Karen F. Edler

Karen Edler has twenty-four years of experience in the field of education law, including advocating for parents in connection with obtaining a free, appropriate public education for their children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”). Ms. Edler provides a wide range of services to parents including obtaining appropriate educational services from school districts, reviewing Individual Education Plans (“IEP”) and Section 504 Plans. Ms. Edler represents any student with educational issues including handling school disciplinary matters and board hearings through all levels of education. She also provides special needs planning, including the preparation of Special Needs Trusts and guardianship applications.

Ms. Edler is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s School Law Committee and a member of the New Jersey Special Education Practitioners group. Ms. Edler also works as a pro bono attorney and mentor for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. Ms. Edler presents and participates in numerous special education and advocacy seminars and panels. Ms. Edler participated in a Volunteer Lawyers for Justice free webinar, Special Education Law and Advocacy During COVID-19, for parents of children with special needs. Ms. Edler was a panelist on NJ Spotlight’s Virtual Roundtable: School’s Out: Special Education During COVID-19 which also included the Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, the Director of the Office of Special Education and an educator from Pennsauken.

Ms. Edler also practices in the areas of commercial real estate, corporate transactions, and commercial leasing. Ms. Edler manages numerous commercial real estate acquisitions and closings, including an urban renewal redevelopment matter with a loan and bond facilities totaling in excess of eighty-five million dollars. Ms. Edler also handles corporate formation, mergers and acquisitions and advises businesses on corporate matters.

Ms. Edler is a cum laude graduate of Dickinson College, where she earned a BA degree in Political Science, with a minor in Latin. She earned her law degree, cum laude, from New York Law School, where she was the Managing Editor of New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law. After law school, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert E. Hamer, J.S.C., Law Division, Bergen County. During the course of her career, Ms. Edler litigated in numerous courts and represented various public entities including municipalities, planning boards, and boards of adjustment. Additionally, she served as the Public Defender in a Bergen County municipality.

Karen Edler was selected to 2021 list of AV Preeminent lawyers. This award is conferred by Martindale-Hubbell. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://www.martindale.com/ratings-and-reviews/. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.