Adam S. Ross

PHONE:

631-694-2300

EMAIL:

asr@lambbarnosky.com

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EDUCATION:

♦ Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (B.S., 1999)
♦ Boston University School of Law (J.D., 2002)

BAR ADMISSIONS:

New York

PRACTICE AREAS:

Education, Employment, Labor and Litigation

Since joining the Firm in 2018, Adam has represented our employer clients at the collective bargaining table, in contract arbitrations and in disciplinary proceedings pursuant to Education Law section 3020-a and Civil Service Law section 75. He regularly advises school districts on the length of educators’ probationary period, the process for granting or denying tenure and navigating annual professional performance review requirements. His practice also regularly includes providing advice and assistance with discrimination and harassment complaints and conducting workplace investigations. During the pandemic, he has worked closely with clients to help them comply with mask, testing and leave requirements.

Adam is the co-chair of the New York Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section’s Public Sector Labor Relations Committee. In August 2020, he was interviewed by WGRZ -Channel 2 News regarding the legal rights of teachers returning to the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has presented to the Bar Association’s Local and State Government Law Section regarding collective bargaining during the pandemic and co-authored an article about bargaining pandemic-related issues for the December 2021 addition of the Section’s journal, The Municipal Lawyer. In April 2020, he was part of the Bar Association’s panel presentation on COVID-19 paid leave and employee benefits. He has also presented to school district supervisory staff on the proper procedures for disciplining educators and calculating seniority as well as to the Long Island Labor and Employee Relations Association regarding free speech in the workplace. Most recently, his article regarding overtime pay for COVID-19 testing was published in the New York State School Boards Association’s newspaper, On Board.

Prior to joining the Firm, Adam served from 2011 to 2018 as the General Counsel of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and, prior to that, as the UFT’s Special Counsel from 2006 to 2011. Adam attended Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. He received his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. Prior to working at the UFT, he was an associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP where, after several years, his increasing work with public sector unions led him to take a position at the UFT.

As the UFT’s General Counsel, Adam negotiated and drafted collective bargaining agreements on behalf of over 200,000 UFT-represented employees in more than 20 bargaining units in both the public and private sectors. He was responsible for directing the UFT’s handling of a wide range of labor and employment matters before state and federal administrative agencies, arbitrators and the state and federal courts, both in the UFT’s role as a labor union as well as an employer. His practice included a broad array of other matters, including education, contracts, arbitration, and general corporate matters. He was likewise responsible for coordinating and directing the UFT’s internal and outside counsel and assisted with the Union’s political and public relations work.

• 05.10.222: NYSSBA On Board article: Are school district employees entitled to overtime pay for COVID-19 testing when done pursuant to the state Health Commissioner’s determination?