Hot Topics in Special Education
Date: Dec 10, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Member Price: $177.00
Non-Member Price: $209.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: School
Earn up to 4.5 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
- Rebecca K. Spar, Esq.
- , Suffern
Presenters
- Hon. Ellen S. Bass (Ret.)
- Former Director OAL/Chief ALJ
The Busch Law Group, LLCis Of Counsel to The Busch Law Group LLC in Metuchen, New Jersey, and has more than 40 years of experience working with public school districts. She was formerly Acting Director of the Office of Administrative Law, the Chief Administrative Law Judge, and sat in Newark, New Jersey.
Judge Bass is admitted to practice in New Jersey and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to her appointment, she served as In-House Counsel to the South Orange Maplewood School District, and prior to that was in private practice with the Morristown firm of Rand, Algeier, Tosti and Woodruff. Judge Bass also served as In-House Counsel to the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. She has lectured to the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, school districts and other organizations, and has guest lectured at Seton Hall University’s Graduate School of Education.
Judge Bass received her undergraduate degree from Mt. Holyoke College and her law degree from Boston University School of Law. - Erin Berman, Esq.
- Northeast New Jersey Legal Services, Hackensack
- Karen F. Edler, Esq.
- Price Meese Shulman & D'Arminio, PC, Woodcliff Lake
- Hillary D. Freeman, Esq.
- Freeman Law Offices, LLC, Princetonis a founding Partner of Freeman Law Offices, LLC in Princeton, New Jersey. In her practice she represents clients with disabilities and their families. She has experience representing clients in special education and Section 504 issues, higher education issues including accommodations on high stakes testing, and graduate school admissions tests, guardianship matters, estate planning and adult services.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Ms. Freeman is a member of the Council of Parent and Attorney Advocates ("COPAA"), Past Vice President of the Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey and a member of the Executive Board of ASCEND: Asperger & Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. She is a former member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey and the Human Rights Committee of Quest Autism Programs. Ms. Freeman is also a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Elder and Disability Law Section, the International Dyslexia Association and COSAC/Autism New Jersey. She was the recipient of the Robin Sims Trailblazer Award in 2015 and several other honors, and has lectured for professional organizations.
Ms. Freeman received her B.S. from Ithaca College and her J.D. from Widener University School of Law. - George M. Holland, Esq.
- Law Offices of George M. Holland, Montclair
- Andrew I. Meltzer, Esq.
- Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler, Cranburyis an associate with Sussan, Greenwald & Wesler in Cranbury, New Jersey, where he focuses his practice in special education law and helps special needs students achieve success in school and life.
Mr. Meltzer is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. While clerking in the Education Section of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, he built up a working knowledge of the special education legal framework and the practices at the Office of Administrative Law. He also prosecuted nearly twenty trials as a Certified Legal Intern for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Meltzer received his B.A. from the University of Delaware and his J.D. from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law. - Catherine M. Reisman, Esq.
- Reisman Gran Zuba LLP, Cherry Hill
This popular seminar returns with the latest information for 2025! Led by respected education law attorney Rebecca K. Spar, a panel of experienced attorneys and a retired Administrative Law Judge will bring you up to date on the latest developments in regulations, case law and current issues affecting special education. The program will provide the timeliest information for attorneys who represent school districts, parents of children with disabilities, and the educators and professionals who work with this population of children. Listen as a distinguished panel provides updates on current case law and issues including autism, inclusion, summary decision, dyslexia, stay- put, attendance, and more. Gather information that will help you effectively represent clients or school districts in special education matters. Register today!
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