Every child is entitled to an appropriate education.
McGinley Law Group zealously represents parents with special needs children.
We attribute our high success rates to developing extremely strong, meritorious cases while supporting our client families at every step of the way.
Meet Maria McGinley
Maria McGinley is one of NYC’s premiere special education attorneys. She has represented hundreds of families and is an expert litigator with an excellent track record at both the administrative and federal levels. Maria has authored many articles on a variety of special education topics and regularly presents at local, national, and international conferences as well as continuing legal education seminars. She has been interviewed by the media regarding special education and safety issues. Maria is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the NJ Chapter of Autism Speaks and sits on the Development Board of QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community).
Prior to law school, Maria was employed by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) as a special education classroom teacher. Initially hired to be an “ABA teacher” providing individual pull-out ABA sessions for young children with autism in a District 75 special education school, she went on to teach in multiple 6:1:1 District 75 “autism” classes as well as 15:1 high school classes. She also provided early intervention services through a private agency. While Maria loved being a teacher, she recognized that many NYC students were not receiving appropriate services and support to meet their individual needs. Her experience as an educator is an invaluable asset to our clients.
Under the federal IDEA statute, students with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education, and that education can mean the difference between success and struggle later in life. Many parents come to us when they are in a very difficult situation and need guidance in understanding their rights and how to secure an appropriate educational program for their child. We are honored to be given the opportunity to work with our client families, whether that involves helping secure an appropriate placement for your child, negotiating a settlement with a school district or taking a case to hearing.
Our Services
In addition to representing students with highly complex special education programs, The McGinley Law Group handles matters ranging from IEP development, tuition reimbursement, inclusion, assistive technology, compensatory education, vocational/transition training, and more. The vast majority of our practice is concentrated within NYC, and we occasionally represent clients in Westchester, Long Island or New Jersey.
The scope of our legal services include:
- Special Education Consultation
- Settlements
- Complex Educational Programs
- 1:1 ABA Instruction
- Inclusion and Mainstreaming
- Transportation
- Transition from Early Intervention (EI) to Preschool (CPSE)
- Preparation for IEP Meetings
- Reimbursement and Funding
- Private School Placements
- Community-based Services
- Least Restrictive Environment
- Residential Programs
- Turning Five Process
- Impartial Hearings
- Pendency
- Home-based Services
- Guidance with Evaluations
- Compensatory Education
- Transition Planning
- Families moving to NYC
Seeking Legal Representation or a Free Consultation?
If you are seeking legal representation or free consultation, please fill out our intake form, and we will contact you.
Please note that the submission of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
