Samantha L. Price
Haddonfield,New Jersey
Summary
Seasoned legal professional with an extensive background in education law and representing governmental entities, notably the New Jersey Department of Education, and the Camden City School District. Excelled in legal and regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement, with a solutions-oriented mindset. Demonstrated a track record in advancing policy goals and organizational objectives within the applicable legal framework.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Commissioner, Legal and External Services
New Jersey Department of Education
Trenton, NJ
07.2024 - Current
- Supervise the Division of Legal and External Services, including the Offices of Controversies & Disputes, the Office of School Ethics, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Office of Legislative Affairs, and the Office of the Commissions.
- Provide legal guidance to the Commissioner of Education and senior staff on all matters involving the Department, including pending legislation and personnel matters; review and advise other Department Divisions on legal compliance issues impacting the Department and local education agencies.
- Oversee all pending litigation involving the Department, including collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office; work closely with outside counsel on all phases of litigation and litigation strategy.
- Coordinate meetings between senior staff within the Department and external stakeholders to discuss current policy or legislative initiatives.
General Counsel
Camden City School District
Camden, NJ
04.2019 - 06.2024
- Advised the State District Superintendent and the District’s Executive Leadership Team on matters impacting the District’s operations, including, but not limited to, student discipline, special education, labor and employment matters, contract review, collective negotiations, and compliance with State law and regulations.
- Managed all pending litigation involving the District, including collaboration with the District’s insurance carrier and referrals to outside counsel; work closely with outside counsel on all phases of litigation and litigation strategy.
- Advised the District’s advisory board of education, primarily with respect to board management and professional development; supervise the updating of the district’s policy manual and the adoption of new policies in accordance with State law and regulation; prepare and deliver board trainings and the annual board retreat; ensure compliance with the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) and the Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”).
- From July 2023 through June 2024, I served as Acting Chief of Staff in addition to General Counsel. In this role, I provided project management leadership by overseeing cross-divisional projects and both the District’s long-term and short-term strategic initiatives; planned and facilitated leadership meetings and District events, managed the District’s organizational structure and relationships with external stakeholders.
Director, Office of Controversies & Disputes
New Jersey Department of Education
Trenton, NJ
01.2018 - 03.2019
- Managed the filing of petitions with the Department of Education and the issuing of all final agency decisions on behalf of the Commissioner of Education.
- Provided legal support to senior staff and program offices in the Department; developed and implemented trainings to County Offices of Education on legal matters; and served as a liaison with the Office of Administrative Law.
- Coordinated legal strategy with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General on pending cases before the Appellate Division.
- Managed the TEACHNJ Arbitration process, including the referral of all tenure charges to an arbitrator for a decision.
Senior Counsel
Office of Counsel to the Governor, State of New Jersey
Trenton, NJ
07.2016 - 01.2018
- Provided legal counsel to the Governor and Chief Counsel on issues involving education and higher education, including all litigation and legislation involving the Department of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
- Reviewed and approved all regulatory proposals from the Department of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA).
Deputy Chief Legal Officer
New Jersey Department of Education
Trenton, NJ
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Supervised the Division of Legal Affairs, provided legal advice, and general guidance to the Commissioner of Education and senior staff regarding policy initiatives, labor and employment matters, and compliance with education law and regulations.
- Reviewed regulations and administrative code proposals for adoption by the State Board of Education, in furtherance of the Department’s regulatory initiatives; conducted outreach with various stakeholder groups regarding Department policies.
Associate
Comegno Law Group, P.C.
Moorestown, NJ
12.2010 - 08.2012
- Provided legal advice to district boards of education and school administrators on a wide range of school law and employment law issues, including personnel matters, collective negotiations, special education, and general governance procedures.
- Drafted administrator employment contracts and separation agreements, board policies and regulations, and advisory memoranda for school districts on current school law topics.
Associate
Fogarty & Hara, Esqs.
Fair Lawn, NJ
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Advised school districts on areas of labor and employment law, teacher and student disciplinary matters, and student residency issues.
- Attended to all aspects of special education matters, including mediation, resolution sessions, settlement conferences, and IEP meetings.
Associate
Barger & Bolger, Esqs.
Chatham, NJ
09.2008 - 12.2009
- Assisted senior counsel in all aspects of trial preparation, including developing witness outlines and witness preparation; drafted legal pleadings documents, including Answers, Motions, and Briefs.
- Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on various areas of education law.
Judicial Law Clerk
Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard F. Wells
Camden, NJ
09.2007 - 08.2008
- Prepared and analyzed weekly motion summaries, drafted memoranda, and issued recommendations on various family law issues, such as child support, child custody, visitation rights, and spousal support.
Summer Law Intern Program
US Department of Justice, Office for Civil Rights
Washington, DC
05.2006 - 08.2006
- Reviewed civil rights complaints filed with the Department of Justice and prepared recommendations for senior attorneys on the disposition of complaints; analyzed and drafted compliance reports regarding the provision of foreign language services by police departments nationwide.
Summer Legal Intern
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General – Education Section
Trenton, NJ
05.2005 - 08.2005
- Conducted legal research and prepared memoranda on various topics in education law, including federal education statutes, evidence, and constitutional issues.
Education
Juris Doctor -
Rutgers University School of Law
Camden, NJ01.2007
Master of Public Affairs and Politics -
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
New Brunswick, NJ05.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy, High Honors
Rutgers University
Camden, NJ05.2002
Skills
- Government relations and stakeholder engagement
- Policy interpretation and enforcement
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Regulatory compliance
- Legal research and analysis
- Board governance
Certification
Admitted to Practice Law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 2007
Accomplishments
Samantha L. Skabla, Charter Schools and Their Effect on Providing Equal Education Opportunities for Children in Philadelphia, 3 Rutgers J. L. & Urban Pol’y 471 (2006).
Timeline
Assistant Commissioner, Legal and External Services
New Jersey Department of Education
07.2024 - Current
General Counsel
Camden City School District
04.2019 - 06.2024
Director, Office of Controversies & Disputes
New Jersey Department of Education
01.2018 - 03.2019
Senior Counsel
Office of Counsel to the Governor, State of New Jersey
07.2016 - 01.2018
Deputy Chief Legal Officer
New Jersey Department of Education
04.2014 - 07.2016
Associate
Comegno Law Group, P.C.
12.2010 - 08.2012
Associate
Fogarty & Hara, Esqs.
01.2010 - 12.2010
Associate
Barger & Bolger, Esqs.
09.2008 - 12.2009
Judicial Law Clerk
Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard F. Wells
09.2007 - 08.2008
Summer Law Intern Program
US Department of Justice, Office for Civil Rights
05.2006 - 08.2006
Summer Legal Intern
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General – Education Section
05.2005 - 08.2005
Juris Doctor -
Rutgers University School of Law
Master of Public Affairs and Politics -
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy, High Honors
Rutgers University
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