Westport Education Lawyers

I earned my J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. from New York University. My career began in New York City, where I practiced in both state and federal courts throughout New York. I am currently licensed to practice law in both New York and Connecticut. I have been recognized as a Best Lawyer for Employment Law in Connecticut and as a Best Lawyer for Education Law in Connecticut. You can reach me directly at (203) 221-3100, or you can email me directly at Jmaya@mayalaw.com. I look forward to assisting you with your legal...

Ashling Soares is a graduate of the University of Miami School of law, cum laude, and is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York, and Florida state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Ashling earned her B.A. in Sociology from Boston College, where she interned at a private criminal defense law firm. During law school, Ashling worked in the University of Miami’s Children and Youth Law
Clinic, where she represented current and former foster care youth in dependence, health care, mental health, disability, independent living, education, immigration and other general civil legal...

Susan M. Maya graduated Magna Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law where she attended as a Dean’s Scholar. While at Quinnipiac she received seven outstanding academic achievement awards. Ms. Maya was an academic invitee on the Quinnipiac Law Review where she held the position of Associate Editor. Ms. Maya graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Ms. Maya practices in the areas of Trusts and Estates, Special Education Law, and Executive Compensation Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut. She lives with her family in Westport, CT.

Mr. Murphy is a graduate of both Fordham University (Fordham College at Rose Hill, Bronx, NY) and Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the Fordham Urban Law Journal and recipient of the Archibald R. Murray Public Service Award. After working with the legal division of the New York City Council Finance Division and the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, he joined a boutique litigation firm in downtown Manhattan. For the better part of a decade, Mr. Murphy’s legal and advocacy skills were honed and tested, while handling cases ranging from felony criminal defense...

Attorney, Author, Professor, Disability Activist, Educational Surrogate. Law practice focused on students with disabilities who have been denied an appropriate education. Experience in IEP meetings, 504 meetings, mediation, due process, and manifestation determinations. Some of my practice is spent advocating for LGBTQ students as well as adults with disabilities. Author of Do Not Tweet at an IEP Meeting. Popular local, state-wide, national, and international presenter and trainer on special education legal rights, disability discrimination. Author and facilitator of Mock IEPs, performing throughout The United States. Executive Director and founder of SPED*NET...

Gregory Smith protects the rights of students throughout Connecticut. As a former teacher and supervisor he knows better than anyone what schools can and cannot do. Parents hire Mr. Smith for counsel and guidance. On their behalf he speaks to the district's administrators and attorneys. If necessary he presents the student's case in front of hearing officers. When negotiations fail, or when a district violates the student's rights, Attorney Smith pursues the case into Connecticut's state and federal courts.

Attorney Robert Nicola is President of Owens, Schine & Nicola, P.C. He has been with the firm since 1968. Attorney Nicola concentrates his practice in the areas of Personal Injury, Residential Real Estate and Educational Law.

Attorney Nicola attended Franklin & Marshall College, where he graduated with a B.A. in History with Honors in 1964. Thereafter, Attorney Nicola attended the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he graduated in 1967.

Upon discharge from his active military service, Attorney Nicola joined the firm and has spent his entire career here. Attorney Nicola has been and continues to be active in community matters....

Jill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pace University School of Law in 1992, where she was an editor of the Law Review, after earning a BA in English from Lehigh University. She has been admitted to practice in both New York and Connecticut since 1993. Jill originally worked as an insurance coverage attorney, focusing on environmental and products liability cases.

After taking several years off to raise her children, Jill discovered the world of special education law when her oldest child was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2002. Since that time, she has advocated for her...

With over 30 years experience, Attorney Wing has tried cases to verdict before administrative, court and jury panels in Connecticut’s state and federal courts. He has been admitted in other states Pro Hac Vice and been involved in matters in Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

His experience includes advocating for clients at trials in civil and criminal courts and before administrative tribunals, arbitration panels and appellate courts. Attorney Wing has served as Guardian Ad Litem for minor children in Family Court proceedings and as a Family Special Master. Attorney Wing serves as a mediator in family and other disputes and...