Gladstein, Reif & Meginniss, LLP has an established practice dedicated to addressing the unique needs of faculty members and academics in New York and New Jersey. For decades, our attorneys have helped clients navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of higher education. We have represented faculty members at institutions both small and large, public and private, ranging from community colleges to Ivy Leagues. Whether we are representing an individual academic or an entire bargaining unit, our firm is deeply committed to advancing the rights of faculty members and to helping ensure an effective working relationship between them and the institutions that they serve.
What Does Representing Faculty Groups/Bargaining Units Entail?
Our attorneys provide counsel and advocacy across the full spectrum of issues that faculty groups encounter, including but not limited to:
- Shared governance
- Academic freedom
- Faculty handbooks
- Collective bargaining agreements
- Other contracts
We also provide support with respect to traditional labor law issues, such as:
- Organizing campaigns
- Collective bargaining negotiations
- Unfair labor practice charges (or improper practice charges, for New York State institutions governed by the Taylor Law)
Our attorneys’ expertise lies at the intersection of traditional labor law and higher education.
What Does Representing Individual Educators Entail?
We help academics navigate various matters that impact their careers, such as decisions and appeals regarding:
- Tenure
- Promotion
- Reappointment
- Contract Renewal
We have won tenure for faculty after denial and successfully negotiated many individual settlement agreements, including but not limited to tenure buy-outs.
We have also successfully represented faculty in:
- Disciplinary actions, including those involving alleged misconduct or disputes over academic freedom
- Sensitive EEO complaints involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, under Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, ensuring that our clients’ rights are protected in investigations
Litigation for Academics:
When necessary to enforce our faculty clients’ rights, our firm has aggressively litigated on their behalf winning, for example:
- An important precedent holding that a faculty handbook is enforceable in court as a matter of contract law
- A lawsuit that resulted in the removal of all but one of the members of Adelphi University’s Board of Trustees for breach of their fiduciary duty
- Discrimination claims against their institutions
At Gladstein, Reif & Meginniss LLP, we approach all higher education matters with rigor, a deep understanding of both the law and the academic environment, and an unwavering commitment to the academic community.
Contact us to discuss your legal needs.