OUR TEAM
Our experience as parents, educators, and educational representatives reinforces
our commitment to advocating for children and young adults.
Maria C. McGinley received her J.D. from New York Law School, her Master’s degree from Fordham University Graduate School of Education, and her Bachelor’s degree from New York University.
Maria has been in the special education field for nearly two decades. In her prior career, Maria was a New York City Department of Education Special Education 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 classes as well as 15:1 high school classes. Maria also provided early intervention services through a private agency. Maria loved being a teacher, but she recognized that many NYC students were not receiving appropriate services and supports to meet their individual needs. Maria’s experience as an educator is an invaluable benefit to her clients.
Maria has been in the special education law sector since 2009. She has represented hundreds of families and has an excellent track record at both the administrative and federal levels. Having family members with autism and ADHD, Maria truly understands the struggles families endure when their children are not getting the education they need. Maria’s vast and successful experience as a special education teacher and a special education attorney is an asset that clients want and need.
Some of Maria’s notable federal cases include: S.A. v. New York City Department of Education, awarding compensatory education services, T.Y. v. New York City Department of Education, awarding tuition reimbursement and PROMPT speech therapy services, T.K. v. New York City Department of Education, a landmark bullying case, T.M. v. Cornwall Central School District, a landmark least restrictive environment “LRE” case, C.F. v. New York City Department of Education, a matter involving a student’s need for 1:1 ABA instruction, R.E. v. New York City Department of Education, a landmark decision regarding what evidence can and cannot be used at hearing, P.K. v. New York City Department of Education, a matter involving a student’s need for 1:1 ABA instruction and additional services, Doe v. Darien, a matter involving the sexual abuse of a student by a paraprofessional, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District RE 1 (as amicus), the Supreme Court’s 2017 decision adopting a robust FAPE standard, Ermini v. Vittori, 758 F.3d 153 (as amicus), a case involving an international custody dispute brought under the Hague Convention involving a student’s need for ABA therapy, and C.L. v. New York City Department of Education, 2014 WL 278405 (as amicus), a matter involving a student who required 1:1 instruction to learn.
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. Maria also 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).
Maria resides in NJ with her longtime partner (a kindred spirit with over 25 years of special education experience), her stepson, her daughter and their family dog. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family and she is passionate about mentoring law students and new attorneys with an interest in special education law.
Bar Admissions: New York and New Jersey United States Supreme Court United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit United States District Court for the Eastern of New York United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Susan Wagner (“Sue”) is a highly experienced lawyer and advocate, both at the trial and appellate levels. Susan graduated with honors from Barnard College and received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1994. She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the King’s County District Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Violence and Appeals Bureaus. After a brief hiatus as a stay-at-home mom, which also included navigating the special education landscape as a parent, Susan resumed her legal career in the private sector. She initially applied her well-honed litigation skills representing clients in domestic violence, divorce, and custody matters that often included families dealing with special needs and disabilities. Intent on continuing to help families and children with disabilities, Susan transitioned to special education law in 2017 and has been tirelessly advocating for her clients ever since. Susan combines her passions, talents, and skills assisting families in securing the necessary supports and services for their children.
Susan is the mother of three children and resides in New Jersey with her husband of 30+ years and a rescue pup. “As a parent who has navigated this process, I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to use my advocacy and litigation talents and skills for such a worthwhile and meaningful cause.”
She is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey.
Amanda Ribustello is McGinley Law Group’s Chief Reimbursement Attorney. Prior to joining McGinley Law
Group, Amanda was a family law attorney specializing in high conflict cases involving equitable distribution, business valuation and complex financial issues, among other things.
Ms. Ribustello graduated cum laude from Rutgers School of Law – Newark in 2013. She earned the
Myron Harkavy Prize, awarded to the student showing the most promise as a trial attorney. At Rutgers-Newark, Ms. Ribustello was a member of the National Mock Trial Team, and represented Rutgers-Newark. Her team was the first in the school’s history to qualify for and attend the National Trial Competition Finals in San Antonio, Texas, where she was awarded an American College of Trial Lawyers Medallion for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. Ms. Ribustello graduated cum laude from the University of Rhode Island in 2008, earning a B.S. in Textiles, Merchandising, and Design. After graduating from law school, Ms. Ribustello served as law clerk to the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C.
Prior to joining this firm, Ms. Ribustello’s prior legal career included attorney positions at the law firms DALE Legal followed by Finnerty, Canda & Concannon. She represented clients in high-conflict, complex matrimonial litigation. Ms. Ribustello also was an Associate Editor of the New Jersey Family Lawyer, an EarlySettlement Panelist, an appointed attorney member of the District IIB FeeArbitration Committee. Ms. Ribustello was selected to the New Jersey Rising Stars list of Super Lawyers Magazine in 2019 and 2020, and she was named to the 10 Best Attorneys list of the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. Ms. Ribustello was also named as one of the Best Lawyers for Families for 2018 and 2019 by New Jersey Family Magazine. In 2017, she was recognized as one of the Top Lawyers in Bergen County in the area of Matrimonial & Family Law by 201 Magazine, and she was also recognized as a top lawyer in Bergen County in the field of Family Law by Bergen Magazine in 2017 and 2018.
Ms. Ribustello is licensed to practice in the State of New York and New Jersey.
Mauricio Bertone has nearly 20 years of experience as a paralegal handling exclusively special education matters in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area. Mauricio graduated from Sacred Heart University in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a bachelor’s degree in systems Analysis. After working at Coca-Cola in their IT department and then another long-term position elsewhere, Mauricio attended New York University to secure his certification in Paralegal Studies.
Mauricio is involved in all aspects of client representation and he plays a vital role for our clients in all aspects of their matters. Mauricio has been aggressively and effectively supporting client settlements with the New York City Department of Education for almost two decades. He has seen it all and he brings this experience to the table for each of our client families. He also supports all other aspects of our work with clients, including when matters are proceeding to litigation. Over the years, he has developed excellent relationships with clients, colleagues, and professionals. Those relationships, coupled with his significant experience, passion, and drive for excellence, allow him to support client families and help the team achieve great results.
Mauricio lives in New Jersey with his husband. He enjoys warm weather, delicious meals, time with family and friends, weekend getaways and traveling. He is also the founder of a highly esteemed NJ-based massage therapy practice, where he provides massage therapy in the evenings and on weekends.
Blake Michael received his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law, his M.P.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and his B.A. from Cornell University.
Prior to graduating from law school, Blake was a middle and high school teacher for nearly a decade. While teaching in Oklahoma, Blake piloted a program wherein students on track to graduate at 20 years old could accelerate an academic year. After relocating to New Jersey and entering law school, he continued teaching while writing curriculum for a local nonprofit to bring legal education to high school students. Upon graduation, he practiced civil litigation with an emphasis on municipal law. Eager to combine his passion for education with his love of law, Blake transitioned into the special education law arena. Blake leverages his classroom experience and legal experience to be a fierce advocate for his clients.
Blake lives in New Jersey with his husband and two very spoiled dogs. He enjoys weekend getaways, landscaping, and finding new projects at home.
Sarah Wagner, who is ironically not related to Susan, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University where she received a Bachelors degree in both Psychology and in English, with a focus on Editing, Writing, and Media. During her undergraduate studies, she was a Staff Writer for a student-run magazine publication and an Intern for an independent press book publisher.
Sarah is passionate about her goal to attend law school and become an attorney in the near future, and she is thrilled to be working with our client families as a part of our paralegal team. In her free time, she loves to cozy up with a good book or spend quality time with her family and friends.
Stephanie Baker is one of our Reimbursement Specialists. Graduating from Arizona State University with her undergraduate degree and later earning her graduate degree from Montclair State, Stephanie embarked on a decade-long career in Special Education in both New Jersey and Nevada. Working with Middle and High School students of all abilities, Stephanie strived to create an inclusive, challenging, engaging and fun learning environment for all students. She is most proud of implementing a Mindfulness Program into her classroom, which grew to be school-wide in the form of “Club CALM” where students learned self-regulation, stress and anger management techniques. The best part … the students led and facilitated the meetings.
During her time as a teacher, Stephanie also coached HS volleyball and softball. She was a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics and Girls on the Run. Although Stephanie has transitioned her professional focus to the field of Holistic Health and Wellness, she remains dedicated to supporting the special needs community through her work at our firm. When she’s not immersed in her professional endeavors, Stephanie finds joy in exploring the world through travel, cycling, playing pickleball and spending time with her family and 3 pups.
Monica Parisi is one the firm’s reimbursement specialists. Ms. Parisi joined McGinley Law Group in order to continue her passion for helping individuals with disabilities access appropriate educational opportunities. Ms. Parisi has many years of experience as a adminstrative assistance. Her background also includes experience as a teacher for children aged birth through kindergarten. Prior to that, Ms. Parisi worked for ARC of Somerset County in New Jersey as a residential manager where she acted as a liaison, advocate and coordinator for individuals with developmental disabilities. Ms. Parisi also worked in a physical therapy office in connection with client billing, insurance submission and related tasks.
