Laura M. Purcell

Firm: Harris Beach PLLC
Location: Pittsford - NY

  • 99 Garnsey Road
    Pittsford, NY 14534
    USA
  • Tel : 585) 419-8730
  • Fax : (585) 419-8801
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Laura is a member of the Firm’s Educational Institutions Practice Group and has focused her practice on providing counsel to school districts across western New York and the Southern Tier since 1993. In this role she provides day-to-day advice in all areas of school operations, including labor relations, collective bargaining, employment law, special education, student discipline, residency and annual budget vote issues. She also advocates for districts in appeals to the Commissioner of Education, PERB proceedings, proceedings before the State Division of Human Rights and EEOC, and in other litigated matters in state and federal court.  Named a best lawyer in education law for the Best Lawyers publication since 2007, Laura is also a member of the Harris Beach management committee.
Laura works with many of the firm’s school district and municipal clients.  She returned to private practice at Harris Beach in 2000 after leaving the firm in 1997 to serve as general counsel for the Brighton Central School District.  During her three years as general counsel to the district she was a member of the administrative team and provided legal support and advice in all areas of the district’s day to day operations, including labor relations, collective bargaining, employment law matters, special education, student discipline, residency, and annual budget vote issues.  Now serving as outside counsel to many of the firm’s school district clients, she continues to provide advice and support in these same areas as well as acting as an advocate for districts in disciplinary hearings, appeals to the Commissioner of Education, PERB proceedings and in other litigated matters in state and federal court.

Harris Beach PLLC

Harris Beach has been recognized for being at the forefront of innovation for 160 years. Our strongest investments are in our people and the tools and technology they need to deliver high-quality services to meet your goals, save you time and help drive positive bottom-line results.

Our culture of understanding, compassion and respect for each other naturally carries through to our relationships with our clients. Harris Beach believes in the fundamental dignity of each individual and every employee is valued for his or her unique experiences and perspectives. The rich diversity of our workforce, which reflects the communities we serve, enhances our work environment and the legal solutions we provide our clients. We listen to others and are responsive when others need assistance.

We value the unique skills of each individual at Harris Beach and strategically leverage our broad knowledge base to build dedicated, interdisciplinary, problem-solving teams that are greater than the sum of their parts. Bringing our best team thinking to bear for our clients allows us to understand and anticipate their challenges, and provide breakthrough solutio