In good health, proud of her accomplishments, and grateful to her colleagues, collaborators, and clients, our Pittsburgh Director, Nancy A. Hubley, will be leaving the Education Law Center to retire effective June 3, 2022.

As a civil rights lawyer committed to work that is informed and led by parents, students, and community partners, Nancy has spent more than three decades at ELC. As an advocate for education justice, Nancy pursued ELC’s mission to ensure all children in Pennsylvania have access to a quality public education.

Nancy’s work, like her impact, has been multifaceted. She has handled cases across ELC’s program areas, including representing students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, refugee and immigrant students, Black girls, students involved in the foster care and juvenile justice system, and many who live and learn at the intersection of multiple identities. Nancy’s advocacy has created and enforced legal rights for children, beginning in early childhood. She has always had a penchant for the youngest learners.

Nancy has been a valued colleague and community partner. She is well-respected by parents, policymakers, and opposing counsel. Her cases, advocacy, vision, and leadership have resulted in legislative and policy reforms, precedent-setting cases, and increased access and equity in public education for the most underserved students. Throughout her career, Nancy has mentored many law students and young lawyers who now share her commitment to public education.

Nancy has been honored for her work regionally, statewide, and nationally as a champion for students with disabilities, an advocate for children experiencing homelessness, a community partner for refugee students, a racial justice advocate, and a public interest attorney. When she received the Distinguished Achievement in Law Award from the University of Pittsburgh’s Tri-State Area School Study Council, they described her as, “A woman whose competency, commitment, and advocacy on behalf of public education are exceeded by none and matched by few. The legacy of her legal efforts will be long-lasting admiration, respect, and gratitude.”

We echo that sentiment and more  ̶  we are grateful for Nancy’s incredible contributions to education law and policy and her leadership at ELC, in western Pennsylvania, and statewide.

As Nancy steps away, ELC will be conducting a national search for the Pittsburgh Director position. In the meantime, ELC’s work in western Pennsylvania and across the commonwealth continues to ensure all children in Pennsylvania have access to quality public education. Feel free to be in touch with Senior Attorney Hetal Dhagat or Executive Director Deborah Klehr for questions related to our Pittsburgh office.  

Stay tuned for opportunities to join us in celebrating and thanking Nancy in the coming months!