Child Rights

David Gardner is a dedicated special education attorney and co-founder of IEP Defenders. As the father of multiple children with special needs, David brings not only deep legal knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and ADA, but a profoundly personal commitment to ensuring every child receives the education they deserve. He has built IEP Defenders into a nationally recognized firm for students and families.

Mike Falater is a seasoned litigator with over a decade of experience and a particular passion for special education advocacy. A bilingual attorney (English and Spanish), Mike has become one of the leading IEP defenders in Nevada and beyond, representing families in due process hearings, mediations, and resolution sessions. He is widely known for his authentic connection to clients and his ability to find restorative solutions.

Justin Fernstrom is an attorney with over 15 years of experience who has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona, led his own firm, and served as an Administrative Law Judge. A Michigan State Law graduate with honors, Justin brings exceptional administrative law expertise to special education hearings, due process proceedings, and child advocacy matters. He holds a B.S. in Psychology, which informs his deep empathy for the families he represents.

Vincent Garrido is an analytical and deeply prepared attorney whose practice covers education law, litigation, and startup legal support. A committed researcher and strategist, Vince brings rigorous legal analysis to IEP disputes and civil rights matters, and is valued for his ability to translate complex legal frameworks into clear action plans for families.

Michael Iosua is an experienced attorney whose practice spans commercial litigation, land use, government relations, administrative law, regulatory law, and estate planning. He brings a strategic, analytical approach to complex matters and has a demonstrated track record of success across public and private sector engagements.

Keith Peck is a renowned ‘legal strategist’ in special education law on appeal and trial-level proceedings. He has worked on well over a thousand matters on behalf of children with disabilities. He co-authored and presented the American Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education instruction on Special Education Law. He regularly appears before the United States District Court and has been lead counsel in approximately 100 United States District Court appeals and a dozen Ninth Circuit Court appeals involving I.D.E.A. and Constitutional issues. Co-counsel in Hawaii’s class action for special education rights and original lead counsel on Hawaii’s Olmstead action, he also participated in establishing a right to damages under Section 504 in the 9th Circuit.

Kathleen Ireland is a dedicated children's rights attorney with experience in special education law, adoption, and family court matters. She brings warmth, precision, and deep legal knowledge to every client engagement, and is particularly skilled at guiding families through complex administrative and court proceedings.

Lolita Brown Fletcher is a skilled advocate whose practice focuses on civil rights, education law, and child welfare. She brings a strong background in representing underserved communities and is a committed voice for children whose rights have been overlooked or violated.

Tamaryn Da Pointe is a compassionate and skilled immigration attorney who serves clients navigating some of the most consequential legal decisions of their lives. Her practice covers student and employment visas, family reunification, asylum, and humanitarian protections, with a multilingual approach that ensures every client is heard.

Dylan Lawter is a litigator who brings tenacity and precision to complex civil disputes. His practice focuses on business litigation, contract enforcement, and adversarial proceedings, and he is known for his thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy on behalf of clients.

Kristen Rothman is a dedicated child rights and special education attorney with more than 13 years of legal experience advocating for children and families. Drawing on her background in juvenile law, dependency matters, adoption, and special education, as well as her personal experience parenting children with special needs, she provides strategic, compassionate representation focused on protecting children’s rights and ensuring access to the services and educational opportunities they deserve.

Maliaca Wong is a New York litigation attorney whose practice focuses on complex civil disputes, including product liability, insurance defense, and general liability matters. Drawing on experience across litigation, immigration, and education law, she provides strategic advocacy, meticulous legal analysis, and practical solutions tailored to her clients’ needs.

Sauda Johnson-McNeal, Esq. serves as Of Counsel to Lex Tecnica, providing strategic guidance and deep experience in education law. With more than 23 years of legal experience, she advises on special education, student rights, discrimination, bullying, and school discipline matters. Licensed in California and New York, Sauda is dedicated to advancing educational equity and helping families navigate complex legal challenges with confidence.

Samuel Gomez is a bilingual paralegal who brings positivity, responsibility, and strategic thinking to the Immigration team. He supports case preparation, client communications, and document management across the full spectrum of immigration matters.

Melissa Gardner is a paralegal and foundational member of the IEP Defenders team. Her consistency, empathy, and attention to detail make her an invaluable support for families navigating IEP disputes and special education proceedings.

Maria Martinez is a meticulous and disciplined paralegal who brings consistency, intellectual depth, and strong organizational skills to the Child Rights team. She manages high-volume case support with precision and is a reliable resource for families throughout the legal process.

Katy Goodwin is a paralegal whose sense of responsibility, relational warmth, and belief in the firm's mission make her a natural fit for the Child Rights division. She supports attorneys with case preparation, file management, and client communications.

Stephanie Wynn is a highly capable paralegal whose intellectual curiosity and command presence make her a strong advocate-support resource for the Child Rights team. She manages complex case files, client communications, and hearing preparation with precision.

Dr. Jeremy Henderson is an educational advocate whose practice focuses on special education law, IEP advocacy, eligibility disputes, and IDEA procedural compliance. With more than a decade of experience in education and specialized training across special education and school psychology, he helps families navigate complex school systems and secure the services, accommodations, and educational opportunities students with disabilities are entitled to receive.

Dr. Alfonso Padron is a special education advocate at Lex Tecnica (IEP Defenders) with over 20 years of experience supporting families of children with disabilities. He assists parents with IEP meetings, mediation, and due process hearings, including cases before the Office of Administrative Hearings. His work focuses on leveling the playing field for families through strategic advocacy, problem-solving, and securing educational services and compensatory supports for students impacted by district failures and the pandemic.

Cynthia Escamilla is a bilingual paralegal who brings inclusivity, positivity, and exceptional organizational skills to the Child Rights team. She plays a key role in connecting Spanish-speaking families to legal support and ensuring seamless case management.

Mindy Rodrigues holds a Master's in Education and an Education Specialist degree, making her one of the most uniquely qualified paralegals in special education law. Her background as an educator gives her unmatched insight into IEP development, school district practices, and the real-world challenges families face.

Lori Bitar is a dedicated paralegal supporting the Child Rights team with diligence and care. Her commitment to client service and her organizational strengths make her a trusted resource for families working through complex legal matters.

Charitie Carpenter is a Special Education Advocate and founder of My Family Connection, focused on supporting families navigating IEP and 504 processes. She helps parents understand their educational rights, prepare for school meetings, and secure appropriate services and supports for their children. With experience in school-based family engagement and a practical, family-centered approach, she empowers families to participate confidently in special education decision-making.

Courtney Burnett, SLPA, B.C.A.S.E., is a special education advocate at Lex Tecnica who supports families navigating disputes with school districts and the IEP process. With over 12 years of experience in special education advocacy and communication support, she helps families review IEPs, identify gaps in services, and develop clear, practical strategies to secure appropriate educational supports for their children. Her work is grounded in collaboration, clarity, and hands-on problem-solving.

Jenna Nicole Scott is a Special Education Advocate and Certified Paralegal at Lex Tecnica who supports families in state complaints, IEP disputes, evaluations, and disability rights matters. With extensive experience in special education advocacy and case development, she assists in reviewing records, identifying key issues, and building effective legal strategies to secure appropriate services and supports for students with disabilities. Her approach combines precision, compassion, and strong procedural knowledge of special education law.

Amanda Gabel, LCSW, is a Special Education Advocate at Lex Tecnica specializing in special education advocacy, IEP and 504 support, parent coaching, and school-based collaboration for neurodiverse children and families. With over a decade of experience across clinical, educational, and community settings, she helps families navigate behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges through practical, systems-based support and multidisciplinary coordination. Her work is grounded in compassion and problem-solving, with a focus on empowering families through clear guidance and informed advocacy in school processes.

Bonnie Klein is a Special Education Paralegal with experience in advocacy, education, mediation, and corporate leadership, supporting attorneys, families, and educational teams in special education matters. She assists with evaluations, IEP development, placement disputes, compensatory education, and dispute resolution, with a focus on analyzing complex educational records and developing practical, resolution-oriented strategies. With a background in advocacy training and mediation through the UNLV Boyd School of Law Saltman Center, she brings a structured, problem-solving approach informed by prior experience in marketing and brand management.

Becca Simmons-Thompson is the owner and lead advocate of 4 Kids Advocacy LLC, specializing in special education advocacy for families navigating IEP and disability-related school matters. With over 25 years of experience as a teacher, behavior specialist, and program specialist, she brings deep knowledge of school systems and special education processes. Her work focuses on IEP development and review, behavior planning, transition services, and securing appropriate supports under IDEA and Section 504, with a strong commitment to full inclusion and individualized student support.

Roberto Santiago-Garcia is a law clerk with a strong background in client communication, legal research, and multilingual support. His positivity and strategic thinking make him a valued member of both the Immigration and Child Rights teams.

Adriane Casolari is a law clerk whose intellectual rigor and responsibility make her a strong research and drafting resource. She supports the Child Rights team with legal research, document preparation, and case support across IEP, adoption, and child welfare matters.