Frances L. Febres, Esq.

Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, LLC (CGAJ) has long been recognized for its experience and depth of knowledge in school law. Over the years, the firm’s attorneys have earned statewide recognition for their work in the education sector, including acknowledgment from organizations such as the New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group. CGAJ maintains longstanding relationships with its education clients and provides comprehensive legal counsel to school boards and educational institutions on a wide range of issues affecting the operation and governance of schools.

Drawing on the extensive experience of its attorneys, CGAJ assists education clients in numerous areas of legal compliance and governance. The firm regularly advises on matters including bid drafting and specifications, special education, contracts, First Amendment issues, employee and student civil rights, construction and land use, bonding, school ethics, labor negotiations, and employee and student discipline. Through a collaborative team approach, the firm is able to provide cost-effective representation while offering clients a full spectrum of services. CGAJ also handles trial and appellate litigation and represents clients before state and federal administrative agencies, frequently appearing before the Commissioner of Education, the Civil Service Commission, the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission, the Division on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of Administrative Law.

CGAJ also provides extensive counsel in special education matters. The firm regularly advises school districts and education professionals on issues involving Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), child study team (CST) training, student record review, resolution sessions, mediations, and due process hearings before the Office of Administrative Law. In addition, the firm frequently counsels CST members on student-specific issues and compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

In the area of school construction, CGAJ routinely drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts and bid specifications for school development projects. The firm works closely with school administrators, attorneys, engineers, architects, and other professionals involved in the construction process. CGAJ assists clients in navigating issues involving financing options, federal and state grants, regulatory compliance, environmental permitting, condemnation, performance and payment bond defaults, and insurance contract interpretation. From the earliest evaluation of bid disputes and construction claims through change orders and project completion, the firm provides guidance at every stage of the process, working proactively with project participants to resolve issues before formal dispute resolution or litigation becomes necessary.