Kerri A. Wright

Wright, Kerri

Principal Morristown, NJ
973.889.4327
kawright@pbnlaw.com

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Kerri Wright is a principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. and a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, where she co-chairs the Education and Employment Team. She focuses her practice in the areas of education law and employment law, specifically in representation of management in both employment counseling and employment litigation.

Kerri handles a variety of employment law matters for the firm’s public and private sector clients in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies, including the EEOC and the New Jersey Department of Labor. She has litigation and counseling experience in numerous areas of employment law, including issues involving wage and hour claims, restrictive covenants, harassment, discrimination, and whistleblowing. She has successfully defended management in class-action wage and hour lawsuits and has handled numerous investigations by management into allegations of employee wrongdoing.

Kerri has significant experience representing and counseling school boards, charter schools, private schools and colleges in a variety of areas. She is one of only a few experts in the State in the area of reconfiguring school districts, including the creation and dissolution of regional school districts and the creation and termination of sending-receiving relationships.

As an elected member of the Chester Board of Education in Morris County, Kerri is serving in her fifth term. She served several years as the President of the Board, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board’s negotiation committee. She has successfully negotiated employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements with each one of the Board’s labor groups.

Opinions, Decisions and Cases
  • Matter of Ridgefield Park Bd. of Educ. & Ridgefield Park Educ. Ass'n, N.J. (August 17, 2020)
  • Matter of Ridgefield Park Bd. of Educ. & Ridgefield Park Educ. Ass'n, 459 N.J. Super. 57 (App. Div. 2019)

  • Mardis, et al. v. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc., et al. 2:16-CV-02115-JMV-JAD (D.N.J. 2016)

  • C.M., on behalf of Minor Children, J.M., E.M., and E.M. v. Board of Education of the Township of Springfield, Union County, OAL Dkt No. EDU 06664-18, aff'd by Comm'r Agency Dkt No. 89-4/18 (September 2018)

  • Township of Berkeley v. Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education, et al., N.J. App. Div., Dkt No. A-2678-12T3, A-2826-12T3, A-1943-13T3 and A-1968-13T3 (August 2017)

  • In Re Petition for Authorization to Conduct a Referendum on the Withdrawal of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake from the Pascack Valley Regional School District, N.J. App. Div., Dkt No. A-4084-13T2 (July 2017)

  • Board of Education of Merchantville v. Board of Education of Pennsauken, OAL Dkt No. EDU 1927-12, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 10-1/12 (April 2015)

  • A.K. & D.K. o/b/o B.K. v. Springfield Township Bd. of Ed., OAL Dkt No. EDS 05970-14, Agency Dkt No. 2009-14115 (Oct. 2015)

  • In the Matter of December 9, 2014 Special School Election, 439 N.J. Super. 416 (App. Div. 2015)

  • In the Matter of The Petition for Authorization to Conduct a Referendum on the Withdrawal of North Haledon School District from the Passaic County Manchester Regional High School District, State of New Jersey, 2015 WL 6181332 (App. Div. 2015)

  • Edmondson v. Elmer, et al., 424 N.J. Super. 256 (App. Div. 2012)

  • Securitas Security Services, U.S.A., Inc., v. New Jersey Department of Treasury, Division of Purchase and Property, et al., N.J. App. Div., Dkt No. A-2608-10T4, A 5965-10T4 and A-0894-11T4

  • J.K., on behalf of minor child, P.B., v. Board of Education of the Township of Springfield, Union County, OAL Dkt No. EDU 09972-09, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 219-8/09

  • Maureen Miller v. Board of Education of the Township of Clinton, Hunterdon County, OAL Dkt No. EDU 11444-10, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 555-9/10

  • Betsy Carey v. Bd. of Educ. of Twp. of Springfield, Union County, 2010 OAL Docket No. EDU 11994-09, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 222-9/09

  • Michael C. Matthews, Jr. v. The New Jersey Institute of Technology, et al., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59171, Civil Action No. 09-2840

  • Michael C. Matthews, Jr. v. The New Jersey Institute of Technology, et al., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27182, Civil Action No. 09-2840

  • KVL Audio Visual Services, Inc. v. Hackworth, 2010 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 107, (App. Div. 2010)(unpublished)

  • N.J. Ass'n of School Business Officials v. Davy, 409 N.J. Super. 467 (App. Div. 2009)

  • Bd. of Educ. of Borough of Newfield v. Bd. of Educ. of Buena Reg'l Schl. Dist., 2009 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 728, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 50-2/07

  • Jennifer Wallace v. Bd. of Educ. of Twp. of Franklin, 2008 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 804, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 250-7/06

  • Donald Sloan v. Bd. of Educ. of Twp. of Clinton, 2007 N.J. AGEN LEXIS 641, aff'd by Comm'r, Agency Dkt No. 956-07

Honors and Awards
  • Recognized on the New Jersey Super Lawyers List, Education and Employment, 2017, Employment and Labor, 2018-2019
  • Recognized in the 2016 edition of New Jersey Law Journal's New Leaders of the Bar
  • Recognized in the 2012-2015 editions of New Jersey Super Lawyers "Rising Stars," Employment & Labor
  • LeadNJ Graduate, 2014
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, Trial Academy, Graduate, 2008

 

Organizations/Memberships
  • Fellow, LeadNJ, 2014 - Present
  • Chester Board of Education, Member, 2007 - Present, Vice President, 2010 - 2012; President, 2013 - 2015
  • Member of the New Jersey Association of School Attorneys
  • Morris County Bar Association
  • New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
Publications
Speaking Engagements
  • "Examining the Importance of Leave Laws in the Final Months of FFCRA and Beyond," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 27, 2020.
  • "The Old School and the New - Considerations for School Re-Opening," Porzio Webinar, July 7, 2020.
  • "New Jersey Schools Update: Considerations for Graduation and Other Commencement Ceremonies," Porzio Webinar, June 4, 2020.
  • "NJ Business and Employment Issues During COVID-19: What Business Leaders Must Know," NJMEP Webinar, April 13, 2020.
  • "NJ Business and Employment Issues during COVID-19: What CEOs and Business Leaders Must Know," Young President's Organization – NJ Chapter Webinar, April 9, 2020.
  • "One Year Later: Advanced Topics in Paid Leave," Porzio Employment Law Forum, October 2019.
  • Moderator, "Planning and Developing a School Safety Plan: Do's and Don'ts," New Jersey School Safety Symposium, Porzio Compliance Services, Morristown, NJ, March 29, 2019.
  • "Roundtable: How to Choose the Right Security Professional for Your District: A Guide to Selection, Addressing Administrative and Legal Issues," New Jersey School Safety Symposium, Porzio Compliance Services, Morristown, NJ, March 29, 2019. 
  • "Sexual Harassment: Lessons Learned Following #MeToo," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, October 3, 2018. 
  • "Hot Topics: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," NJCPA, Webinar, July 12, 2018.
  • "Sexual Harassment," Morris County Chamber of Commerce Not For Profit Roundtable, Florham Park, NJ, June 21, 2018. 
  • "Current Trends and Best Practices in Human Resources," ASAH's 5th Annual Symposium for Business Office and Human Resources Personnel, South Iselin, NJ, May 18, 2018.
  • "HIPAA Update," ASAH's 5th Annual Symposium for Business Office and Human Resources Personnel, South Iselin, NJ, May 18, 2018.
  • "Data Privacy & CyberSecurity: Practical Steps to Protect Your School," New Jersey Association of School Administrators, Monroe Township, NJ, May 23, 2018. 
  • "Data Privacy & CyberSecurity: Practical Steps to Protect Your School," New Jersey Association of School Administrators' TECHSPO '18, Atlantic City, NJ, January 25, 2018.
  • "Friending, Social Media & Ethics - Dangerous Liaisons: Ethical Implications Inherent to Friending Your Adversary," Ethics & Eggs, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., Morristown, NJ, December 1, 2017.
  • "The Rise of Wearable Technology in the Workplace: Implications For Your Wellness Programs and Trade Secrets" and "Legal and Regulatory Update," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 15, 2017.
  • "New Employment Regs," NJCPA Bergen and Hudson Chapters' Annual Tax Seminar, Saddle Brook, NJ, November 4, 2017. 
  • "Dangerous Liaisons: Ethical Implications Inherent To Friending Your Adversary," Network of Trial Law Firms Conference, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, October 27, 2017. 
  • "Safeguarding Employee Personal Information with Consideration of New NJDOE Annual Disclosure Form and DOE Regulations," ASAH's 4th Annual Symposium for Business Office and Human Resources Personnel, Iselin, NJ, May 19, 2017.
  • "Managing Strategic Partnerships/Joint Ventures," Business Owners Symposium Series, Morristown, NJ, April 7, 2017.
  • "Personnel Files," ASAH Human Resource Group Meeting, Edison, NJ, March 7, 2017.
  • "Critical Contracts for Your Organization," ASAH Business Managers Workshop, Edison, NJ, December 15, 2016. 
  • "New Employment Regs," NJCPA Bergen Chapter Annual Tax Seminar, Paramus, NJ, November 19, 2016.
  • "Critical Changes To The FLSA: Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 15, 2016.
  • "Social Media: Part Two - What Happens When You No Longer 'Like' Your Employees," Business Owners Symposium Series, Morristown, NJ, October 21, 2016.
  • "Social Media Legal Issues for Owners - Take off Your Marketing Hat and Put on Your Owner Hat," Business Owners Symposium Series, Morristown, NJ, June 17, 2016.
  • "Creating the South Hunterdon Regional School District: Lessons Learned and Future Plans," Bringing Students Together, Princeton, NJ, June 15, 2016.
  • "Employment Law 101: How to Draft PSSD Employee Contracts and How to Handle Health Benefits during Medical and Family Leaves," ASAH's 3rd Annual Symposium for Business Office and Human Resources Personnel, Iselin, NJ, May 13, 2016.
  • "Changes Affecting Business Utilization of Independent Contractors," Business Owners Symposium Series, Morristown, NJ, April 15, 2016.
  • "Advanced Topics in Family and Medical Leave," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 20, 2015.
  • "How to put the "Independent" in Independent Contractor Status," Bergen Chapter NJCPA Annual Tax Seminar, Paramus, NJ, November 14, 2015.
  • "Risk Assessment – Corporate and Tax Compliance to Maintain Your Non-Profit Business: Failure to Comply Can Put You Out of Business," ASAH's 38th Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, November 13, 2015.
  • "Cyber Security," The New Jersey Law Journal's In-House Counsel CLE Program, Florham Park, NJ, September 15, 2015.
  • "Training Program: Everything You Need To Know About Unions," Morris County, NJ, May 15, 2015.
  • "What Your Lawyer Wishes That You Knew," The Alternative Board NJ, Pine Brook, NJ, April 17, 2015.
  • "The Basics on Charter Schools and Tax," 7th Annual New Jersey Charter Schools Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, March 30, 2015.
  • "School Law for the Non-School Lawyer," New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, December 19, 2014.
  • "Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights," National Business Institute, Newark, NJ, December 9, 2014.
  • "New Regulations, Legislation, and Case Law Impacting Your Business," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 17, 2014.
  • "Staff Rights and Responsibilities," Morris County Association of School Administrators, July 17, 2014.
  • "Cutting Edge Wage and Hour Issues: From BYOD to Unpaid Interns," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, November 15, 2013.
  • "Recent Supreme Court Decisions and Implications for Employers," DuPont, Wilmington, DE, August 13, 2013.
  • "Current Hot Topics in Charter School Law," New Jersey Charter Schools Conference, April 15, 2013.
  • "You’re Fired: Addressing and Properly Handling the Challenges of Employee Terminations," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, December 3, 2012.
  • "Employment Laws Made Simple: Wage and Hour issues," National Business Institute, Newark, NJ, June 13, 2012.
  • "Social Media For Your Non-Profit Organization," ARC of New Jersey, May 30, 2012.
  • "Employment Law Topics That Impact Your Business," New Jersey Child Care Association's Annual Conference, New Brunswick, NJ, March 31, 2012.
  • “Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights," National Business Institute, Princeton, NJ, January 24, 2012.
  • "Communicating with the Troops: How to Best Document and Distribute Information on Company Policies," Porzio Employment Law Forum, November 17, 2011.
  • "Cutting Edge Wage and Hour Issues: Avoiding Emerging Pitfalls," Porzio Employment Law Forum, November 17, 2011.
  • "Hot Legal Topics that Impact Your Business," New Jersey Child Care Association's Partners in Education Child Care Conference, Raritan, NJ, April 2, 2011.
  • "Wage and Hour: The U.S. DOL Initiatives and Lessons Learned from Class Action Lawsuits," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, October 26, 2010.
  • "The Benefits of Sharing Services Between School Districts and Municipalities," State and Local Officials Roundtable, Cranford, NJ, April 29, 2010.
  • "Student Drug Testing," Student Privacy: The Top 4 Hot Button Legal Issues, NBI Seminar, Princeton, NJ, March 23, 2010.
  • "Recent Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA")" and "Case Law Update on NJ Law Against Discrimination," Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, October 6, 2009.
  • "Governance and Education," Morris County Administrators and Supervisors Association, Morristown NJ, August 5, 2009.
  • "Written Rules of the Workplace," Professional Women’s Group, Madison, New Jersey, May 16, 2006.

Practice

Industries

Related Media

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 2005
  • New York, 2006
  • United States Supreme Court, 2019
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2017
  • United States District Court, District of New Jersey, 2005
  • United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 2006
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2006

Education

Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, GA, J.D., cum laude, 2005

  • Articles Editor, Emory Law Journal
  • Order of the Coif
  • 2005 State Bar of Georgia Labor and Employment Law Section Award
  • Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement in Employment Discrimination
  • Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement in Torts
  • Dean’s List

Seton Hall University, Newark, NJ, M.P.Adm., 2002

Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, B.A., magna cum laude, 2001

  • Dean’s List
  • Member of Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society
  • Member of Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society

Contact Address

100 Southgate Parkway

Morristown, NJ 07962-1997

Phone: 973.538.4006

Fax: 973.538.5146

  • Wright, Kerri

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