By design, the entire litigation team at Mayerson & Associates has been carefully assembled from widely diverse, yet entirely complementary backgrounds. These backgrounds include significant commercial trial experience, years of service as the dean of students for a private school in Westchester County, as a New York State Impartial Hearing Officer, as an attorney litigating on behalf of the New York City Department of Education and as a former special education teacher working for New York City in a public school District 75 “autism” program. Regular staff meetings give the firm’s attorneys and paralegals the opportunity to gain a unique insight—the ability to examine each problem through a variety of different lenses.
Gary S. Mayerson
Gary Mayerson is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University. In early 2000, Gary founded Mayerson & Associates as the very first civil rights law firm in the nation dedicated to representing individuals with autism and related developmental disorders.
Gary speaks regularly at national conferences and major universities and has testified before Congress on the subject of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (“IDEIA”). Gary is well published in the field and is the author of How To Compromise With Your School District Without Compromising Your Child (DRL Books 2005), the “Legal Considerations” chapter appearing in the Second Edition of Dr. Donna Geffner’s book, Auditory Processing Disorders (2013), and the “Autism in the Courtroom” chapter appearing in the just released Fourth Edition of Dr. Fred R. Volkmar’s seminal treatise, Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (2014).
Gary has been interviewed by the Today Show (NBC), Dan Rather (HDNet), Katie Couric, CNN, HLN, ABC, New York Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, among other media.
In addition to the U.S. Supreme Court, Gary is admitted to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Gary is responsible for more than sixty reported federal court decisions, including Deal v. Hamilton County, the very first autism case to ever reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Gary’s work also was instrumental in T.K. v. NYCDOE (bullying recognized as a “FAPE” deprivation), R.E. v. NYCDOE and C.F. v. NYCDOE (cases rejecting school district’s attempts to rely upon “impermissible retrospective evidence” at trial), T.M. v. Cornwall (imposing financial consequences on school district that failed and refused to honor a student’s “pendency” rights), L.B. v. Nebo School District (pertaining to “supported inclusion” and Congress’ “least restrictive environment” mandate) and Starego v. NJSIAA, a federal court settlement affording Anthony Starego, a 19-year-old high school placekicker with autism, an unprecedented fifth season of interscholastic competition (incredibly, that additional season had a storybook ending, with Anthony and his team going on to win the 2013 State Championship 26-15 after Anthony contributed points from two successful field goals!).
Gary has served on the national board of Autism Speaks since its inception in 2005 and founded its Federal Legal Appeals Project, a pro bono initiative at the federal level. In addition, Gary serves on the Board of JobPath, a not-for-profit based in Manhattan that is dedicated to securing and supporting meaningful employment opportunities for adults with autism. Gary also serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the New England Center for Children (NECC), a residential school for students with autism located in Southborough, Massachusetts.
Tracey Spencer Walsh
Partner Tracey Spencer Walsh is a 1994 graduate of the Fordham University School of Law and joined Mayerson & Associates in 2008 after 21 years of solid experience with Skadden, Arps, et al., Mendes & Mount, Sullivan & Worcester, and Griffin, Coogan & Veneruso. Tracey’s unique experiences have included service as the Dean of Students at a private school in Westchester, and working for Prime Minister Edward Heath, acting as a liaison with the House of Commons. Tracey is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut and also is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Second and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Tracey is widely published on a variety of special education law issues, including tuition reimbursement, funding for home services, and bullying. In addition to her writing, Tracey often is a featured speaker at national autism conferences as well as the annual conferences sponsored by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). In March, 2014, Tracey gave two, full-day presentations at COPAA’s annual 2014 national conference. Earlier this school year, Tracey designed and chaired the New York State Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Seminar, “Special Education Law Update.”
Tracey successfully argued R.K. v. NYCDOE before the Second Circuit, helping to define the limits of the “due deference” doctrine in New York, Connecticut and Vermont. Most recently, Tracey was responsible for a recent decision ordering the New York City Department of Education to “include” a student with Down Syndrome in a mainstream classroom and to hire an “inclusion specialist.”
Tracey works on many of the firm’s pro bono matters, including amicus briefs filed on behalf of Autism Speaks. Tracey also is an Adjunct Law Professor at her alma mater, Fordham University School of Law, teaching “Special Education Law.”
On a more personal note, Tracey has two family members who are on the autism spectrum.
Jean Marie Brescia
Jean Marie Brescia, the firm’s Senior Litigating Attorney, is a graduate of Harvard Law School and is admitted to practice in New York and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. After graduating from law school, Jean Marie worked as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell. From 1988 to 1994, Jean Marie was a staff attorney in the Civil Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City and then an appellate attorney in its Juvenile Rights Division. Jean Marie received The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Service Award for her work in the area of juvenile rights.
Since 1995, Jean Marie has been an active New York impartial hearing officer (IHO), presiding over and deciding more than 500 special education due process hearings. In addition to her highly respected work as an IHO, Jean Marie has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School, teaching Special Education Law and Practice. At Mayerson & Associates, Jean Marie litigates at all trial and appellate levels. She also devotes a portion of her time to acting as a mentor to more junior attorneys.
Jean Marie served for many years on the PTA in her community, focusing much of her work on ensuring adequate provision of educational resources to English language learners and economically underprivileged children.
Maria C. McGinley
Maria McGinley joined Mayerson & Associates as an associate upon her graduation from New York Law School. Significantly, prior to law school, Maria was employed by the New York City Department of Education as a special education classroom teacher assigned to a 6:1:1 District 75 “autism” classroom. Maria also worked for a private agency in New York and New Jersey, providing early intervention services. While Maria very much enjoyed her work as a public school special education teacher, she struggled with the fact that many school-based programs were neither adequate nor appropriate. Ultimately, that internal struggle is what prompted Maria to leave teaching and go to law school.
At Mayerson & Associates, Maria continues to promote the rights and entitlements of individuals with autism. Maria has an excellent track record prevailing in due process cases at both the administrative and federal levels. Maria publishes on many special education topics and regularly presents at local and national conferences and at continuing legal education seminars.
In 2013 alone, Maria was a featured speaker at the 2013 YAI International Conference, presenting on “Effectively Navigating the IEP Process” and the 2013 NYSBA Special Education Law Update, presenting, “Preparing Your Case for Appeal.” She also was a featured presenter/lecturer at nearly a dozen other lectures and seminars. Maria’s article, “The Importance of the Express Provisions of the IEP for Students with Disabilities and the Impact of R.E. v. N.Y.C. Dep’t of Educ.,” was published earlier this year in the Elder and Special Needs Law Journal. Most recently, Maria was interviewed by WNBC as part of a segment pertaining to school safety issues.
In addition to her work at the firm, Maria is committed to organizing fund-raising walks on behalf of Autism Speaks. Maria recently was appointed to chair Autism Speaks’ New Jersey 2014 Walk. For several years, Maria has headed the Mayerson & Associates walk team, participating in both the NYC and NJ Walks. Maria also helps to prepare amicus briefs for the Autism Speaks Federal Legal Appeals Project, a pro bono initiative at the federal level.
Jacqueline DeVore
Jacqueline DeVore (“Jackie”), a graduate of the City University of New York School of Law and the College of New Jersey, litigates matters at the administrative and federal levels. Jackie is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the District Court of New Jersey.
Jackie is a passionate advocate who is a zealous advocate for the rights of children and their families. Earlier in her career, Jackie worked as a community advocate for a New Jersey domestic violence non-profit agency. After graduating from law school, Jackie became an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases in its Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureaus. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Jackie was hired as a litigator for the New York City Department of Education General Counsel’s Special Education Unit. Jackie was handpicked to join the Mayerson & Associates litigation team due to her excellent litigation and advocacy skills, as well as her demonstrable passion for advancing the rights of students with disabilities.
Most recently, Jackie has successfully litigated a number of “inclusion” cases, both in New York and in New Jersey. Such cases include Jackie’s work in Starego v. NJSIAA, where Anthony Starego, a 19-year-old student with autism, was awarded an unprecedented fifth season of competitive play as a starting placekicker on his school’s varsity football team.
Jackie was awarded an NYU Revson Public Interest Fellowship and co-authored an article published in a British journal, Reproductive Health Matters. She also has lectured on special education topics and was honored as the keynote speaker at the 2010 County College of Morris’ Women Who Dare Conference and at a 2012 Women in Learning and Leadership event sponsored by The College of New Jersey.
Janna C. Wince
Janna Wince, the firm’s reimbursement specialist and notary, received her law degree from New York Law School. Janna also holds a B.F.A. in Stage Management from the University of Miami. Janna is admitted to practice law in New York State and has been working at Mayerson & Associates since her graduation in 2008. Janna currently is pursuing a Legal Law Masters (LLM) in Taxation at New York Law School.
While attending New York Law School, Janna was an active member the Student Bar Association. During her third year, she was the American Bar Association’s designated Representative. In that capacity, Janna coordinated her law school’s participation in national competitions.
Doris Fernandez
Doris Fernandez, the firm’s Office Manager, joined Mayerson & Associates in late 2008, shortly after graduating from the City College of New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. For many years prior to joining Mayerson & Associates, Doris worked in administration for Beth Israel Medical Center, working directly for its Chairman of Head and Neck Surgery. Doris is a busy and devoted mother of twin boys and has personal experience with the IEP process. Everyone loves Doris! Doris’ charisma and compassion, and her unique ability to respond to our family’s needs and concerns, is an invaluable asset to our practice.
Mauricio Bertone
Mauricio Bertone, the firm’s Chief Paralegal, graduated in 1995 from Sacred Heart University in Bauru, Sao Paolo, Brazil with a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Analysis. After moving to the United States, Mauricio became interested in the law. In 2002, Mauricio became certified in Paralegal Studies by New York University. Mauricio joined Mayerson & Associates in 2005 and today, as the firm’s Chief Paralegal, Mauricio is involved in all aspects of litigation, from supervising the other paralegals in hearing preparation efforts (assembling and disseminating disclosures, subpoena responses, etc.) to taking a lead role in pressing and documenting our day-to-day settlement discussions with the City.
Valerie Harris
Valerie, the firm’s Financial Administrator since its inception in 2000, holds a Master’s Degree from Florida State University. Valerie previously served as an adjunct professor at Marymount College and a crisis counselor for abused children. Valerie has twin boys, one of whom has autism.
Roselyn Disla
Roselyn Disla graduated from St. John’s University in 2007, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Roselyn joined Mayerson and Associates as a paralegal in 2009 and provides important litigation support.
Alex Ford
Alex joined Mayerson & Associates as a paralegal in the spring of 2012. He is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
Randy Richardson
Randy Richardson, now an Assistant Paralegal, first came to Mayerson & Associates in 2012 and works under the supervision of the firm’s Chief Paralegal and Office Manager.
Sean LeVan
Sean LeVan is the newest member of Mayerson & Associates, joining our team shortly after graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in May of 2013 with a B.A. in Communication Arts. Sean originally is from Southern California and has lived in New York City for three years. Sean supports and assists the paralegal unit, as well as our Financial Administrator.