Sara M. Richmond

A member of Bond’s School Law and Employment practice groups, Sara regularly counsels public, private and charter schools in Westchester County, on Long Island and within the greater New York City region.

In addition to serving as president of a city school district’s board of education, Sara brings to her practice a deep understanding of the dynamics underpinning school operations. She counsels clients on matters relating to student discipline; special education and disability related issues; drafting and formulating of Board of Education policies; sexual impropriety matters; cybersecurity and data privacy matters; contractual relations; compliance with the Freedom of Information Law and Open Meetings Law; as well as compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Sara is currently handling one of the first cases to go before the Commissioner of Education in which a school board denied a student’s petition for a medical exemption from immunization requirements.

Sara has developed a proficiency in professionally handling crises, from the moment they arise until they are resolved. She understands which information the school community should hear at each stage of the process while also protecting the privacy of the people involved. A large part of her practice is advising school administration and boards on minimizing and addressing risks inherent in the operation of educational communities.

Sara also advises school and non-profit clients on employment issues, including: reductions in force; terminations of employment; defense of discrimination claims; compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act and the American’s with Disabilities Act; the creation and review of employee handbooks and policies; and negotiation and drafting of employment agreements for staff and administrators.

Sara prides herself on keeping both herself and her clients updated on all changes in the law as they relate to schools, such as those that impacting the vaccination requirements, social media and data security and privacy. She also regularly provides client and professional organization training on a variety of issues, including: student discipline; special education; board/ Superintendent relationships; LGBTQ issues for both students and employees; proper use of social media and updates on data privacy laws.

Sara is also a trained mediator with the commercial division of Supreme Court of the State of New York and has been trained in mediation by JAMS/Endispute and the CPR (Center for Professional Resolution) as well as the Council of Better Business Bureaus.