John F. Cafferky

John F. Cafferky is an education and employment lawyer who has focused his career on advising and defending public, charter, and private schools since 1986. His work covers education law, school governance, employment issues, administrative proceedings, and litigation. He also serves as general counsel to several Northern Virginia school boards, helping them address legal questions that affect school operations and decision-making.

John earned a B.A. from the College of William and Mary in 1982, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1986. His academic training provided a strong foundation for the legal analysis, careful judgment, and practical problem-solving required in education law and employment matters.

John represents school clients before the EEOC, the Office for Civil Rights, and other state and federal agencies. He also handles employee grievances and cases in Virginia and the District of Columbia trial and appellate courts. His experience includes matters involving students with disabilities under state law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504. He advises school boards on budgets, employment, FOIA compliance, contracts, policies, facilities, litigation, and meeting procedures.

John F. Cafferky is recognized for his work in education law. He has appeared in The Best Lawyers in America for Education Law since 2008 and was named its 2025 Education Law Lawyer of the Year. He is also AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected to Virginia Super Lawyers. He co-authored the Virginia School Law Deskbook and has served on the board of the Virginia Council of School Attorneys.

Law Office Affiliations

• Principal, Blankingship & Keith, PC
• Member, Virginia Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association

Licensed State

• Virginia
• District of Columbia

Education

• Harvard Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• College of William and Mary
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)