Leander Altifois Dolphin represents public school districts and private schools in education and employment matters, including student discipline, special education disputes, disability-related matters, employee discipline and discharge, and investigations. In addition, she represents clients in claims before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Office of Civil Rights. Leander also represents private and non-profit clients in employment litigation matters, and provides counseling in employment law to clients in both the private and public sectors.
Leander previously served as Vice President, HR & General Counsel at a large Connecticut non-profit organization, developing an HR infrastructure and assisting the organization in navigating various corporate, real estate, contractual, and employment issues to successful results. Leander has conducted numerous professional development workshops for private and public sector clients on topics such as sexual harassment, bullying, special education, disability discrimination, and confidentiality issues.
Distinctions
· Executive Solicitations Editor, Howard Law Journal
· Lawyers of Color - High Achievers, Connecticut Law Tribune (2011)
Professional Affiliations
· American Bar Association: Litigation; Young Lawyers
· Connecticut Bar Association: Labor & Employment Section
· National Bar Association: Commercial Law Section
· National School Boards Association: Council of School Attorneys
· Connecticut School Attorneys Council
· George W. Crawford Black Bar Association
Community Involvement
· The Lawyer's Collaborative for Diversity, Inc. (LCD) Associates Advisory Committee
· Hartt School for Performing Arts: Board of Trustees
· The Ethel Walker School: Reunion Committee Chair (2010), Alumnae Board
· Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Fund Development Committee (2009-2010)
· Neighborscapes, National Advisory Council
Publications
March 2012, When Bullying Behavior May Also Be Criminal Behavior
November 17, 2011, Don't Let Highly Mobile Students Fall Through Cracks on Eligibility
July 19, 2011, Important Revisions to Connecticut's School Bullying Laws - Effective July 1, 2011
July 2, 2009, Supreme Court Answers City's Quandary and Upholds Promotional Test Despite Adverse Impact
Summer 2009, Surviving the E-Discovery Adventure: Ethical Challenges Shared by In-House and Outside Counsel
News
March 2012, When Bullying Behavior May Also Be Criminal Behavior
November 17, 2011, Don't Let Highly Mobile Students Fall Through Cracks on Eligibility
July 19, 2011, Important Revisions to Connecticut's School Bullying Laws - Effective July 1, 2011
July 2, 2009, Supreme Court Answers City's Quandary and Upholds Promotional Test Despite Adverse Impact
Summer 2009, Surviving the E-Discovery Adventure: Ethical Challenges Shared by In-House and Outside Counsel
Events
April 22, 2012, Bully or Bigot: When Is Bullying Behavior Also Discrimination?
March 30, 2012, Labor and Employment Spring Seminar: 2012 Public Sector Legal Update
November 18 - 19, 2011, 2011 Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE)/Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) Convention
November 15, 2011, SERAC Prevention Conference: "Bullying Behavior in Schools"
October 19, 2011, Teaching and Learning on the Digital Edge
September 22, 2011, 2011 Legislative Developments: Bullying, Gender Identity and More - Stamford, CT
September 19, 2011, Social Networking Policies for Teachers and Students
April 12, 2011, Sexual Harassment Prevention Training - Hartford, CT
March 4, 2011, Labor and Employment Department Public Sector 2011 Spring Seminar
October 29, 2010, Hiring and Firing from a Legal Perspective
October 15, 2010, A School Law Primer on Student Discipline
September 27, 2010, The Use of Social Media In Litigation
April 25, 2010, Northeast Morgan Stanley Career Development Workshop
February 27, 2010, In Deeper Water: Navigating the Employment Laws that Expand Your Liability and Affect Your Bottom Line
February, 2006, Supervision of the Problem Employee
February, 2006, Proper Hiring Techniques
A Brief Overview of the Interaction of Family Medical Leave, Worker's Compensation and Disability Law