Schwartz & Shaw, P.L.L.C. was established in 1991 (originally as Richard Schwartz & Associates) by Richard Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz previously had practiced education law as a Partner with Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, NC, where he practiced for twelve years before opening his own firm. Schwartz & Shaw, P.L.L.C. was designed to serve and meet the special needs of education clients, and it is the only law firm in North Carolina that practices solely in the field of Education Law. There are currently five full-time attorneys in the firm, all practicing Education Law.
Richard Schwartz has represented nearly every school system in North Carolina on at least one matter over the last twenty-six years. He is a graduate of Duke University and the UNC School of Law. Mr. Schwartz was one of the first chairs of the N.C. Council of School Attorneys, and has served several terms on its Board of Directors and on the Board of the National Council of School Attorneys.
Brian Shaw joined the law firm in 1993. He came to North Carolina from Portland, Maine, where he practiced with a large law firm for a number of years. He was Chairman of the firm’s Education Law Department. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and is a frequent speaker and writer on school law topics at both the state and national levels. Mr. Shaw teaches Education Law at Campbell University’s Law School. He is the immediate past-chairman of the Education Law Section of the State Bar, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the National Council of School Attorneys and the North Carolina Council of School Attorneys.
Lawyers in the firm come from culturally diverse backgrounds and represent a variety of different experiences. The firm is recognized in North Carolina and nationally as a leader in the development of Education Law.
The firm and members of the firm have written entire policy manuals for several school systems. Several other policy manuals have been completely revised and updated. Mr. Schwartz formerly represented the N.C. School Boards Association and has drafted policies for that organization. Model policies have been published in a variety of formats, including publications by the National School Boards Association and the National Council of School Attorneys.
As a matter of philosophy based upon practical experience, we emphasize and are dedicated to teaching and training our client school boards and their administrators to avoid problems and practices that might result in liability. We believe strongly in preventive practices and pragmatic training, and the firm has extensive experience offering workshops and training sessions for school employees, administrators and Board members in virtually every area of Education Law. Workshops particularly relevant to Board members include: Board and Board member liability; Boardsmanship; Budget Disputes with County Commissioners; Public School Finance; Bonds, Construction and Long-term Needs; Legal Distinctions and the Respective Roles of the Board and Administration; Policy Development; Open Meetings and Public Records; Parliamentary Procedure; Grievances and Due Process Hearings; etc.
The firm and its members have been involved in much of the significant legislation and litigation affecting public schools. Firm members consult frequently with legislators, other school attorneys, and judges to provide advice about the background or history of various statutes, and to develop solutions or responses to new problems or developments in the field.
The firm seeks to perform services in a cost-effective manner. Our vast experience in Education Law provides the client with a wealth of knowledge, contacts, and background to enable us to provide timely and accurate advice. We are positioned to respond quickly to your needs and we emphasize practical responses that are grounded in our in-depth knowledge of the workings of a public school system, rather than esoteric legal theory which administrators or Board members may not be ready to apply to real life problems. Our experience and specialization in the field increases the effectiveness with which we will be able to represent you.