Mayra Lira is the Supervising Staff Attorney for Public Counsel's Education Rights Team. She oversees a team that combines legal advocacy with social work support to address racial and economic inequalities and confront the school to prison pipeline and the opportunity gap for students of color. Her practice includes direct representation of families with children with disabilities and youth who are system-involved in all stages of special education advocacy and students facing expulsion and school pushout. Mayra leverages what the team learns in individual cases to inform policy reform efforts at the local and state level. 

Selene Almazan, Esq. (MD) has been a member of COPAA since its inception in 1998.  Selene was on the Board of Directors from 2003-2014.  She has represented students and families for nearly 30 years.  Selene is a former Supervising Attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland where she represented children in the foster care system, including representation in special education matters. For nearly 23 years, Selene represented parents in special education matters with a primary focus on least restrictive environment (LRE) issues at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education.  Since September 2014, Selene has been the Legal Director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) where she supports the work of the Amicus Committee as well as works on federal and local policy issues.  Since May 2015 Selene maintains a private practice focusing on parent and student representation in special education matters, including LRE. She represents families at IEP team meetings, state complaint proceedings, mediations, due process hearings, suspension/expulsion proceedings and federal court proceedings, including matters involving violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. She has extensive experience training families, teachers, school administrators, attorneys and advocates on legal issues related to special education law as well as disability discrimination issues.

Lisa A. Hernandez is Counsel at Smith Eibeler, LLC. Lisa practices plaintiff-side employment law, representing individuals in all aspects of employment law and litigation, including claims of unlawful termination and discrimination, sexual harassment and whistle-blower retaliation. Lisa also leads the firm’s education law practice, helping families and students with disabilities navigate special education disputes, school-based accommodations, and transition planning to prepare students for employment and independent living.

Jennifer D. Laviano, (CT) holds a B.A. in English Literature from Skidmore College and earned her J.D., cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Jennifer Laviano is an attorney in private practice in Connecticut who focuses on the representation of children and adolescents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Her representation includes attendance at IEP team meetings and mediation and zealous advocacy in litigation in due process hearings and federal court. Attorney Laviano is a regular presenter, locally and nationally, on the Civil Rights of students with disabilities, and is the co-author of the popular book, Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You.

Ms. Scavongelli is a a staff attorney and has been with the EdLaw since 2012 when she joined the project as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. Ms. Scavongelli graduated Northeastern University School of Law. A recipient of a Rappaport Fellowship at the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate and a recipient of a Hennessy Fellowship at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, Ms. Scavongelli brings a wide range of experience to the Project. In addition to serving EdLaw, Ms. Scavongelli is on the board of Bottom Line, an organization that is dedicated to helping disadvantaged students get into college and on the board of CASA, an organization that recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children before the Suffolk County.

Timothy A. Sindelar is a senior attorney at the EdLaw Project. He was a solo practitioner in Newton, with a practice focused on the representation of children and adults with disabilities, including special education and other litigation concerning the rights of children to essential services such as education and health care. Before entering private practice, Mr. Sindelar spent over 20 years in public interest law, including eight years as a senior staff attorney at the Disability Law Center in Boston, where he divided his time between work in the special education and health. Mr. Sindelar also worked in legal services programs in Massachusetts, Nebraska, and West Virginia, as both an attorney and program director. Mr. Sindelar has also taught in the law schools of Northeastern University, Boston College, West Virginia University, and the University of Nebraska. Mr. Sindelar has represented hundreds of families in matters before the Bureau of Special Education Appeals and the state and federal courts on special education issues. He has also worked with parents’ groups on legislative and regulatory issues pertaining to special education and health issues and served on a number of advisory groups for the Massachusetts Departments of Education and Mental Retardation and the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Tim has presented testimony to committees of the United States Senate and the Massachusetts General Court on education and health matters. Mr. Sindelar is a frequent speaker at trainings and conferences on special education and children’s health

Amy Langerman is a licensed attorney in the State of Arizona and a special education consultant in San Diego County, California. She is also a parent of a child with special needs. Amy's unique collaborative style working with IEP teams in California often results in parents, teachers and administrators leaving the room saying “That was the best IEP meeting I have ever attended”.

Amy graduated with honors from the Arizona State University College of Law and worked for 20 years as a civil litigation attorney, handling complex medical malpractice, employment discrimination and insurance cases. Amy served as president of the Arizona Trial Lawyers association and headed its amicus curiae (friend of the court) committee for 20 years. 

Mandy Leigh is a partner at the Leigh Law Group. Since 2004, Mandy principally focuses on strategic, compassionate and knowledgeable representation of children and parents. She handles cases in special education, discrimination and harassment, expulsions, suspensions, employment law, both public and private sector, and in education law. Mandy also represents consumers in In Home Support Services (“IHSS”) and Regional Center ISP’s, IPP’s and fair hearings. Mandy is a strong attorney advocate at IEP meetings and Section 504 plan meetings. She has a long history of representing hundreds of Parents and children. She is known for having a straightforward approach that focuses on the child’s needs. She is a force when it comes to strategizing every step of the way as to how to accomplish the ultimate goal of learning and access to schools for all children. Parents appreciate that she takes the lead at these meetings ensuring that no stone is left unturned when it comes to providing quality education for children with special needs. She is the go-to person for a variety of cases ranging from simple to complex and represents children in all categories of eligibility. Setting her apart from many others is Mandy’s wealth of experience not just attending IEP meetings and Section 504 plan meetings, but she heads litigation in special education administrative due process hearings, the firm's law and motion practice in state and federal court and has appeared before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of children with disabilities. Mandy has also appeared in the state appellate court and has a keen grasp of when to take issues on appeal. She has obtained important published opinions and has obtained favorable settlement outcomes for her clients.

Damien B. Troutman is an Associate Attorney with the Leigh Law Group. He handles cases in employment law, special education, expulsions, suspensions, and education law. On both a personal and professional level he advocates for individuals with disabilities and without fail is a trusted, incredible and overall loveable attorney advocate. Damien has been a civil rights litigator throughout his entire career. He represents parents and children in IHSS, Special Education, Expulsion, Regional Center and discrimination matters. Prior to joining the Leigh Law Group, he litigated employment discrimination cases against large corporate and governmental employers for a plaintiff-side firm in San Francisco. Damien has extensive experience in guiding clients through every stage of litigation, including jury trials in both state and federal court. Additionally, Damien has drafted federal appeals throughout the county in the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal. Damien earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. He served as a student member of the Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court, an organization focused on cultivating legal ethics, civility, and professionalism. Damien received two Witkin Awards for earning the highest grade in two courses, Law & Politics and Jurisprudence

Jean Murrell Adams opened the law firm of ADAMS ESQ in October of 2002.  Ms. Adams’ experiences in advocating for a child with exceptional needs compelled her to establish a special education law practice.  The over 25 attorneys, advocates and staff of ADAMS ESQ are committed to improving the lives of children with disabilities by advocating for a free and appropriate education.  ADAMS ESQ has expanded to six locations throughout California and Nevada.

David M. Grey, Esq. is a partner with the law firm of Grey & Grey in California. David is an experienced special education attorney who has successfully handled a lot of due process hearings and appeals in state and federal court. He has experience with a broad range of special education matters. A significant number of his cases involve people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing or those who are in danger of being seriously hurt if not properly served by the school. David has a growing interest in using civil rights laws to obtain injunctive relief and damages beyond what is provided for under IDEA.

Prior to his special education practice, David focused on employment and real estate disputes, where he had many jury trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings. He is a cum laude graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and received his law degree from Hofstra University in New York. David has lectured and written extensively on a variety of legal topics. Most recently he was successful in convincing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse summary judgment against two of his clients in K.M. v. Tustin Unified School District, 725 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 2013)(cert. denied). The Ninth Circuit made clear that compliance with IDEA does not foreclose rights available under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Kathryn ("Katie") Newell is an attorney at Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center (RMCLC).  Prior to joining RMCLC, she was a partner at Griffin Newell, LLC, a Denver law firm that she co-founded in 2019.  Katie has extensive experience advocating for students with disabilities.  She is a Montana native and received her undergraduate degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.  She obtained her JD from UC Berkeley, School of Law in 2007.  Before practicing law in Colorado, Katie worked in San Antonio as a managing attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.

Missy Alexander is the Director of Education at The Parents’ Place of Maryland, has been with the organization since 2002. She is the mother of an adult daughter with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, who was educated in the St. Mary’s County Public Schools for her entire academic career. She is the Co-Chair of the St. Mary’s County Local Management Board, serving as a community member. She is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), serving on its Board of Directors where she was the first advocate to serve as Board Chair. Missy’s approach in working with families is driven by the firm belief that parents are the best advocates for their children, and she provides them with the information, support and encouragement to empower them to do so.

Theresa Sester, a mother of three, including one child with Autism and another with ADHD, has firsthand experience navigating the California public school system. She specializes in a broad range of services, from advocacy and dispute resolution to vocational planning for young adults. Theresa's deep understanding of federal and state laws enables her to bridge the achievement gap, ensuring that children with special needs receive appropriate educational programs and services. She actively participates in IEP meetings, reviews evaluations, and, when necessary, advocates for additional assessments. Theresa also excels in facilitating positive relationships between families and school districts, offering parent coaching and linking families with essential community resources. Her comprehensive approach and dedication to advocacy make her an invaluable asset to parents navigating the special education system. Beyond her advocacy, Theresa is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and serves as the Co-Chair on the Parent Committee.