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Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is California’s premier labor, education, and employment law firm. We provide training, education, and legal representation to hundreds of public agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across the state of California.
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Michael Blacher

Partner
310.981.2031 | mblacher@lcwlegal.com

Michael Blacher is the Chair of the firm’s Private Education Practice Group. He represents educational institutions in all aspects of labor, employment, and education law. Michael has successfully defended claims involving alleged harassment, discrimination and retaliation, disability accommodation, First Amendment, and alleged violation of wage and hour laws. Michael also advises educational institutions in Office of Civil Rights investigations and has handled a number of Title IX cases. Michael often advises boards on governance and other issues, including updates to bylaws. He works extensively on contractual matters such as employment and enrollment agreements as well as employee and student handbooks. Michael also represents clients during arbitrations and administrative hearings.

A frequent presenter, Michael has provided a number of individualized trainings for schools, such as AB 1825 training. He also regularly presents at the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Trustee/Head of School conference, the National Association of Independent School (NAIS) annual conference, and the National Business Officer (NBOA) annual meeting. He is one of the firm’s most popular trainers.

Prior to joining Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Michael worked on documentary films, including the Academy Award winner, The Long Way Home. He also worked at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

Photo team member

Expertise

Education

JD, Loyola School of Law, Los Angeles

MA, University of California, Los Angeles

BA, University of California, Riverside

Did You Know

Michael studied "back in the USSR."

Wrongful Termination Claim (2015) – A private university obtained summary judgment against a former employee who alleged harassment and discrimination. The University’s former Director of Student Recruitment claimed that the University terminated her in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Specifically, she alleged that her termination was motivated by her race and disability. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of the University. The Court determined the documented complaints, and verified attempts by plaintiff’s supervisor to improve her performance, constituted legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for separating her. Plaintiff could not proffer sufficient evidence to support her claims of harassment or discrimination.

Discrimination Claim (2011) – A private school terminated employee for misconduct. He then filed a claim with the EEOC and threatened litigation based on a claim of discriminations. The School put forth legitimate, nondiscriminatory basis for terminating the employee who then formally dropped the suit.

Religious Discrimination (2011) – A religious school restricted applicants to those whose religious beliefs were consistent with those of the school. Within the School rejected an applicant based on religion, he filled a claim with the EEOC. The School responded that it appropriately followed state and federal law. Both the EEOC and applicant dropped the complaint.

Defense Verdict For School District On Student Discipline (2010) – School district disciplined a student for cheating. Parents appealed using internal district procedure and lost at each level. Then parents sought a writ, which the court denied.

Breach of Contract Claim (2010) – A private school laid off a secretary who brought suit in breach of contract. The secretary sought attorneys’ fees, damages, and penalties under the Labor Code. The School demurred and the court granted the motion without leave to amend.

Permissibility of Requiring That Employees at Private Schools Receive the COVID-19 Vaccination
12/07/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

Given the recent news coverage concerning COVID-19 vaccines and the government’s distribution plan for such vaccines, many of our private school clients have inquired whether it will be permissible to require school employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. This question is important from a public...

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Governor Newsom Announces New Regional Stay At Home Order (Private Education)
12/04/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

On December 3, in order to slow the unprecedented rise in the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new Regional Stay At Home Order (the “Order”).
The Order will take effect on December 5, 2020 in any region of the state, as...

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CDC Reduces Recommended Quarantine Period Following “Close Contact” Exposures to Individuals with COVID-19 – What Private Schools Need to Know
12/03/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

On December 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. The guidance reduces the recommended quarantine period from 14 days to either 10...

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California Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Issue Updated Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings
11/24/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

On November 16, 2020, in response to significant increases in the incidence rates of COVID-19 in the state, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated guidance concerning the use of face coverings. The updated guidance requires that individuals wear a face covering at all...

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California Department of Public Health Issues COVID-19 Travel Advisory Recommending 14-Day Self Quarantine for Any Non-Essential Travel Out of State and Previous Public Health Guidance Issued Regarding Holiday Gatherings and Higher Risk Activities
11/13/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

On November 13, 2020, in response to alarming increases in the incidence rates of COVID-19 in other countries and states, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued a travel advisory to California residents.  This travel advisory follows recent state and federal guidance limiting...

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Federal Funding and Federal Laws: What Participating in Federal Loan Programs Means for California Private Schools
04/17/2020
LCW Special Bulletin

Federal funds are available to assist California private schools respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), both offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as the recently announced Main Street Lending...

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Reference Checks
07/20/2018
National Business Officers Association (NBOA)’s Net Assets Magazine

Checking references should be a part of every school’s hiring practice.  It increases the likelihood of making a well-informed hiring decision, protects against claims of negligent hiring, and demonstrates fairness, equity, and transparency in the recruitment process. Yet we repeatedly find that...

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Anxious Parents in a Litigious Age
07/20/2018
National Business Officers Association (NBOA)’s Net Assets Magazine

Managing relationships between schools and parents is becoming more, not less, difficult.  Parent anxiety generally reflects concerns about their children: social interactions, academic achievement (at increasingly younger ages), and eventually college enrollment.  The result can be parents...

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Exchange Programs and Host Families
07/20/2018
National Business Officers Association (NBOA)’s Net Assets Magazine

The world is getting smaller and students are exploring it in greater numbers.  Exchange programs and stays with host families, once an oddity, are increasingly the norm.  As schools integrate these programs into their curriculum, families expect their children to participate in them.
Yet with...

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