Melrose Education Lawyers

With a progressive law practice since 2007, Mr. Ali Shahrestani is a bi-coastal litigation attorney representing international and domestic clients in state and federal legal matters in CA, NY, and MA. He has been featured in print and TV news for his legal expertise, is a recipient of multiple awards and a graduate of top rated universities with honors, and has donated much effort and time to public education, legal journalism, and social justice activism. 1) Education Law - K-12, College, Graduate, Students, Teachers, Schools 2) Divorce & Child Custody - High Conflict, LGBTQ, Father's Rights 3) Business, Contracts, & Real Estate Law...

Norman Zalkind has tried over 120 jury trials, including many high-profile cases. Norman focuses his practice on criminal defense, including murder cases, white-collar criminal defense, and other serious felony cases in federal and state courts across the Commonwealth. Norman is on the forefront in representing students accused of sexual assault and other disciplinary misconduct on college campuses across the nation. His civil practice includes business litigation.

Norman is recognized by Boston Magazine as a “Super Lawyer”, maintains the highest possible rating by Martindale Hubbell, and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for both white collar and non-white collar criminal defense,...

Partner Naomi Shatz focuses on students' rights, university discipline, and employee rights. She represents students at all levels of education from elementary school through graduate school, as well as teachers and professors involved in discrimination cases and disciplinary proceedings regarding claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and academic misconduct. Naomi also advises and represents individuals in employment matters and criminal cases.

Naomi has been selected to the Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers each year since 2016. In 2018, Naomi was named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Massachusetts Law Weekly.

Prior to joining Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP, Naomi was a...

I am of counsel to Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP, where previously I was a partner for over 30 years. My practice concentrates on Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime, and College and University Disciplinary matters. I have decades of experience defending clients in both federal and state courts. Providing a clear presentation and in-depth knowledge of legal issues has resulted in positive outcomes for dozens of my clients. My practice includes nationwide representation for students and faculty facing all types of charges. I am committed to zealous advocacy to protect my clients' rights and interests in every case. I received my...

Inga Bernstein is a distinguished Criminal Defense and Employment Law Attorney at Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP. For over two decades, she has provided comprehensive representation for an array of criminal and civil matters. Inga is dedicated to providing a smart and effective defense for clients facing criminal charges. In civil matters, her representation includes meticulous research and forceful arguments in pursuit of the best possible outcomes. Inga's experienced and passionate advocacy has led to many outstanding results.

Inga has received numerous awards. Best Lawyers named her Lawyer of the Year for Boston Employment Law-Individuals in 2015 and 2018. She...

Qin "Felix" Zhou is a dedicated Associate Attorney at Mullane, Michel & McInnes, LLP in Cambridge, MA, specializing in Educational Law, Family Law, Transactional Law and Civil Litigation. He advises and represents students from high school through college and university in all aspects of school disciplinary procedures including initial statements, investigatory hearings, decision hearings and appeals. He represents Massachusetts car dealerships in civil disputes, argues in District and Superior Court, and advocates for indigent clients before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. His adeptness in school administrative proceedings, agency hearings, civil litigations, and settlement negotiations distinguishes him within the legal community. Felix's...

I am an experienced and accomplished attorney, Of Counsel to Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP. I am committed to providing exceptional advocacy for Criminal Defense, Students' Rights, Academic Freedom, and Civil Liberties matters. I have been involved in some of the defining and high profile criminal cases of recent decades. I work assiduously and creatively to protect and defend the interests of my clients.

I have been licensed since 1967 and practice in state, federal, civilian, military, academic and administrative courts throughout the country. My jurisdictions include Massachusetts, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Court of Appeals for...

Ana represents clients in employment, criminal, and civil cases. In 2018, Ana was selected to the Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers. Prior to joining the firm, Ana was a John J. Gibbons Fellow in Public Interest & Constitutional Law at Gibbons PC in New Jersey.

Ana habla español y tendria mucho gusto de servirle a clientes que hablen español.

Mr. Plante is the founder of General Counsel LLC. He was General Counsel at Perkins School for the Blind, where he handled all legal affairs of the organization. He performed legal work including contract, employment, regulatory, education and litigation. He drafted, reviewed and negotiated private and governmental agreements. Mr. Plante advised the Board of Trustees, the President and CEO, the CFO and Senior Management on legal and business issues. He served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Plante supervised and managed all outside counsel. He handled all disputes including litigation, administrative proceedings, settlements and internal investigations. He regularly...

Michael D'Isola is a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University Law School and his entire career has been involved in civil trial practice on behalf of injured persons. Michael concentrates his practice in cases involving automobile injuries, products liability, medical malpractice and premise liability. Michael has represented hundreds of clients in complex personal injury cases throughout Massachusetts in both state and Federal court. Michael's many years of experience in representing seriously injured clients has given him an understanding of his clients special needs and he is committed to making sure each client's needs are met.

Rachel Stroup focuses her litigation practice on employment law and criminal defense. Rachel is a compassionate and tenacious advocate who is dedicated to fighting for her clients.

Rachel listens carefully to each client’s needs, and works with the client to devise a case strategy aimed at meeting those needs. She recognizes that many of her clients want to focus on a strategy that compensates them for the injuries they have suffered without a protracted trial. Rachel’s strong advocacy, thoughtful decision making, and hard work have led to substantial settlements for her clients in cases she litigates. Rachel has successfully represented...

I have represented thousands of clients in my decades as a trial attorney. I am here to zealously advocate for you whatever your legal need might be.

Educational law is a passion for Will. He started out as a teacher right out of college and within 3 years, developed a county-wide leadership program for at-risk youth. He then became a dean of a middle school that served 2400 students. In 1999, he became an administrator of one of the first charter schools in the state of Florida. He went on in his career, to be a principal and school district administrator. He has been part of hundreds of child studies, and thousands of students' educational plans. He has trained teachers, principals and superintendents on compliance with special...

Brian J. McLaughlin Brian J. McLaughlin is a strong, compassionate, and adaptive lawyer and practices in the areas of family law, divorce, real estate, special education law, disability law, and both unemployment and veterans benefits. He uses his experience with mediation and collaborative law to give the best legal advice to his clients. Brian zealously represents his clients, researching all possible legal issues to their fullest extent. Brian is currently undergoing CASA volunteer training, as he will become appointed by the Court to write briefs to help judges determine the best interest of the child. Brian is a part of the Child...

My law practice is dedicated to improving the lives of special needs children and their families. My focus is on two primary areas: Education Law and Special Needs Estate Planning. In the area of Education Law, I represent students and parents to resolve education-related legal disputes as quickly and inexpensively as possible. I have successfully helped clients throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire address a wide variety of school issues, including special education, IEP services and placements, 504 plans, discipline and disciplinary hearings, and bullying. Clients range from pre-Kindergarten through Graduate School. Disabilities of...

Kimberly Winslow is a special education attorney, representing families of students with disabilities seeking to reach their full educational potential. She helps children with a variety of special needs and disabilities who are not making expected progress in school to get the help they need. Kimberly is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.

Over 20 years of legal experience. Her career has included the following areas of law: family law, estate planning, immigration, school disability law, labor and employment law, corporate litigation, bankruptcy litigation, workers’ compensation and collections law. “Special Needs Law Group has had the honor of serving hundreds of families in Massachusetts over the years, and Phyllis’ knowledge, passion and expertise will help us expand our reach so that more families have the support they need.” says the firm’s founder Annette Hines. Ms. Jones brings her strong advocacy skills to the practice along with her representation on a number...

Daniel Perlman has more than a decade of experience helping families who have children with special needs. He previously served as the case law attorney for Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC), one of the first educational advocacy organizations for children in the nation. Since then, he has represented hundreds (and hundreds) of families who have children with special needs from across the Commonwealth. He is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and the University of Massachusetts, where he graduated magna cum laude. Since 2015, Attorney Perlman has been selected for inclusion in the Massachusetts Super Lawyers directory, which recognizes...

Following twenty years in private practice and as a prosecutor, I opened my own firm in September 2012 to focus on acting as a neutral fact finder for colleges and universities in cases involving student sexual misconduct and employee-student harassment. I also provide advice and counsel on Title IX matters, conduct internal investigations for employers, and provide training in the prevention of employment discrimination and in Title IX. I also maintain a small litigation practice in which I represent plaintiffs and defendants in civil and criminal matters.

I have been an attorney for more than twenty-five years and use my extensive experience practicing law in the following areas.

Probate Matters

I assist families with obtaining guardianships, conservatorships and name changes. I also represent clients in probate administration, negotiating the transfer of real estate, contested will litigation and special needs planning.

Special Education Law

I handle matters relating to special education law including mediation, appearing before the Bureau of Special Education Appeals, and helping to secure educational placements.

Real Estate

I represent buyers and sellers of real estate and assist with purchase and sale agreements and real estate closings.


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Carla C. Leone is an attorney who represents the civil rights of students with special needs in education matters. At her current location in Concord, MA, her emphasis is to be a strong advocate for children, while bringing a constructive, collaborative approach to the table.

Attorney Cynthia E. MacCausland is passionate about the law and committed to providing excellent service to her clients. She believes in honest risk assessment, clear advice, and smart strategies. Cynthia is a Boston based family law and child welfare lawyer. She represents clients in the Probate and Family, Juvenile, and District Court Departments. She is passionate about the law and committed to providing excellent client service. Cynthia enhances access to legal representation to all clients by providing flat fee services through the Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) model. Cynthia’s approach to alternative fee agreements and service models are unique...

Attorney Jennifer Andrade is a dedicated and caring attorney who offers zealous and aggressive representation in court. Her practice is focused on criminal defense, special education law, and all issues of divorce & family law. As a former prosecutor she has tried a significant number of cases before a jury and has handled hundreds of criminal matters. Attorney Andrade maintains two offices for the convenience of her clients. Please call to schedule an appointment today in either our North Andover office or our Cambridge, MA office!