Widely recognized as one of the leading experts in the field of education and school law, Nicholas Celso III has had extensive experience as a school board attorney, university professor, consultant, trainer, school board member, school administrator and teacher. In addition to a juris doctorate, he also holds doctorate and masters degrees in education and is certified as a teacher, supervisor, principal and school administrator. His breadth of knowledge and experience affords him an unusually keen sense of perspective and insight into the particular needs of school board members and administrators.

Dr. Celso has served as board attorney for scores of boards throughout the state for many years. He has provided representation and guidance in virtually every aspect of school district operations, ranging from routine to the complex. He has litigated a myriad of matters in the courts, before the commissioner of education and various administrative agencies–such as the Public Employment Relations Commission, the State Board of Education, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, the Division on Civil Rights and the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association. In so doing, he has handled a broad spectrum of matters, including but not limited to: tenure charges, increment withholdings, challenges to non-renewals, HIB appeals, contested transfers, unfair labor practice charges, employment discrimination charges, civil rights complaints, affirmative action grievances, litigation regarding school closings, school ethics complaints, school construction matters, public contract disputes, labor negotiations, fact finding and more.

While he served as a professor in the Educational Leadership Program at the Nathan Weiss Graduate School at Kean University, Dr. Celso was fortunate to have had the privilege of teaching aspiring school administrators who were matriculating for their masters and doctoral degrees, many of whom have gone on to hold positions currently as supervisors, principals and superintendents throughout the state. He also has served as a consultant to state departments of education, and has published numerous articles, book chapters, and a handbook for educators entitled, The New Jersey Educators Legal Handbook.

Editor, Rutgers Law Review

Kappa Delta Pi, National Honor Society, Rutgers University Chapter

New Jersey Super Lawyers®, Top Rated Schools & Education, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

“Legal and Financial Liability for Inadequate Supervision of Students Before School Day Begins.” Book Chapter in “Educational Leadership in Action” by Leila Sadeghi and Kathe Callahan. Spring 2015. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“The New Jersey Educator’s Legal Handbook (7th Ed.)” Omni Publishers. 2012. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Compliance with Legally Mandated Teacher Evaluation Practices: A Preliminary Inquiry.” Focus on Education published by New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 2006. Print (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“School Violence: Trends, Developments and Prevention Strategies.” School Connections published by Kean University. 2001. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Some Basic Rules for Solving the Tenure Puzzle.” Focus on Education published by New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 2006. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“The Public’s Schools.” School Leader published by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). September/October 1998. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Practical Problems and Pitfalls in Establishing an Educational Foundation.” NJASA Perspective, XIII, No.3 published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1997. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, co-author)

“How the Law Affects Educational Supervision.” Book Chapter in “Educational supervision: Perspectives, issues and controversies” by J. Glanz and R. Nevelle. Christopher-Gorden Publishers, Inc. 1996. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Knowing Where You’re Going in School Construction.” NJASA Perspective, XI, No.3 published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1997. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Using Standardized Testing to Promote Effectiveness Through Data-Based Management.” NJASA Perspective IV published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1986. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, co-author)

“The Administration, Supervision, and Coaching of Teaching.” NJASA Perspective III published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1985. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, author)

“Building an Effective Staff Development Program: Theory Into Practice – The Bloomfield Model.” NJASA Perspective III published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1985. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, co-author)

“Putting Theory Into Practice in Bloomfield.” NJASA Perspective III published by New Jersey School Administrators Association (NJASA). 1985. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, co-author)

“Good Planning: The Key to a Sound Budget.” School Leader published by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). 1985. Print. (Nicholas Celso III, co-author)

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 2014, “New Jerseys New Tenure Law: Promises and Pitfalls.” – October 2014. Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey Association of School Administrators / New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Spring Leadership Conference, “Any Given Crisis: Tackling Your School Board’s Crisis One Play at a Time” – May 12, 2016, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey Association of School Administrators / New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Spring Leadership Conference, “The TEACH NJ Act—One Year Later.” – May 2013, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE), “TEACH NJ Act Workshop Conference.” – February 2013, Edison, NJ

New Jersey Association of School Administrators / New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Spring Leadership Conference, “Schools and the Internet.” – May 2010, Atlantic City, NJ

National School Boards Association Annual Conference, “Sexual Harassment in the Schools –Plaintiffs from the Playground and the Classroom.” – May 2000, Orlando, FL

Kean University, Wenzhou (China) Seminars in Education, “American Education: Organization and Law.” – November 1999, Union, NJ

New Jersey School Boards Association Annual Workshop 1999, “Labor Relations Workshop” – October 1999, Atlantic City, NJ

New Jersey Association of School Administrators Spring Leadership Conference, “Sexual Harassment in the Schools.” – May 1999, Atlantic City, NJ