Ms. McCauley Parles, of Counsel to the Firm, is responsible for the training and supervision of associates in the special education and disabilities law group.  She has practiced for many years in the areas of labor and employment law in addition to special education and disabilities law.  Ms. McCauley Parles started her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Sex Crimes/Special Victims Bureau of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.

Ms. McCauley Parles currently serves as the Director of the Center for Leadership Studies and as the Director of the Junior MBA Program at the Stillman School of Business of Seton Hall University.  In addition, Ms. McCauley Parles is an Instructor in the Department of Finance and Legal Studies.

Ms. McCauley Parles has represented numerous not for profit organizations in the disabilities community as well as families of children with autism in special education, guardianship and related matters.  She is a founder of the Quest Autism Foundation and the Special Quest Recreation Program.

Ms. McCauley Parles is admitted to the New Jersey Bar and New York State Bar as well as to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Ms. McCauley Parles has received numerous awards including, “Everyday Hero Award,” RNN, Cablevision of New Jersey (2006); “5 of 5” Teaching Evaluation, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University (2005-2006); Research Excellence Award, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University (2005); Nominee, The Russ Berrie Award for Making A Difference (2004) Recognition Award for Contributions in the Field of Law, La Tribuna Newspaper of Hudson County (1999); Program Enhancement Award, Bancroft Young Autism Program (1997); and Outstanding Woman in Law, Town of Brookhaven, New York, (1991).

Ms. McCauley Parles has been involved for many years in important community organizations. She is Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee, Quest Autism Foundation, Inc., Wyckoff, New Jersey; Member, Board of Directors, Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center, Warwick, New York; Member, Board of Directors, Quest Autism Programs, Inc,Wyckoff, New Jersey; Member, Autism Task Force, Catholic Charities of New Jersey, Inc., Newark, New Jersey; Member, Government Affairs Committee, COSAC, Ewing, New Jersey; Member, Professional Advisory Committee Family Support Council of New Jersey, Brick Township, New Jersey; Member, Human Rights Committee, Alpine Learning Group, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey Member, Task Force on Autism, UMDNJ, Newark, New Jersey; Action Advocate, 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women; Chairperson, “Music From The Heart,” New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra Benefit Concert; Founder, “Celebrating Differences” presentation for typical peers on accepting individuals with disabilities, Allendale, New Jersey; and Trainer, Green Circle Program, Hillside School, Allendale, New Jersey. She is also a Volunteer, New Jersey Employers Association.

Ms. McCauley Parles is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, the National Association of Employment Lawyers, the New Jersey Special Education Practitioners Group and the Bergen County Women Lawyers Association.

She received her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and her B.A. cum laude from Hamilton College.

The following are recent presentations featuring Ms. McCauley Parles:

Publications 

“Sarbanes-Oxley: An Overview of Current Issues and Concerns,” (submitted May 2006). UnderReview; “Title VII Liability After Ellerth and Farragher: An Employer’s Duty to Conduct Prompt, Thorough and Impartial Investigations of Sexual Harassment Complaints”, 36 Business Law Review 153 (Spring 2003)

Contributing author, “Family Violence Manual” Suffolk County Bar Association (1989)

Amicus Brief: In the Matter of Baby M.” 14 Women’s Rights Law Reporter 243 (Spring-Fall 1992).