George Joseph

Mr. Joseph has practiced as a school solicitor for more than 35 years, providing a full range of education law services. In addition to serving as general solicitor for three area school districts, the local Intermediate Unit and numerous nonpublic school systems, he has experience in handling special education matters including mediation and litigation of special education and Section 504 due process hearings. He has also, over time, provided representation on behalf of every public school district in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties as special counsel for a variety of specific assignments. Mr. Joseph has extensive experience in policy drafting, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Open Meeting Law, State Officials Ethics Act and the Right to Know Law matters. He has been involved in contract drafting and review and construction projects, as well as other legal issues that confront both public and nonpublic school entities, their administrations and boards. Mr. Joseph also advises his education clients on matters of labor and employment law, including grievance arbitration, employment practices and discrimination claims. He has extensive experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements pursuant to provisions of the Pennsylvania Employee Relations Act. Mr. Joseph also has experience in tax-exempt financing for public entities and has served as issuer's counsel and underwriter's counsel in numerous general obligation bonds and tax anticipation borrowings. He also serves as general solicitor for a local sewer authority, providing advice on diverse matters from public employment, financing, municipal liens and claims, as well as developer agreements and contract drafting and review. As an assistant solicitor for Erie County, he annually conducts the County Upset Tax Sale and litigates tax sale objections on behalf of the Tax Claim Bureau.