Printable FormatDavid W. Oakes
Member
Mr. Oakes focuses his practice in education law, with a major emphasis on special education and disability issues. He advises school districts on a wide range of topics from board of education procedures to student records and privacy rules, student discipline, and Office for Civil Rights Complaints. He has extensive experience with charter schools regulation. Mr. Oakes also practices in employment law issues. He regularly represents school districts in special education matters including advocacy in due process hearings, appeals to the State Review Officer, and staff training as well as facilitating the resolution of disputes with parents. He has taken a major role in defending a class action filed against a school district and was instrumental in persuading the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to accept an interlocutory appeal in the litigation. Previously, he served as an arbitrator/hearing officer in the Rochester area. He continues to serve as a hearing officer for New York State Education Department VESID cases. Prior to moving to New York in 1984, Mr. Oakes practiced law as a director/officer/shareholder of an incorporated law firm, counseling clients primarily in business and tax law matters.
Professional & Community Activities
Mr. Oakes was an assistant professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology for more than five years. He was also an adjunct faculty member of the State University of New York at Brockport and the Northern Illinois University College of Law. He has taught deaf as well as hearing students and has worked as a reading tutor with Literacy Volunteers. Mr. Oakes has advised a national disability rights organization and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Health Association in Rochester, New York. He has extensive experience as a trainer in teambuilding, conflict management, and communications skills. Mr. Oakes is a frequent presenter at seminars on issues involving education law.
