinny Award"
2017
Awarded for "tireless contributions to equality of access to educational opportunity in New York" in recognition of extensive pro bono advocacy on behalf of public school parents and students.