Online Legal Summit Series: Tips, Traps, and Best Practices in Responding to Complaints from All Directions
Online
Tips, Traps, and Best Practices in Responding to Complaints from All Directions
Presented by Phillipa Gage Lilienthal, Schwartz Hannum PC
Does your school have the infrastructure in place to triage, investigate, and resolve complaints received from parents, students, alums, employees, and anonymous sources? In an interactive session using real-world scenarios, we will explore policies and procedures that schools will ideally implement to establish the best possible foundation for responding to complaints.
About the Presenter: Phillipa Gage Lilienthal
Phillipa Gage Lilienthal is Counsel at Schwartz Hannum PC, a firm which specializes in education, employment, and labor law. She advises clients on a variety of student, employee and governance-related matters including best practices in Board governance and risk management, as well as compliance issues such as handbooks and bylaws review. Pippa is a trusted advisor to heads of schools, presidents, board chairs, deans, business officers, and other independent school leaders. She is a cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School, a magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College and a Sidwell Friends School “lifer.”Navigating Today's Challenges:
Key Legal Issues Impacting Independent Schools
Presented by Sarah Fay, Schwartz Hannum PC
Experienced education and employment lawyer Sarah Fay will lead a dynamic discussion on the top legal issues facing independent schools in 2024. This session will cover critical topics such as building robust student health and safety infrastructures, navigating student discipline litigation, proactively addressing employee complaints, and considering institutional neutrality and voice in today’s climate. Attendees will benefit from practical insights through real-world case studies and interactive dialogue designed to uncover actionable solutions. Sarah will help school leaders anticipate challenges and implement strategies to promote a legally sound and supportive school environment.
About the Presenter: Sarah Fay
Sarah Fay is the Managing Partner at Schwartz Hannum PC, a law firm that focuses on education, employment, and labor law. With experience representing educational institutions nationwide, Sarah is a trusted advisor to independent school leaders. She assists in the many facets of risk management for schools, including governance issues, student and employee disciplinary matters, and sexual abuse allegations, and the development of key compliance documents. Sarah is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. She is an American Bar Foundation Fellow and was honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a Top Woman of Law in 2023.Hot Topics in Employment Law for 2025
Presented by Bonnie Young, Partner, Fox Rothchild
Join Bonnie for an overview of current employment law topics affecting Independent Schools. This session will cover key issues school personnel need to understand, including
- social media usage by staff and board members
- the impact of AI
- diversity and inclusion practices
- religious accommodations
- pressing social concerns that shape employment policies
From training on race discrimination and implicit bias to navigating today’s evolving legal landscape, Bonnie’s insights will equip school leaders with the knowledge to foster a legally compliant and inclusive school environment.
About the Presenter: Bonnie A. Young
Bonnie A. Young, a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, brings over 20 years of experience in labor and employment law, representing private employers and K-12 schools across Pennsylvania. She advises school entities on Title IX compliance and defends them in employment-related litigation in both state and federal courts. With a focus on risk mitigation, Bonnie provides strategic counsel on issues such as employee terminations, discrimination, harassment, and labor relations.
As a member of the firm’s Education Law Group, Bonnie regularly represents school districts and intermediate units in litigation, including appearances before the EEOC and Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. Certified by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), she leads training on Title IX compliance, gender discrimination, and trauma response for school professionals.
A seasoned presenter, Bonnie frequently speaks to administrators and HR professionals on employment and education issues. She holds a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and federal courts. Bonnie has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers and a leader in her field by The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly.
Mission: Impossible?
Data Privacy and the New Age of AI
Presented by Marc Lombardi and Dan Schwartz, Shipman & Goodman LLP
Rapid change is happening right before our eyes. AI and its subset, Generative AI, are transforming how we work and the workplace. At the same time, data privacy and safeguarding data have become exponentially harder with all of these new forms of technology. Can schools accomplish this seemingly impossible mission? This presentation will self-destruct in five seconds only after you discover that part of this was written by ChatGPT.
About the Presenters:
Marc Lombardi
Marc Lombardi chairs Shipman’s Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation Practice Group, bringing over 20 years of experience in privacy law. A former software architect, Marc combines technical and legal expertise to address clients' complex privacy and data protection challenges, particularly in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and government. He provides strategic guidance across the data lifecycle, including privacy compliance, cybersecurity, breach response, and regulatory adherence.Marc’s counsel covers key regulations such as HIPAA, GLBA, CCPA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. His focus on emerging technologies enables clients to manage data securely, leverage digital assets, and invest in innovation, all while maintaining regulatory compliance. Previously, as Deputy General Counsel for Yale New Haven Health System, he led data incident response teams and advised on intellectual property strategies, ensuring data security and compliance. Marc’s dual background in law and technology positions him uniquely to support clients in data-intensive industries.
Dan Schwartz
Dan Schwartz is a seasoned employment law attorney with extensive experience helping companies, including Fortune 500 firms, technology and financial services companies, schools, and non-profits navigate complex employment issues and avoid litigation. Known for his practical approach and in-depth knowledge, he advises on matters from employee investigations and terminations to compliance with federal and state employment regulations, restrictive covenants, and wage and hour issues. Dan also represents clients in employment-related litigation, including cases involving discrimination, whistleblower claims, and trade secrets, and serves as a respected mediator in Connecticut.
In 2023, Dan was inducted into the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, recognizing his contributions to the field. An influential voice in employment law, he authors the widely respected Connecticut Employment Law Blog, recognized by the ABA Journal and archived by the Library of Congress. Dan is also a dedicated community leader, serving in the American Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Foundation, and other organizations. Outside work, he enjoys trivia, skiing, and restaurant reviewing.
HOW IT WORKS
- Only 1 registration is needed per school.
- All administrators and faculty will have access to all for 60-minute webinars and their recordings, which will be available for one year.
- The person who registers will become the school's Primary Contact Person. This Primary Contact Person will be the only person to receive communications from ADVIS with the webinar Zoom links and any other details about the Legal Summit Series. The Primary Contact Person is responsible for sharing all information with their school faculty and staff.
PROGRAM FEES
ADVIS Member School - $350 per school
Non-Member School - $700 per school
Not sure if your school is a Member?
Check our list of ADVIS Member Schools.
THANK YOU TO OUR
PREFERRED SPONSOR
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Only 1 REGISTRATION is needed PER SCHOOL to access the four 60-minute live webinars and their recordings, which will be available for one year.
PRIMARY CONTACT
The person who registers the school for the series will become the school's Primary Contact Person. This Primary Contact Person will be the only person to receive communications from ADVIS with the webinar Zoom links, the recording links, and any other details about the Legal Summit Series program. The Primary Contact Person is responsible for sharing all information with their school faculty and staff.
RECORDINGS
Webinars will be recorded and available to registered schools. Links to all recordings will be shared with the Primary Contact Person, who will be responsible for sharing the information with their school. Recordings must only be accessed by schools that registered for the 2024-25 Legal Summit Series. Please do not share the recording links with others outside your school community.
ACCESSIBILITY
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Please feel free to request an accommodation on the registration form. For inquiries about accessibility, please contact Membership and Outreach Manager Candyce Wilson. At least two weeks' advance notice will help us to provide seamless access.
EVENT CONTACT
Dena Torino, Director of Programming
No refunds will be provided for the Legal Summit Series.