Patricia Morgan has joined Porzio Governmental Affairs as a director of public affairs, bringing more than a decade of education policy experience to the Morristown-based group. She also will serve under the title of counsel with Porzio, Bromberg & Newman‘s Education Law Team.
Morgan has in-depth experience in special education, school ethics, school funding and student discipline and works with traditional public-school districts, charter schools, private schools for students with disabilities and higher education institutions.
“We are pleased to welcome Patricia to our team and know that her deep understanding of the educational systems throughout the state, paired with her extensive policy experience, will help us continue to provide exceptional service to our clients,” Vito Gagliardi, managing principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman and president of Porzio Governmental Affairs, said. “Patricia is highly regarded throughout New Jersey for her advocacy for a better educational system and we look forward to her contributions.”
Morgan is a former assistant commissioner and chief legal and external affairs officer for the New Jersey Department of Education. During her tenure, she was responsible for more than 50 employees and oversaw key offices and provided valuable counsel on legislation, strategic litigation, implementation of key initiatives, policy development and regulatory compliance.
Morgan also served as assistant counsel in the Governor’s Office, advising the governor on issues related to the Department of Education, focusing on K-12 education, higher education as well as children and families.
She said she is eager to get going.
“New Jersey’s education community has been critically important to me throughout my career,” she said. “I am eager to capitalize on the strong platform that the law firm and Porzio Governmental Affairs have established, and I look forward to using my varied expertise to provide strategic counsel and shape important policy.”
Morgan received her J.D. from the Seton Hall School of Law and earned her B.A. from Drew University. She clerked for the Hon. Stuart J. Rabner, chief justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and the Hon. Peter G. Sheridan in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. Morgan serves on the board of trustees for Autism New Jersey and for the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts.
