Frances L. Febres

Partner

(973) 845-6700

ffebres@cgajlaw.com

Oakland, NJ

Biography

Frances Febres practices in all areas of public education law, including, but not limited to, special education, labor and employment, and school governance. As part of her practice, she counsels school administrators on day-to-day student, employee and district matters to ensure legal compliance; reviews school board policies, regulations and employee handbooks; reviews administrator contracts; assesses employee benefit entitlements; drafts shared services agreements; advises as to administrative reorganizations and reductions in force (RIF); assesses tenure and seniority rights; assists with student residency removal proceedings; assists administrators with drafting letters regarding employee and student discipline; and conducts workplace investigations, among other services. Additionally, she attends school board meetings and guides school boards with respect to School Ethics Act and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requirements. She also assists school boards with conducting, for example, Donaldson, Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB), student residency and student discipline hearings in executive session. To further assist school boards, administrators and employees, she conducts administrator and employee trainings concerning teacher evaluation requirements, student records and privacy laws, (HIB) requirements and legal updates, special education law and procedures, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws. When needed, she will conduct workplace investigations to determine whether there has been a violation of Board Policy or law, such as when an employee makes a complaint of workplace harassment.

As part of her practice, Frances regularly appears before the Office of Administrative Law, and also appears before the United States District Court, New Jersey Appellate Division, New Jersey Superior Courts, Municipal Courts, the Division on Civil Rights and the Public Employer Relations Commission. Prior to joining the Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs, Frances had developed diverse experience with administrative agencies and state courts. Specifically, she interned with Justices in the New York Appellate Division and civil trial court. She also interned for a New York City child welfare agency and appeared before the New York Family Court.

In 2022, Frances was selected a Rising Star in Schools & Education Law.

Education

Ramapo College of New Jersey, 2007
CUNY School of Law, J.D., 2012

Admissions

New Jersey
New York
United States District Court, District of New Jersey
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit