Karen Ford Edler

Karen Edler has 18 years of experience in the field of special education law, advocating for parents in connection with obtaining a free, appropriate public education for their children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”). Ms. Edler provides a wide range of services to parents including obtaining appropriate educational services from school districts, reviewing Individual Education Plans (“IEP”) and Section 504 Plans. Ms. Edler represents any student with educational issues including handling school disciplinary cases and hearings through all levels of education. She also provides special needs planning, including Special Needs Trusts, guardianship applications & social security appeals. Ms. Edler is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s School Law Committee & a member of the New Jersey Special Education Practitioners group. Ms. Edler so works as a pro bono attorney and mentor for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. Karen Edler is peer rated AV® Preeminent™. Ms. Edler is a cum laude graduate of Dickinson College, where she earned a BA degree in Political Science, with a minor in Latin. She earned her law degree, cum laude, from New York Law School, where she was the Managing Editor of New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law. After law school, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert E. Hamer, J.S.C., Law Division, Bergen County. During the course of her career, Ms. Edler has litigated in numerous courts and represented various public entities including municipalities, planning boards, and boards of adjustment. Additionally, she served as the Public Defender in a local municipality. Ms. Edler is admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey, the United States District Court of New Jersey, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Su

New York Law School

J.D. | Labor Law

1981 - 1984

Honors: Graduated cum laude Managing Editor of New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law

Dickinson College

B.A. | Political Science, Latin

1977 - 1981

Honors: Graduated cum laude

School Law committee member

New Jersey State Bar

2013 - Current

Member NJ State Bar Association School Law Committee

Mentro

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

2005 - Current

Mentor new lawyers taking pro bono special education cases and handle some cases

Pro Bono Attorney of the Month - June 2009

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

2009

VLJ is proud to recognize Karen Edler, Esq., of the law firm Price Meese Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C. in Woodcliff Lake as VLJ's June 2009 pro bono attorney of the month. Ms. Edler has been an active member of VLJ since 2003. Specifically, she has provided assistance to VLJ’s special education clients and their guardians with their education-based legal matters. Likewise, Ms. Edler graciously serves as a mentoring attorney – offering invaluable guidance and support to volunteer attorneys who handle special education cases on behalf of our youngest and most vulnerable clients. VLJ wishes to thank Karen Edler for the contribution of her valuable time, expertise, and compassion and Price Meese Shulman & D’Arminio, P.C. for its support of VLJ.

New Jersey Special Education Practioners

Member

2007 - Current

Activities: The New Jersey Special Education Practitioners are an association of attorneys and advocates who practice in the area of special education in New Jersey. The NJSEP is primarily focused on matters related to the representation of parents and children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Membership in the NJSEP is limited to attorneys and advocates who only represent parents and students in matters related to special education and the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Pro Bono Attorney and Mentor

2003 - Current

Activities: From Volunteer Lawyers for Justice ("VLJ") website (http://www.volunteerlawyersnj.org). VLJ recruits and trains volunteers to provide free civil legal assistance to low income clients throughout New Jersey. Volunteers include: solo practitioners; administrative staff, associates and partners from small, mid-sized and large law firms in New Jersey and New York City; corporate in-house legal departments; and students from a number of area law schools. VLJ operates seven distinct projects, all providing free services to financially eligible clients referred from community organizations. VLJ is supported entirely by gifts and grants.

New Jersey State Bar # 026451984

Member

1984 - Current

New Jersey

Since 1984

3rd Circuit

Since 2004

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1985

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• Education Law
• Civil Rights
• Estate Planning
• Social Security Disability
• Employment Law
• Landlord Tenant
• Municipal Law