Printable FormatTracie L. Lopardi
Member
Ms. Lopardi is a member of the firm. She practices in the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group and serves on the Educational Institutions Team. Prior to joining Harris Beach, Ms. Lopardi served as General Counsel to Niagara University. She managed and represented the University concerning all legal matters involving governance, academic affairs, business services and contract management, facilities, employment, student life, and institutional advancement. Prior to Niagara University, Ms. Lopardi was an attorney with another Buffalo law firm where she represented clients concerning numerous aspects of Education Law and Labor and Employment Law. At Harris Beach, Ms. Lopardi's practice continues to focus on counseling and representing school districts and businesses regarding various areas of education, labor and employment law matters. She assists clients in grievance matters, teacher discipline hearings (3020-a), Section 75 Civil Service hearings, drafting settlement agreements, conducting arbitrations, and collective bargaining agreements. Ms. Lopardi prepares and submits legal memoranda to federal and state courts and administrative agencies in matters involving employment and discrimination claims, appeals to the Commissioner of Education, and Article 78 petitions. She drafts and revises policies, procedures, handbooks and manuals in accordance with the objectives and mission of the client. Ms. Lopardi frequently investigates employee and student misconduct issues, conducts student discipline hearings and regularly provides presentations and training sessions on non-harassment, discrimination and retaliation, student and employee rights and discipline, evaluations, and conducting proper investigations.
Professional & Community Activities
Ms. Lopardi is a member of the American, New York State (Labor and Employment Law Section), and Erie County Bar Associations (Labor and Employment Law Section). She is also a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, National School Boards Association (Council of School Attorneys), New York State School Boards Association, and New York State Association of School Attorneys. She serves on the planning committee of Erie County School Board Association’s annual Western New York Education Law Conference. Ms. Lopardi previously served on the Advisory Council for Emerging Leaders Society of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, as the Vice President of the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association and as co-legislative liaison for the Society of Human Resource Managers/Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association and as a board member of Meals on Wheels of Buffalo and Erie County. Ms. Lopardi continues to serve as a member of the Buffalo Regional Committee for the Geneseo Alumni Association, as a part of the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Career Partners Program, and the Syracuse University College of Law Admissions Initiative Program.
