Marion M. Walsh

 I have worked in education law for almost 20 years and have been an advocate for children in many capacities.  

As team leader of our special education department, I ensure that each family and student receives individual attention and that our team develops a well-considered plan to help the child, teen or young adult receive an appropriate education. I ensure a customized approach as each case often requires a unique and evolving strategy.

We never give up on finding the right out placement for a student.  We envision and implement a strategy that will put the child’s education back on track. 

I prioritize a collaborative approach with school districts.  Yet, if school districts do not compromise, I will work tenaciously through litigation to achieve the client’s aims– whether increased services in public school or tuition reimbursement for a needed private placement. To me, the law represents a tool for social justice and change and I pride  myself on taking on difficult cases to protect vulnerable youth. I have enjoyed success in many impartial hearings, state review proceedings and federal appeals. Recently, in July 2016, after a successful impartial hearing and appeals, the firm succeeded in obtaining an unprecedented preliminary injunction in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure a vulnerable student could remain in his residential placement, for an additional year, pending a final decision.  As another example, for one client, who is now almost twenty and faced school phobia and severe bullying, the firm has obtained 840 hours of compensatory tutoring so the student can achieve a diploma.I must note that these results do not guarantee similar results. 

I have worked to improve public school districts for all students and have volunteered in public service.  I am a past president of the Hendrick Hudson Board of Education and served on the board as a trustee for nine years. Prior to joining Littman Krooks, I worked as an attorney for a law firm concentrating on education law, where her practice focused on special education compliance and defense.

 I also serve as an impartial hearing officer for children with disabilities and am certified by the New York State Education Department. I frequently present on special education and general education law.  I am certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.   I  received the “Advocate of the Year” Award, from Westchester Jewish Community Services in June 2014.

Prior to practicing in education law, I worked in legal publishing. I have written books and advice for school administrators nationwide on all aspects of education law.  I was a supervising editor for IEP Team Trainer, The Financial No Child Left Behind Compliance Insider and for The No Child Left Behind Compliance Insider.  I have written three books: “What Do I Do When? The Answer Book on the No Child Left Behind Act,” “The Superintendent’s Guide to Special Education Policies and Procedures,” and “Student Discipline & School Safety: Administrator’s Guide to Best Practices, Policies & Procedures.”

 I worked in securities law immediately after graduating from law school. I worked on securities law compliance and litigation at an internationally recognized law firm.

I received my J.D. from New York University School of Law, where I was an Articles Editor for the Annual Survey of American Law and my B.A., summa cum laude, from Long Island University C.W. Post Campus.   I am admitted to practice in New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.   I am a co-chair of the Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force.