Claudio Melendez-Cooper

Claudio Melendez-Cooper is an associate in the firm’s School Law practice group, where he advises schools on a wide range of matters, including general school law, special education, student discipline and labor and employment matters.

Prior to joining Shipman, Claudio served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Jose Suarez of the Connecticut Appellate Court. While he was in law school, he interned at the U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights and Massachusetts Advocates for Children and externed at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts – Civil Rights Unit.

Before earning his law degree, Claudio held several positions at nonprofit organizations focused on advancing educational opportunities for Connecticut students. He has extensive experience working with school funding formulas and teacher pension systems. A son of immigrants, Claudio grew up in Waterford, Connecticut.