Speakers

Attorneys Kalani Linnell Asroff and Jane M. Williams of Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams shared insights at the Education Law Association (ELA) annual conference, which was held Nov. 5–8 at the Marriott Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Linnell Asroff and Williams presented to an audience of scholars, academics, and legal thought-leaders on three timely topics affecting schools nationwide: Linnell Asroff hosted a roundtable titled, “Practical Realities of Title IX Implementation in K-12 Schools,” focusing on how Title IX regulations—often written with higher education in mind—translate into day-to-day realities for school districts. The roundtable challenged attendees to apply Title IX to hypothetical scenarios in a table-top exercise. Linnell Asroff also co-presented “Imperfect Procedures and the Constitutional Due Process Rights of K-12 Students,” reviewing the rules and processes related to exclusionary discipline and how procedural nuances derive from multiple sources of law. Williams and Linnell Asroff participated in a three-attorney panel titled, “Legal Facets of Athletic Programs and Participation,” which explored the complex legal issues surrounding athletics in K-12 and higher education, such as disability accommodations, transgender and non-binary participation, Title IX parity, and hazing. The session highlighted how athletics intersect with constitutional rights and statutory mandates, and concluded with an audience discussion on the upcoming Supreme Court transgender athletics case, West Virginia v. B.P.J.. At Sweet Stevens, Linnell Asroff advises clients in matters involving special education, student civil rights, and operations/practices, and is especially dedicated to the issue of Title IX compliance, serving clients in the roles of Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Investigator, Title IX Decisionmaker, and Title IX Appeal Decisionmaker. She litigates in administrative, state, and federal venues. Williams represents school entities in special education and student matters with more than a quarter of a century in practice. She has served as a hearing officer, advised boards on expulsion and discipline, and guided districts through every phase of special education litigation. The Education Law Association’s annual conference convenes education attorneys, administrators, and policymakers to examine the latest trends and legal challenges in K-12 and higher education. Additions

Begley Law Group recently announced Christian J. Donato as its newest associate attorney. Donato will provide representation and legal services in the areas of practice in which Begley Law Group concentrates. He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Denver and graduated with his J.D. from Rutgers Law School. During his time at Rutgers, he assisted in running the Planning Estates Project (PEP) where he worked on drafting wills, durable powers of attorney, and living wills for elderly South Jersey residents. He has been a member of the firm's team while studying at Rutgers prior to his graduation and successful admission to the bar. He has primarily assisted families, to date, with the guardianship process and in the administration of estates, while also assisting in other areas of the firm’s practice. His dedication to the individuals and families he works with is evident in his thoroughness, and he looks forward to expanding his involvement on other client matters. Donato’s hometown is Saddle River, New Jersey, and he is currently a resident of Philadelphia.