David L. Disler

Counsel

Overview

David Disler is a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in education law, employment law, and labor relations. He represents public and private entities in resolving complex labor and employment matters, guiding clients through challenging circumstances with a focus on responsiveness and unique solutions. He prides himself in being responsive to his client's needs and finding unique solutions to challenging issues. His commitment to proactive problem-solving underscores his dedication to supporting clients in achieving their goals. 
David regularly provides training and speaks on pressing issues in labor and employment, and education law, including artificial intelligence, expanded sick leave, and more. He offers valuable insights on critical legal topics to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Actively involved in community and professional organizations, David has also authored numerous articles for publications, such as the New Jersey Law Journal, New Jersey Lawyer, School Leader Magazine, and the New Jersey Police Chief Magazine, ensuring clients stay informed about relevant developments in employment and education law.

Education Law

David brings a wealth of experience in education law, making him a trusted advisor to school boards of education across the state of New Jersey. In this capacity, he assists boards in navigating complex issues involving their employees, unions, students, and the community. He actively participates in public meetings, providing guidance during challenging situations and representing clients in hearings related to Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), Donaldson hearings, and grievances. Additionally, he defends clients against lawsuits and union arbitrations. David also provides training on essential topics such as the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, the Open Public Meetings Act, the School Ethics Act, and compliance with various state and federal laws. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and as a Vice President for the New Jersey Association of School Attorneys.  

Employment

David advises employers on complying with a wide range of complex employment laws, including reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), proper leave provisions under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA), and adherence to state and federal wage and hour laws. He also counsels clients through allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and breaches of the collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, David prepares a wide array of contracts, including settlement agreements, severance agreements, collective bargaining agreements, and vendor contracts. He represents employers in lawsuits related to discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and alleged retaliation cases. David routinely provides training on compliance with the law, including emerging topics like artificial intelligence in the workplace, ensuring employers are equipped to prevent potential issues.

Labor

David serves as the lead negotiator for clients during collective negotiations with their union. Upon completion of negotiations, he aids in drafting the new collective bargaining agreement. Committed to a proactive approach, David collaborates with both employers and union leadership to foster amicable solutions and maintain strong working relationships. He also regularly assists client in responding to union grievances and represents clients in arbitration and in unfair labor practice proceedings.  

Recognition

No aspect of this or any advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For ranking methodologies, please see here

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America - Labor and Employment Litigation (2021-2025); Litigation - Construction (2024 and 2025)
  • New Jersey Rising Stars® (2019-2023)

Memberships

  • New Jersey Association of School Attorneys, Vice President, Board of Trustees
  • Lehigh Lawyers Association, Board of Directors
  • Roseland Glen Condominium Association, Board of Trustees
  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • New Jersey Supreme Court District XA Ethics Committee

Community Involvement

  • Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition, Morris County Co-Coordinator

News

No aspect of this or any advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For ranking methodologies, please see here

Articles

Speaking Engagements

  • "OPRA Advanced Course," Fifty-Fourth Annual School Law Forum, 10/24/2024
  • "Game of Codes: The Battle Over Artificial Intelligence," 16th Annual Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/01/2024
  • "Artificial Intelligence," New Jersey Association for School Business Officials (NJASBO), 6/06/2024
  • "The Intersection of FMLA, FLA, & Expanded Sick Leave," New Jersey Association for School Business Officials (NJASBO), 6/05/2024
  • "ChatGPT – Generative AI History and the Impact on K-12 Education," Morris-Union Jointure Commission, 2/05/2024
  • "Keeping Up with the Rapidly Changing Employment Landscape Under Federal & Northeast State Laws," The Pool & Spa Show, 1/23/2024
  • "Considerations on Artificial Intelligence Use for Association Management Businesses, " Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives, 12/04/2023
  • "Issues Involving School Administrators — From a Board and Administrator Perspective," New Jersey School Board Association's School Law Forum, 10/26/2023
  • "Fireside Chat – School Sick Leave Law," New Jersey School Board Association's Workshop 2023, 10/25/2023
  • "Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Here! What do we do now?," The New Jersey Superintendents' Study Council, 10/19/2023
  • "Understanding NJ Sick Leave and NJ FLA…Hooray," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/04/2023
  • "The Intersection of FMLA, NJ FLA, and the New School Sick Leave Law," Passaic County Business Administrators' Round Table, 9/28/2023
  • "Porzio's 2023 School Safety Symposium", 6/01/2023
  • "Truancy and School Avoidance," New Jersey School Boards Association's Fall School Law Forum 2022, 12/14/2022
  • "Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 11/02/2022
  • "Hot Topics In Employment Law," Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Human Resources & Talent Committee, 3/08/2022
  • "The Old School and the New - Considerations for School Re-Opening," Porzio Webinar, 7/07/2020
  • "Ethical Issues Attorneys Face in Representing Cannabis Businesses," NBI's Marijuana Business Law in NJ, Princeton, NJ, 12/05/2019
  • "Political Employees: Employers’ Rights, Legal Obligations, and Practical Responses," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 20, 2021. 
  • “Reductions in Force & Chapter 66,” New Jersey School Boards Association Spring School Law Forum, July 23, 2021.
  • “Managing Staff in the COVID-19 Era,” New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Briefing Series, December 17, 2020.
  • "Politically Incorrect: Regulating Employee Speech In and Out of the Workplace," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 27, 2020.
  • “The Impact of COVID-19 on Collective Negotiations,” New Jersey School Boards Association Spring School Law Forum, June 17, 2020. 
  • "Recent Legislation Impacting New Jersey Schools," New Jersey School Boards Association School Law Forum, Atlantic City, NJ, October 24, 2019.
  • "Dress to Impress, Not to Discriminate," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 2019.
  • "Are You Being Reasonable? Handling Requests For Accommodations," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 2019.
  • "School Law for the 'Non-School' Paralegal," Paralegal Association of New Jersey's General Membership Meeting, Morristown, NJ, June 11, 2019. 
  • "Managing Employment Issues Related to Cannabis for Disability Providers," Cannabis & Disabilities: Emerging Issues & Answers, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, PC, Morristown, NJ, April 5, 2019. 
  • "New Jersey's Equal Pay Act," New Jersey State Bar Association's Corporate Counsel Institute, New Brunswick, NJ, January 31, 2019.
  • "PERC and the School Laws, Scope Petitions and Unfair Practices," New Jersey School Boards Association School Law Forum, Atlantic City, NJ, October 25, 2018.
  • "New Jersey's Equal Pay Act Explained," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, October 3, 2018.
  • "Student Residency Disputes," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Law Center, New Brunswick, NJ, September 25, 2018. 
  • "The FMLA and Other Leave Issues," National Business Institute, Princeton, NJ, July 17, 2018.   
  • "Negotiating Indemnification Provisions and Agreements," National Business Institute, Newark, NJ, December 21, 2017.
  • "Battle of the Sexes: Waging War Over Pay Equity," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 15, 2017.
  • "Negotiating Healthcare Benefits and the Sunset of Chapter 78," New Jersey School Boards Association School Law Forum, Atlantic City, NJ, October 26, 2017. 
  • "National Labor Relations Board Decisions Affecting Unionized and Non-Unionized Workplaces," National Business Institute, Newark, NJ, December 7, 2016.
  • "Cyber Security For Employers: Not A Question Of If, But When," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 15, 2016.

Relevant Experience

  • Hon. Frances A. McGrogan, Superior Court of New Jersey, Hackensack, NJ, Judicial Law Clerk.

Opinions, Decisions and Cases

  • American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey v. County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, 257 N.J. 87 (2024)
  • Rotimi A. Owoh, Esq., et al. vs. Maple Shade Police Department, No.A-3643-21, (App. Div. March 18, 2024)
  • Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC v. Township of Neptune, 254 N.J. 242 (2023)
  • In the Matter of Atlantic Recycling Group, No. A-1079-20 (App. Div. Aug. 9, 2022) 
  • In re Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive Nos. 2020-5 and 2020-6, 246 N.J. 462 (2021)
  • Matter of Ridgefield Park Bd. of Educ., 244 N.J. 1, (2020)
  • Fraternal Order of Police, Newark Lodge No. 12 v. City of Newark, 244 N.J. 75 (2020) 
  • Rivera v. Borough of Fort Lee, No. A-4006-16, (App. Div. May 3, 2019)
  • Matter of Ridgefield Park Bd. of Educ. & Ridgefield Park Educ. Ass'n, 459 N.J. Super. 57 (App. Div. 2019)
  • Paff v. Ocean Cty. Prosecutor's Office, 235 N.J. 1 (2018)
  • Squitieri v. Cnty of Passaic, No. A-3348-17 (App. Div. Apr. 1, 2019)
  • Innisfree v. Hopatcong Bd. of Educ., SSX-L-93-17 (Law Div. May 3, 2017)
  • T.O. v. Summit Bd. of Educ. UNN-L-2960-16 (Law Div. Oct. 28, 2016)
  • Mardis, et al. v. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc., et al. 2:16-CV-02115-JMV-JAD (D.N.J. 2016)