My name is Erin O’Grady-Parent, and I am honored to serve as the President of the New York State Association of School Attorneys (NYSASA) for the 2026 calendar year.
NYSASA is an organization comprised of New York State attorneys who represent the interests of public school districts and BOCES by providing legal advice and counsel to boards of education and those working in our State’s public schools and programs. In this capacity, our members are proud to play a role in helping support public education in New York State, and the youngsters in our public schools.
There is no question that the pace of change in the practice of school law has continued to accelerate over time. Each year, our clients are faced with new laws, challenges and uncertainties which implicate various legal issues. Surely, 2026 will prove to be no exception. Our Association, and its members, stand ready to help our clients navigate these legal issues and challenges in the coming year.
One of the tremendous benefits of NYSASA is its strong network of attorneys who are devoted to the practice of school law. This network enables our members to keep each other abreast of new developments in the law, and statewide and regional trends, benefiting both our members and clients. This year, we anticipate rolling out an updated version of the NYSASA website, including a enhanced community forum, which will better enable our members to engage in discussions on important and timely legal issues.
As in the past, in 2026 NYSASA plans to offer our members several professional development opportunities, including NYSASA’s annual three-day School Attorneys’ Conference in the early summer and an annual ethics webinar in the Spring. In addition, we are pleased to continue our long-standing tradition of co-sponsoring the New York State School Boards Association Annual Pre-Convention Law School Law Seminar to be held in Buffalo in October 2026. This well-attended event is an outstanding opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the law from the State’s most experienced practitioners of school law.
If you are already a member of NYSASA, I encourage you to participate in our Association, by volunteering for one of our many committees or events. If you are a practicing school attorney who is not yet a member of NYSASA, I encourage you to consider joining the Association so you can enjoy the many benefits of membership. If you have any questions about membership, please feel free to contact me at