ATTORNEY PROFILE
John Alton Podgurski joined the Law Offices of John A. Podgurski in 2024, where his practice focuses on public administrative law, education law, labor and employment law, and special education law. Before entering private practice, John worked as an auditor for a public accounting firm in Cleveland, where he gained valuable experience in financial systems and public-sector accountability.
John advises K–12 public school districts on a wide range of legal matters. His public administrative law practice includes school board governance, compliance with Sunshine Laws and public records regulations, and ethics and conflict-of-interest policies. In the field of education law, John regularly counsels districts on student residency issues, discipline procedures, FERPA compliance, and Title IX. He also provides guidance on labor and employment matters such as teacher contracts, collective bargaining, and workplace harassment claims. In special education law, John advises on compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
John graduated cum laude from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Systems and a minor in Computer Science. He earned his law degree summa cum laude from Cleveland State University College of Law in 2024, graduating as co-valedictorian. During law school, John served as Managing Editor of the Cleveland State Law Review, where he was named Editor of the Year. He also co-founded the school’s CyberLaw Society and served as Treasurer for both that organization and the Intellectual Property & Technology Association.
John gained hands-on legal experience clerking at a white collar criminal defense firm and advising nonprofit organizations through the Cleveland State University’s Transactional Law Clinic.
