ATTORNEY PROFILE
John Anthony Podgurski is the founding attorney of his law firm, which he established in 1991 following a distinguished early career in public education and government affairs. Prior to entering private practice, John served for eight years in school administration, working as both an assistant treasurer and business manager for K–12 public school districts. He then transitioned into government relations, where he further deepened his understanding of public sector operations before launching his own legal practice.
For over three decades, John has served as general counsel to K–12 public school districts throughout Ohio. He advises boards of education and school administrators on a wide range of legal issues that arise in the course of public education governance and administration. His practice encompasses all major areas of school law, including education law, special education law, labor and employment law, and public administrative law.
John’s education law practice includes counseling districts on student rights and discipline, privacy issues under FERPA, and Title IX compliance. He is deeply experienced in special education matters, regularly advising on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and representing schools in due process hearings. In labor and employment matters, John provides guidance on teacher contracts, tenure, collective bargaining, discrimination claims, workplace harassment, and leave-related issues under the FMLA.
In the realm of public governance, John helps school boards navigate open meetings laws, public records requests, board policy development, and ethics compliance. He also provides strategic counsel on the full range of legal issues that public school districts may encounter, from litigation defense to policy implementation.
John regularly negotiates contracts and collective bargaining agreements on behalf of school clients, and represents them in grievance arbitrations and due process hearings. He frequently presents to school boards and provides in-service training on current legal topics affecting school operations and compliance.
John earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Kent State University and received his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
