Biography

Scott Eveland concentrates his practice in the area of representing school boards and other public entities with an emphasis on and education law, special education law, labor and employment law. He plays a major role in the firm’s school board representation in all legal, labor and special education matters and he is attorney for the West New York Board of Education. He has extensive experience in special education matters and represents clients during all phases of these matters including identification meetings, evaluation determinations, Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”) meetings, in mediation, in Complaint investigations, at due process and administrative hearings held at the OAL and in litigation appealed into the Federal and State Courts. Special education is a very complex area of the law and his experience as a former special education teacher provides him with unique skills necessary to effectively communicate with parents, advocates, and attorneys representing families and to advocate successfully on the client’s behalf.

Scott’s representation of clients goes beyond special education law into general education law and labor law. He routinely reviews board agendas and consults with school administration and board members before, during and after board meetings. He provides legal consultation and representation in the collective bargaining process, analysis and handling of grievances.

Scott served as in-house General Counsel for Jersey City Public Schools and in private practice as counsel for the Roselle Board of Education. As General Counsel for Jersey City Public Schools, He provided daily legal advice to the school board members, superintendent and administrators for the second largest public school district in the State. As the attorney for both Jersey City and Roselle Board of Education, he was responsible for handling and oversight of all legal matters of the district and providing daily legal advice in all areas of public education law such as labor and employment matters; tenure charges and increment withholdings; civil service requirements; monitoring of all civil litigation and workers’ compensation cases; handled all special education matters; Title IX compliance; ensured compliance public contract bidding laws, OPRA requests and Sunshine Law requirements.

Scott also prepares and presents preventative legal counseling programs and providing legal training for board members and administrative staff including HIB,  Affirmative Action, hazing, student/employee discipline, ADA workplace accommodations. He has experience representing the school districts before courts and administrative agencies.

In addition to his experience as a school board attorney, Scott has experience in land use matters and has served as attorney for East Hanover Land Use Planning Board, Mt. Olive Land Use Planning Board, Denville Township Planning Board and the Millburn Township Planning Board, in addition to other public sector clients and municipal governments.

Scott also has a distinguished record of public service. He has served as the Mayor of the Borough of Florham Park (2008-2013), former Borough of Florham Park Councilman (2006-2008) and Florham Park Board of Education Member (2004-2006).