PastIn Person

Government Law Review Symposium 2026

Name: Government Law Review Symposium 2026
Start: 2026-02-27
End: 2026-02-27
Location: Dean Alexander Moot Court Room, Albany Law School

by Government Law Review and Government Law Center at Albany Law School

The Government Law Review Symposium 2026, titled "Transforming Futures: Education, Law, and Youth Wellbeing," is an event organized by the Government Law Review in collaboration with the Government Law Center at Albany Law School. Scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, the symposium will take place in the Dean Alexander Moot Court Room at Albany Law School, located at 80 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.

The symposium will address pressing issues in K-12 education law, including state budget and legislative matters, support for students with disabilities, and the promotion of equity in education. The program features a panel on current challenges in New York State's K-12 education system, a lunch keynote on addressing the mental health needs of children and teens, and discussions on special education law and supporting students with disabilities, as well as equity in education.

Attendees will have opportunities for networking during the reception following the program. Notable speakers include Hon. Shelley B. Mayer, New York State Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Education; Ann Marie Sullivan, MD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health; and various experts in education law and policy. The event is free and open to the public, with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits available for attorneys attending in person, pending accreditation.

This symposium is ideal for legal professionals, educators, policymakers, and advocates interested in the intersection of education and law. Participants will gain valuable insights into current challenges and developments in K-12 education law, as well as strategies for promoting youth wellbeing through legal and policy frameworks.

Speakers(34)

Adrian E. Alvarez

Assistant Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law

Prof. Adrian E. Alvarez is an Assistant Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law.

Amy Saji

Associate Professor of Law and Health Advocacy and Collaboration Law Clinic Director at Seton Hall Law School

Prof. Amy Saji is an Associate Professor of Law and the Director of the Health Advocacy and Collaboration Law Clinic at Seton Hall Law School.

Ann Marie Sullivan

Commissioner at New York State Office of Mental Health

Ann Marie Sullivan, MD, is the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Ann Marie Sullivan, MD

Commissioner at New York State Office of Mental Health

Ann Marie Sullivan, MD, is the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, leading mental health services across the state.

Brian Cechnicki

Executive Director at Association of School Business Officials of New York

Brian Cechnicki is the Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials of New York.

Bridgit M. Burke

Clinical Professor of Law Emerita at Albany Law School

Prof. Bridgit M. Burke is a Clinical Professor of Law Emerita at Albany Law School.

Clarissa Jacobs

Native American Education Coordinator at New York State Education Department

Clarissa Jacobs serves as the Native American Education Coordinator at the New York State Education Department.

Connie Mayer

Raymond & Ella Smith Distinguished Professor at Albany Law School

Prof. Connie Mayer is the Raymond & Ella Smith Distinguished Professor at Albany Law School.

Dean Rosemary Queenan

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Albany Law School

Dean Rosemary Queenan is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Law at Albany Law School, focusing on legal education and policy.

Diana Newmark

Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director of the Education Advocacy Clinic, and Distinguished Public Service Scholar at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Prof. Diana Newmark is an Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director of the Education Advocacy Clinic, and a Distinguished Public Service Scholar at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

Hon. Shelley B. Mayer

New York State Senator, 37th Senate District at New York State Senate

Hon. Shelley B. Mayer is a New York State Senator representing the 37th Senate District and serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education.

Jacob D. Verchereau

School Attorney at Questar III BOCES

Jacob D. Verchereau, Esq., serves as a School Attorney for Questar III BOCES.

Jacob D. Verchereau, Esq.

School Attorney at Questar III BOCES

Jacob D. Verchereau, Esq., serves as a School Attorney for Questar III BOCES, providing legal counsel to the educational organization.

Jeffrey Matteson

Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy at New York State Education Department

Jeffrey Matteson serves as the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy at the New York State Education Department.

Jessie Sullivan

Managing Editor for Business and Production at Government Law Review, Vol. 19

Jessie Sullivan is the Managing Editor for Business and Production at the Government Law Review, Vol. 19.

Konrad Dalland

Editor-in-Chief at Government Law Review, Vol. 19

Konrad Dalland serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Government Law Review, Vol. 19.

Kyle Belokopitsky

Executive Director at New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers

Kyle Belokopitsky, Esq. ’05, is the Executive Director of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Kyle Belokopitsky, Esq.

Executive Director at New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers

Kyle Belokopitsky, Esq., is the Executive Director of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, advocating for educational policies and parent engagement.

Patrick Wildes

Director at Government Law Center at Albany Law School

Patrick Wildes is the Director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School.

Prof. Adrian E. Alvarez

Assistant Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law

Prof. Adrian E. Alvarez is an Assistant Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law, focusing on education law and policy.

Prof. Amy Saji

Associate Professor of Law and Health Advocacy and Collaboration Law Clinic Director at Seton Hall Law School

Prof. Amy Saji is an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Health Advocacy and Collaboration Law Clinic at Seton Hall Law School.

Prof. Bridgit M. Burke

Clinical Professor of Law Emerita at Albany Law School

Prof. Bridgit M. Burke is a Clinical Professor of Law Emerita at Albany Law School, specializing in clinical legal education.

Prof. Connie Mayer

Raymond & Ella Smith Distinguished Professor at Albany Law School

Prof. Connie Mayer holds the Raymond & Ella Smith Distinguished Professorship at Albany Law School, specializing in legal education and advocacy.

Prof. Diana Newmark

Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Director of the Education Advocacy Clinic, and Distinguished Public Service Scholar at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Prof. Diana Newmark is an Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Education Advocacy Clinic at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

Prof. Thalia Gonzalez

Professor of Law and the James Edgar Hervey ’50 Chair of Litigation at UC Law San Francisco

Prof. Thalia Gonzalez is a Professor of Law and holds the James Edgar Hervey ’50 Chair of Litigation at UC Law San Francisco.

Robert Reilly

General Counsel at NYSUT

Robert Reilly, Esq. ’93, is the General Counsel for the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

Robert Reilly, Esq.

General Counsel at NYSUT

Robert Reilly, Esq., is the General Counsel for the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), providing legal guidance to the union.

Rohini Singh

Director of the School Justice Project at Advocates for Children of New York

Rohini Singh, Esq., is the Director of the School Justice Project at Advocates for Children of New York.

Rohini Singh, Esq.

Director of the School Justice Project at Advocates for Children of New York

Rohini Singh, Esq., is the Director of the School Justice Project at Advocates for Children of New York, focusing on educational equity.

Rosemary Queenan

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Albany Law School

Dean Rosemary Queenan is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Law at Albany Law School.

Shanell C. Brown

President at Black and Brown Educators of the Capital District

Shanell C. Brown, M.Ed., is the President of Black and Brown Educators of the Capital District and an Assistant Principal at the City School District of Albany.

Shanell C. Brown, M.Ed.

President at Black and Brown Educators of the Capital District

Shanell C. Brown, M.Ed., is the President of Black and Brown Educators of the Capital District and an Assistant Principal in the City School District of Albany.

Shelley B. Mayer