Meet Maria McGinley

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