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Jonathan Seth Corchnoy
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Biography
Jonathan S. Corchnoy
has been practicing law for over 40 years in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and for over 5 years in the Sarasota metropolitan area. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and other states upon Court approval (including Delaware), and is a member of the The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
His primary office is now located in Sarasota, Florida. Prior to coming to Sarasota, he practiced in the Greater Philadelphia region for over 30 years and continues to maintain an office there. He clerked with the United States Department of Justice, Tax division. He is a 1981 graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and Allegheny College, in Meadville, PA. He spent his youth growing up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
He is active in special education,personal injury,and elder law issues. He has had both six and seven figure verdicts. He has successfully litigated special education Due Process hearings, Incapacity hearings, and insurance disputes regarding a variety of issues. He has been involved in appellate litigation before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the U. S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
He is active in helping parents of special needs children receive a free and appropriate public education as well as plan for their future personal and financial independence. He is a past member of the Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the School Law Committee of the New Jersey Bar Association. He currently is a member of the Education Law Committee for the Florida Bar Asociation. He has taught professional continuing education courses for COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates) at its annual conference, Lehigh University's Special Education Law Conference, the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Exceptional Children's Committee, and Lorman Education Services. He has volunteered as an AARP Driver Safety Instructer. He is the father of a gifted child and a special needs child.
Special Education and Personal Injury Law
32 years litigating automobile accident claims.
32 years litigating Personal Injury claims.
32 years litigating premises liability claims.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Education
40%
24 years | 300 cases
Car Accident
20%
45 years | 2,000 cases
Elder Law
15%
24 years | 100 cases
Slip and Fall Accident
15%
45 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-40%
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2024 2023 2022
...
+
10
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 10 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 19 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 44 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1981
No misconduct found
Location
Jonathan S. Corchnoy, Esquire
(941) 217-4824
Fax
1990 Main Street, Suite 750, Sarasota, FL, 34236
corchnoylaw.comLaw Offices of Jonathan Seth Corchnoy
(941) 217-4824
Fax
1515 market Street, Suite 1510, Philadelphia, PA, 19102
corchnoylaw.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Jonathan online.
Jonathan Seth Corchnoy's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
12 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (12)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 12 reviews
Posted by Cathy | October 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Education
Best thing I did for my son
I am very happy I hired Jonathan as my son has adhd and this whole 504 and IEP school thing was really getting me down because the school would have meetings and I felt like my voice was not being heard and all I got was a lot of promises and I was not getting any real help for my son in school , as ...
Posted by anonymous | October 09, 2017 | Education
Mr. Corchnoy 10/9/17
After contacting several lawyers (with no luck) to review a potential case against the school my special needs child attended, Mr. Corchnoy took the time to go over every detail and give me his honest feedback. He is empathetic and overall a real Mensch. Thank you Mr. Corchnoy!
Posted by Mama Bear | April 29, 2014 | Education
Removing my child from an abusive environment.
Jon listened to the details of our case with respect and compassion. He was honest and upfront about his fee. I feel Jon helped my family when we were struggling to be heard by the School. I am so pleased with the results of his efforts on my family's behalf. Hopefully we don't have to go through thi...
Posted by Linda | May 20, 2013
One Good Attorney
Jon Corchnoy is one of the most knowledgable attorneys in the area. He has been my attorney for years and I would trust him with anything.
Posted by Brenda | May 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Education
Long drawn out process
Mr. Corchnoy was helpful and positive. The district we were fighting was just relentless and a royal pain. This seemed like a never ending process and it really took its toll on us. We lost a lot in the end but my son is where I wanted him so he can actually get an education. I believe that Mr. Corch...
Jonathan Seth Corchnoy's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Corchnoy is an excellent advocate for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a client in need. He is also an asset to the Avvo Community, providing invaluable resources to those seeking help."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. This attorney provides sound legal advice throughout the AVVO legal community."
"Attorney Corchnoy always has a thorough and compassionate response to parents and their children. I wholeheartedly endorse this attorney."
"Jonathan is an experienced and skilled attorney. This makes him a good opponent, because he does not raise unnecessary issues for litigation. He is always respectful and prompt in his communications. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Corchnoy's breath of experience speaks for itself. I highly recommend Mr. Corchnoy to any potential clients looking for a proven and battle tested professional."
"I endorse this lawyer. An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."
"Mr. Corchnoy is generous enough to share his legal knowledge on sites like Avvo. Apart from being kind, he is also a passionate, intelligent, and skilled attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Corchnoy is a well respected and effective litigator."
"Mr. Corchnoy is an attorney of the highest integrity. He works hard for his clients and is devoted to his practice. I have confidence in referring clients to Mr. Corchnoy as I know that he provides them with passionate and zealous representation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have become familiar with Jonathan since I have become active on AVVO. I have seen his responses to questions and they are intelligent, insightful, and I can see he has a brilliant legal mind"
"Attorney Jonathan Seth Corchnoy is receiving my endorsement because he has been zealously advocating for his clients for over 30 years. He is a very strong contributor to the Avvo forum and provides answers that are both thorough and knowledgeable."
"I endorse this lawyer. His responses to inquiries on this forum show experience and thought."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Arthur Braitman
Personal injury lawyer
Eric Artrip
Civil rights lawyer
Herbert Ellis
Criminal defense lawyer
Mark Kamleiter
Education lawyer
Experience
Work Experience
2002 - Present
Owner and attorney, Law Offices of Jonathan S. Corchnoy
2008 - 2015
Federal Arbitrator, U.S. District Court (E.D. PA.)
1985 - 2002
Attorney, Law Office of Jerome Taylor
1982 - 2015
Common Pleas Arbitrator, Court Of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1981 - 1985
Attorney, Law Office of the Honorable David Cohen, Councilman-at-large of the City of Philadelphia
1980 - 1981
Law Clerk, United State Department Of Justice Tax Division
1979 - 1980
Law Clerk, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau Of Competition
Associations
2015 - Present
Florida BarMember
2013 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Children's Rights CommitteeMember
2013 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Appellate Advocacy CommitteeMember
2009 - Present
Council of Parent Attorneys and AdvocatesMember
2006 - Present
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
2006 - Present
New Jersey State Bar AssociationMember School Law Committee
2006 - Present
Camden County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
2003 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember of Exceptional Children's Committee
1981 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaMember and Court Arbitrator
1981 - Present
United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of PennsylvaniaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Low Speed Car Accident, Monroe County, PA
$100,000 policy limit + $95,000 (of $100,000) Underinsured Motorist coverage.
Special Needs Private Placement
3 yr. private placement in Residential Treatment Facility (Approx. $500,000 value) plus $30,000 attorney fees
2 year private school, NJ
2 yr. payment (Approx. $95,000) for private school, NJ.
Dog Bite Incident
$130,000.00 Settlement - one of largest for Monroe County, PA.
2 year private school
2 yr. payment (Approx. $80,000) for private school plus counsel fees.
Private School reimbursement, Berks County School District, PA
Verdict in Parents' favor ordering reimbursement (approx. $125,000).
Bad Faith Insurance Denial of Theft Claim
$47,500.00 Settlement, Lancaster County, PA
One year Private School Compensatory Education
1 yr. private school of parent's choice plus attorney fees
Auto accident, Philadelphia, PA
$97,000 settlement with Allstate
Fisher v. Stafford Township BOE, No. 07-1891, 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals
NJ District court opinion affirmed.
4 years private school
4 yr. payment (Approx. $160,000) for private school plus counsel fees
Sectionn 504/ ADA Violation, Monroe County, PA
$62,500 money damages + approx. $10,000 counsel fees
Truck Accident
$150,000.00
Premises Liability
$1,500,000.00 Verdict limited to Intangible losses.
Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
$400,000.00 settlement between USPS and Property Owner
Education
1981
American University, Washington College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
Allegheny College
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Lehigh University's 44th Special Education Law Conference: The Latest Legal Lessons of a Long-Lasting IDEA
FAPE and Mental Health - Where Does a School District's Responsibility Begin and End?
2015
2015 Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) National Conference
Settlement Agreements and Their Enforcement
2012
Exceptional Children's Conference 2012
Motions Pleading in Federal Court
2012
Backpacks to Book Bags
Special Education Law
2006
Section 504 vs. the IDEA in Pennsylvania
Section 504
2005
Impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on Special Education in Pennsylvania
The Effect Of “Persistent Dangerous Schools” Under NCLB On Section 1983 Claims For Damages And Denial Of FAPE Claims Under IDEIA
Publications
2005
Lorman Education Services publication
The Effect Of “Persistent Dangerous Schools” Under NCLB On Section 1983 Claims For Damages And Denial Of FAPE Claims Under IDEIA
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Jonathan earned significant contribution points in 2024.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Am I right to feel like my child's school counselor has overstepped their boundaries?
08 Jan 2026
Q&A
Can I get sued if my son (16 yeasr old) hit an e-bike rider on the street?
11 Dec 2025
Q&A
I was rear ended by a driver who looked intoxicated, any guidance on dealing with insurance?
02 Dec 2025