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Michael Brustein, Esquire

Founding Partner

Having served as an attorney adviser to the former United States Office of Education, and Chief of the Adult and Vocational Education Branch in the HEW Office of General Counsel / Education Division, Michael Brustein served on the transition team to establish the United States Education Department. Following the opening of the new federal department in May 1980, he founded the firm Brustein & Manasevit with Leigh Manasevit (retired) in July 1980. In 2023, the Firm changed it name to The Bruman Group, PLLC paying homage to both founding partners.

Over the past 40 years, the Firm has worked with all 50 states, many school districts, postsecondary institutions, and national education organizations on issues related to federal support of education and workforce development. Over this period of time Michael Brustein has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on federal grants management, audit resolution, as well as workforce education and development issues.

Bar and Court Admissions:


  • District of Columbia, 1979
  • New York, 1982
  • U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit, 1976
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1978

Education:


  • University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, CT, J.D.
  • New York University, New York, NY, B.A.
  • Major: Political Science
  • Honors: Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Honors Scholar, Pi Sigma Alpha

Publications: