For Immediate Release

October 23, 2023

Genova Burns Adds School Finance Specialist David Sciarra to its Ranks

Genova Burns LLC is proud to announce the addition of David Sciarra to the firm. Mr. Sciarra will be serving as Of Counsel.

Before joining the firm, Mr. Sciarra served as the head of Education Law Center in Newark for over twenty years. He became a pivotal figure in the fight for educational equity over that time. Most notably, he was integral in the landmark Abbott vs. Burke case where the Education Law Center claimed New Jersey’s method of funding public schools under the Public School Education Act of 1975 was unconstitutional. The ruling compelled the school system in the state to reduce inequalities in its funding and ensure all students regardless of economic background have access to education.

“The most significant is the Abbott mandate for high quality early education for all three and four-year-olds in high poverty communities,” Sciarra said of the case.

Sciarra credits his predecessor at the Education Law Center as a source of inspiration.

“My predecessor…Marilyn Morheuser. Her tenacity in the fight for education justice for politically powerless and vulnerable children is a model for using the law as an instrument of social advancement,” Sciarra said.

Despite all these advances in education, Mr. Sciarra believes we have a long way to go, and there are things holding students back. Mr. Sciarra said one thing holding education back today is “our collective failure to hold the states accountable for the condition of our local public schools.

“Dave Sciarra is a legend in the world of New Jersey public school finance,” says Angelo Genova, Chairman of Genova Burns LLC. “ As former Executive Director of the Education Law Center, he is the architect of the seminal cases in insuring the necessary support to public school children in New Jersey’s challenged Abbot districts. He has made difference in their lives and in the foundations to meet the constitutional mandates that each child receive an equal, thorough and efficient education,” he continued.  “David brings that skill set to Genova Burns as an appellate and Supreme  Court advocate with premier talent. With David’s joining our firm ,we hope to bring that skill set to  every school district New Jersey which seeks to insure that its students receive their due when it comes to school funding for educational programs and school facilities. We are pleased he has chosen to make Genova Burns his professional home upon leaving the Education Law Center, “ concluded Genova.

Mr. Sciarra brings years of experience to the firm. He also has advice for those just starting their professional careers.  “Stay grounded in the core values of being a responsible person to your family and community and a responsible citizen in our democratic society,” Sciarra says. “The world needs this more than ever right now.”

Mr. Sciarra has practiced as a civil rights lawyer since 1978, working on cases involving socioeconomic rights, affordable housing, welfare rights, and much more. He also writes and lectures on education law and policy. Mr. Sciarra received his B.A. from UC Berkeley, and his J.D. from Temple University School of Law.

Genova Burns is proud to offer a range of unsurpassed legal services across multiple areas and industries. The firm is truly on the cutting edge of market trends and opportunities with expanding practices including bankruptcy, energy, real estate incentives and the cannabis industry. Genova Burns also has extensive experience in labor law, transportation and logistics law, and corporate law, among others. The key difference is the Firm’s ability to operate as a large entity. However, Genova Burns still remains nimble enough to serve clients with an unrivaled, personal approach and a “get-it-done” culture that has made the firm well-renowned worldwide.