Jose L. Martín, J.D., Attorney at Law | Richards Lindsay & Martín, LLP
Jose Martín is a partner with the school law firm of Richards Lindsay & Martín in Austin, Texas. For over 30 years, his law practice has focused exclusively on matters involving the education of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. He is a graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Texas School of Law. A background in journalism has led Jose to frequent publication in the area of disabilities laws and their impact on public schools and their students. As a litigant, he has tried cases at the due process, district court, and court of appeals levels. He currently serves as contributor to the national LRP web-based publication Special Ed Connection. As a speaker, Mr. Martín presents numerous sessions on disabilities laws to audiences at local, regional, state, online, and national conferences.
David Richards, J.D., Attorney at Law | Richards Lindsay & Martín, LLP
David Richards is a partner in the Austin, Texas school law firm Richards Lindsay & Martín, LLP. The firm’s practice is limited to the defense of school districts and special education cooperatives in matters arising under Section 504 and the IDEA. Mr. Richards is a frequent speaker on disability law issues at school districts and conferences throughout the country.
Lara Hruska, JD, MSW/MSEd, Managing Partner | Cedar Law PLLC
Lara founded Cedar Law based on a holistic approach to school law informed by her unique background in education, social work, and the law. She is licensed to practice law in Washington, Oregon and California. Lara received her JD from the University of Washington School of Law and also holds an MSW in Child and Family Welfare Policy from Columbia University, an MSEd in Special and General Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from U.C. Berkeley. She has experience teaching children from pre-kindergarten through middle school in California, New York, and Louisiana, where she served as the founding special education director for two post-Katrina charter schools in New Orleans.
Prior to forming Cedar Law in 2015, Lara represented traditional school districts around the State of Washington with day-to-day general counsel advice and provided representation in state and federal litigation and administrative proceedings. She served on the board of the Washington Council of School Attorneys from 2013-2014 and the board of the Washington Women Lawyers from 2014-2016, and Chartwell School in Monterey, CA from 2017-2022. She has consistently been recognized as a Rising Star from 2017-2023, and as a Super Lawyer in 2024-2025 by Washington Super Lawyers. Lara currently serves on the board of the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association (MAMAs) of Seattle.
Betsey A. Helfrich, Attorney | The Law Office of Betsey Helfrich, LLC
Betsey, a special education attorney from St. Louis, Missouri, represents public school districts in all areas of special education law. Betsey is a frequent presenter on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the IDEA around Missouri and nationally. Betsey also serves as an impartial hearing officer for Section 504 appeals and has successfully handled appeals before the Court of Appeals and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of Missouri schools.
Elizabeth Polay, Attorney | Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C.
Elizabeth Polay represents school districts, ESDs, community colleges, and private schools throughout Oregon. Prior to joining the Salem-based firm, Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C., Elizabeth practiced with a Portland school law firm and has substantial experience representing parents and students in special education matters. She also has extensive experience in assisting clients with navigating state and federal investigation processes with the Oregon Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI), and the federal Department of Justice. Before becoming an attorney, Elizabeth was a high school math teacher and taught in high-needs districts and alternative settings. Elizabeth has experience in providing school districts advice and representation related to both student and employee issues, including grievances, employee discipline and dismissals, special education disputes, due process hearing requests, and civil litigation.
Mandy Favaloro, Attorney | A2Z Educational Advocates
Mandy Favaloro is an attorney who has practiced exclusively in the area of special education law. Mandy graduated magna cum laude from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in Government, and then attended law school at Pepperdine University, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. While at Pepperdine, Mandy participated in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, where she worked with families involved in the IEP process. After graduation, Mandy joined A2Z Educational Advocates in Los Angeles, California. Since joining A2Z Educational Advocates, Mandy has advocated for parents of students with disabilities at all stages of the process including IEP meetings, mediations, due process hearings and in federal court. Mandy prepared and delivered oral arguments in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case involving a school district’s denial of a student’s access to school, obtaining a favorable opinion from the Ninth Circuit on the precedent setting issue of mootness of an IDEA claim upon the death of a student. Mandy is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She currently serves on the Board of Directors of COPAA, as the Co-Chair of the Conference Committee, and previously taught the Special Education Advocacy Training for five years. Mandy has presented at a number of national conferences and in webinars on a variety of special education legal topics.
More speakers coming soon!