Jacob David Verchereau - New York Lawyer

Following his graduation from Manhattan College in 2009, Jacob embarked on his professional journey as a Special Education Advocate and Paralegal. Over a span of seven years, he was employed at a well-respected law firm in Manhattan specializing in advocating for students with special needs. In his role as an Advocate, Jacob frequently accompanied parents to Committee on Special Education (“CSE”) meetings, extending support in the formulation of their children’s Individual Education Programs (“IEP”) and/or 504 Plans. In instances where conflicts arose with local school districts, Jacob provided assistance to attorneys throughout all stages of the administrative due process procedure outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"), which often included impartial hearings and appeals to the State Review Officer.

In 2015, Jacob decided to return to his hometown of Troy, New York. Subsequently, he pursued and obtained his J.D. from Albany Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 2018. During his time at law school, Jacob actively participated in the interscholastic moot court program, competed on the ABA Negotiations Team, and the ABA Client Counseling Team. He also served as an Editor for the Albany Government Law Review and undertook significant internships, including positions at the New York State Education Department's Office of State Review, Albany Law School's Community Development Clinic, and Prisoners' Legal Services of Albany.

Post law school, Jacob assumed the role of Counsel to the School Administrators' Association of New York State ("SAANYS"), functioning as a Labor and Employment attorney representing public sector, labor-side clients. In this capacity, Jacob provided legal counsel to public school administrators, BOCES administrators, and civil service employees across the State of New York. He gained proficiency in a broad spectrum of employment-related matters, including contract negotiations, collective bargaining, disciplinary issues, grievances, appeals to the Commissioner of Education, cases involving the Public Employment Relations Board (“PERB”), Article 78 proceedings, and various other human resource concerns.