Attorneys
Jason C. Parkin
General Counsel
jparkin@fcoe.org
Jason C. Parkin joined FCSS Legal Services in 2009. Jason advises and assists school districts in all aspects of school labor and employment matters, including classified and certificated disciplinary actions, leave issues, claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, workplace investigations, classified and certificated layoffs, PERB cases, and collective bargaining. Jason has conducted many workshops for school districts on education law topics, including school personnel and student issues. Prior to joining FCSS Legal Services, Jason’s practice focused on employment litigation, and labor and employment law. Jason received his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He joined the State Bar in 2000.
Janae D. Castellani
Legal Counsel
jcastellani@fcoe.org
Janae D. Castellani joined FCSS Legal Services in 2025 and has represented and advised school districts and county offices of education since 2017. Her practice and expertise include all aspects of labor and employment matters, including labor negotiations, employee leave rights, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions and CalSTRS/CalPERS retirement issues, as well as general board governance. Janae received her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. She joined the State Bar in 2013.
Chris Lozano
Legal Counsel
clozano@fcoe.org
Chris Lozano joined FCOE Legal Services in 2013. Chris represents and advises school districts on a variety of matters, including certificated dismissals, third party lawsuits, California Public Records Act requests, contract negotiation and preparation, and board policies. Chris has provided training on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities. Prior to joining FCSS Legal Services, Chris was in private practice for over 15 years with the law firm of McCormick Barstow as a member of its Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Practice Group and served from 1994 to 1998 as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Chris received his J.D. from California Western School of Law. He joined the State Bar in 1995.
Robert V. Piacente
Legal Counsel
rpiacente@fcoe.org
Robert V. Piacente joined FCSS Legal Services in 2006. His practice and expertise includes general education law with a focus on personnel issues. Rob has worked extensively with school districts regarding all employment matters, including PERB cases, grievance proceedings, harassment investigations, discrimination claims, classified and certificated disciplinary actions, and staff reductions. He has thorough, in-depth knowledge regarding California Education Code and all other legal requirements affecting public school employment. Rob received his J.D. from San Joaquin College of Law. He joined the State Bar in 1992.
Benjamin C. Rosenbaum
Legal Counsel
brosenbaum@fcoe.org
Benjamin C. Rosenbaum joined FCSS Legal Services in 2016, and he has represented and advised school districts and county superintendents regarding education law matters since 2012. His practice and expertise include student issues, business and facilities matters, labor and employment, general governance, elections, and school district organization. Benjamin has a particular focus on both technology and civil rights issues related to education, including 1:1 computing initiatives, and discipline for cyber misconduct. He received his J.D. from the University of California, Davis. He joined the State Bar in 2009.
