Ms. Lopardi provides practical advice to employers to advance business objectives with minimal risk. She advises and guides employers through workplace issues balancing zealous advocacy with practical problem solving as a dedicated member of the employer’s team.
Tracie represents and counsels the firm’s corporate and education institution clients in all types of employment and labor law matters, including: harassment, discrimination and retaliation; employment and separation agreements; state and federal wage and hour laws; family medical leave act management; disability accommodations; counseling and disciplinary actions; workplace training and investigations; personnel policies; and restrictive covenants (non-solicitation, non-competition and confidentiality agreements).
Tracie conducts independent workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, bullying and workplace violence; and conducts workplace training concerning all aspects of employment law and human resources.
Tracie has extensive experience in negotiating, litigating and arbitrating labor and employment law disputes. She handles claims in state and local courts as well as before administrative agencies.
In addition, Tracie represents school districts before the New York State Commissioner of Education and in Education Law 3020-a and Civil Service Law Sections 71, 73 and 75 hearings regarding discipline of tenured educators and permanent non-instructional employees. She also provides guidance and counsel to higher education institutions on a diverse array of matters including labor and employment as well as Title IX, student athletics and NCAA compliance. Prior to joining Harris Beach, Tracie served and established the Office of General Counsel at Niagara University where 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. She has also been a loyal to her family’s teaching roots as an adjunct professor at Niagara University where she taught Education Law.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS + SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- “RBG's Greatest Hits: As Presented by Buffalo's Top Lawyers and Scholars,” CLE program - panel discussion presented by the WNY Chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York in conjunction with the University at Buffalo School of Law, March 2021.
- “Reopening Your Business after the COVID Lockdown,” webinar presentation to Developer’s Advisory Council, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, May 2020.
- “Maintaining Title IX Compliance in Your K-12 School District,” Harris Beach webinar, July 2020.
- “Title IX For Higher Education: Compliance, Crisis Communication & Case Studies,” Harris Beach webinar, September 2020.
- “Having a Voice” – Perfecting your Leadership Voice through Self-Advocacy, Effective Decision Making, Successful Risk Taking and Strong Negotiation Skill Development, Western New York Chapter of the NYS Association for Women in Administration, May 2019; Leadership Niagara, September 2019.
- “#MeToo and You – A Roadmap to Handle Harassment and Discrimination Claims in the Hollywood Era,” Association of School Business Officials School Business Management Workshop, November 2018.
- “Navigating Accessibility Requirements for District Websites,” Association of School Business Officials School Business Management Workshop, November 2018.
- “Western New York schools Combat Lead Contamination in Water,” Buffalo Business First, November 11, 2016.
- “Transgender Student Policies Not New in WNY,” Buffalo Business First, August 26, 2016.
- “WNY Education Law Conference: The Nuts and Bolts of Bricks and Mortar,” Western New York Education Law Conference, August 3, 2016.
- “Debate of Transgender use of Bathrooms and Locker Rooms,” WBFO, June 6, 2016.
- “Parents Make Appeal Against Immunizations in Schools,” Buffalo Law Journal/Buffalo Business First,
September 28, 2015. - “BLJ Editor’s Notebook: Attorneys ‘Say Yes’ to Free Legal Services,” Buffalo Law Journal, April 9, 2015.
