Jessica L. Ritter

Jessica Ritter is chair of Shipman's School Law Practice Group, and a member (and former co-chair) of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Jessica represents schools in a broad range of student, school governance and employment matters. In the labor and employment arena, she regularly negotiates certified and non-certified collective bargaining agreements on behalf of public boards of education and advocates for public schools in arbitrations and in a wide variety of administrative proceedings before various state agencies. She also advises public and independent schools on student conduct issues, school policies, labor disputes and employment litigation arising in the education context.

Jessica understands the complex, overlapping demands facing educators, school boards and administrative leadership. As a result of her longstanding client relationships, she has developed extensive institutional knowledge and provides continuity as school leadership changes over time. She uses this history and lessons learned to help clients adapt and respond proactively to rapidly developing legal and regulatory issues, including the impact of COVID-19 and vaccination availability on the application of US Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Department of Education, and related federal and state requirements; National Collegiate Athletic Administration (NCAA) eligibility; and closing the achievement gap.