Basics of Special Education Law and Underserved Populations

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Adrienne J. Arkontaky is the Vice President of the Cuddy Law Firm and Managing Attorney of the Westchester and Philadelphia offices. Adrienne’s practice focuses on special education advocacy and litigation, special needs estate planning including special needs trust administration, guardianship, Medicaid, OPWDD and other administrative appeals. Adrienne’s work is devoted to addressing the legal needs of families with loved ones with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has assisted families in obtaining appropriate educational services for their children with special needs. She also assists families to plan for the future by developing special need estate plans that focus on the unique needs of the individual that protect access to government benefit programs. Using a holistic approach to planning, she discusses the potential need for guardianship and/or advance directives and special needs trusts. Adrienne also represents families in Medicaid, OPWDD and other administrative appeals. Adrienne previously served as the Pro Bono Coordinator for a major law firm and a Medicaid Service Coordinator for Family Connection in Westchester NY, an agency providing case management for families of children with disabilities. She founded and was the supervising partner of a special education practice group of a New York based law firm advocating for the rights of students with special education needs throughout New York state including New York City. She dedicates a portion of her practice representing underserved populations including non-English speaking families in due processing hearings. Adrienne received her Juris Doctor degree from Pace University School of Law and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Iona College. Adrienne is the Chairperson of the Special Education Committee and a member of both the Special Needs Planning Committee and the executive committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association, a Past Co-Editor of the Elder Law and Special Needs Law Journal, Co-Chair of the Education Committee and Past Co-Chair of the Lawyering and Parenting Committee for the Westchester Women’s Bar Association. Adrienne is also the Chairperson of the Women in Leadership Committee of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and Cochairperson of the Education Law Committee of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association. Adrienne is also a member of the Disability Rights Committee for the New York State Bar Association. She also serves as state wide chairperson of the New York State Special Education Law Update, a state-wide continuing legal education program and a proud member of the Council of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA) and the National Allies for Parents in Special Education. Finally, Adrienne was recently invited to and is a member of the Westchester District Attorney’s Commission on School Safety. Adrienne was recently honored as an outstanding advocate by the PULSES organization of Orange County for her work on behalf of students with disabilities. In addition, she was named “A Rising Star” in Super Lawyers 2013 and one of the Top Attorneys in the Metro Region for 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2017 and 2018 and a Super Lawyer in 2017 and 2018.

Francesca is a special education attorney at the Cuddy Law Firm’s Valhalla office. Francesca is a graduate of Fairfield University (B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology and minors in educational studies and religious studies). She attended Brooklyn Law School (J.D.) where she was part of the two-year accelerated program and is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society. Francesca’s practice focuses on special education advocacy and litigation representing many underserved populations in special education litigation matters. At Fairfield University, Francesca minored in educational studies where she interned as a student teacher, guidance counselor, and student mentor. Francesca was also an active member of Best Buddies International. While at Brooklyn Law School, she was the Executive Secretary of the Italian American Law Student Association. Francesca is an active member of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), where she held the position of co-chair of the special education law committee for three years. Francesca is also a member of the New York Academy of Trial Lawyers and Columbian Lawyers, Brooklyn Chapter. Francesca has presented on various education law topics at the NYSBA, Brooklyn Bar Association, National Allies for Parents in Special Education (NAPSE), NY Academy of Trial Lawyers, and more. Francesca has also had two articles published in NYSBA’s elder law and special needs planning journal on the individualized education program process and educational evaluations.