Ariel S. Zitrin
Because our children come first
Ariel Zitrin is the former First Deputy Director for the New York City Department of Education’s Special Education Legal Unit (SEU). As First Deputy Director, Ms. Zitrin oversaw the day-to-day operation of the unit and supervised a staff of over 200 attorneys and paralegals in their investigation, settlement and/or litigation of all special education complaints brought against the DOE by parents seeking funding for private school tuition and special services.
In addition to the complex legal work performed by Ms. Zitrin during her tenure with the SEU, managing a unit as large as the SEU afforded her the opportunity to gain experience in the areas of public policy, operations, human resources, labor relations and organizational development.
In January, 2023, after twelve years with the SEU, Ms. Zitrin made the difficult decision to leave the DOE for a new opportunity that would bring her closer to home and allow her to live and work in the same community. As Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New Rochelle, Ms. Zitrin was responsible for, or played a role in, all of the City’s legal matters including, but not limited to, legislation, zoning and planning, policy guidance, contract drafting and review, torts and general litigation, and prosecution of city code violations. Though Ms. Zitrin enjoyed working for the citizens of New Rochelle, she soon realized that her professional passion remains in the areas of education law and organizational development. It was this realization that gave rise to AZ Law & Consulting, PLLC (AZL&C) in January, 2024.
- Education Law
- Organizational Development Consultation for Education Institutions
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- New York
- New York State Office of Court Administration
- ID Number: 4312526
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- Elisabeth Haub School of Law - Pace University
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- Elisabeth Haub School of Law - Pace University
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- New York State Bar # 4312526
- Member
- - Current
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- Succession Planning: Practical and Ethical Benefits for Solo Practitioners and Small Firms
- Digital Westchester Lawyer Magazine
- Ethical Considerations When Representing Clients in The School Law Context
- Practicing Law Institute
- Special Education School Law Ethics Considerations: Who is your client?, Westchester County, New York
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
- Special Education & The School District’s Legal Obligations to Students with Disabilities, Westchester County, New York
- WCBA
- Southern District of New York bar admission
- United States District Court
- New York State bar admission
- Second Department
