Speakers

This Year, A Fresh Approach to Our Keynotes!

We’re excited to feature two dynamic keynote sessions, each led by a pair of experienced professionals. These collaborative presentations will dive into key topics in Special Education, offering a rich dialogue that blends multiple perspectives. It’s a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights through engaging, dual viewpoints.

Tuesday Keynote Speakers

Jan Tomsky, Partner | F3 Law, Oakland, CA

Jan E. Tomsky is a partner in the firm, serving clients from the Oakland office. A nationally recognized leader in special education law, Jan has represented school district clients in mediations and due process hearings, as well as in special education-related litigation in both state and federal courts and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her expertise in special education matters has helped scores of districts to address issues and resolve disputes in this specialized field. Additionally, Jan has assisted districts in countless student expulsion hearings, particularly those that involve complex or sensitive issues, and has successfully defended districts’ decisions on appeal to county boards and in court.

In addition to student-related advice, Jan regularly assists clients on issues related to cyber misconduct, social media and technology matters. Moreover, Jan is certified as a trainer of trainers in Interest-Based Bargaining, and she advises clients on contract and general labor and employment matters.

Jonathan Read, Attorney at Law | F3 Law, San Diego, CA

Jonathan Read is a partner at F3 Law and a seasoned Special Education attorney with over 25 years of experience advocating for school districts and educational institutions. A sought-after speaker in his field, he co-hosts F3 Law’s widely attended Special Education Symposium and frequently presents at major conferences including the Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law and the LRP National Institute. Jonathan’s deep expertise and engaging style make him a trusted voice and thought leader in special education law. 

Moderated by Vanessa Tucker, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Carlos Chavez, Partner | Pacifica Law Group, LLP, Seattle, WA

Carlos Chavez represents public school districts and other educational entities. His practice focuses on representing school districts in special education matters, including counseling, advice and all phases of dispute resolution. He also assists school districts in navigating their complex and ever-changing obligations under state and federal education law, including issues of student discipline, privacy, due process, equity, and nondiscrimination. Carlos routinely provides in-service trainings for school districts on these issues and has also served as a periodic speaker in the area of school law for the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership and Leadership for Learning programs and for the Seattle University teacher certification programs. Prior to law school, Carlos served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He had the opportunity to serve on two international peacekeeping missions working directly with local communities on military information support campaigns. Outside of the office, Carlos enjoys spending time with his family, including two English Springer Spaniels and nine chickens.

Lara Hruska, JD, MSW/MSEd, Managing Partner | Cedar Law PLLC, Seattle, WA

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.

Speakers

David Richards, J.D., Attorney at Law | Richards Lindsay & Martín, LLP, Austin, TX

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.

Betsey A. Helfrich, Attorney at Law | The Law Office of Betsey Helfrich, LLC, St. Louis, MO

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 at Law | Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C., Salem, OR

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 at Law | A2Z Educational Advocates, Santa Monica, CA

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.

Garrett Williams, Attorney at Law | Stevens Clay, P.S., Spokane, WA

Garrett Williams is a litigator who advises and defends public school districts and other large employers on a broad range of legal issues, including labor and employment, general liability, special education, and insurance and risk pool defense. Garrett’s litigation experience includes defending against actions brought in state and federal courts, administrative hearings, statutory hearings, and arbitrations. Garrett also defends against investigations by administrative agencies, conducts neutral workplace investigations, and advises employers on their internal policies and procedures.

Joel Hungerford, Partner | The Hungerford Law Firm, LLP, Oregon City, OR

Joel Hungerford is a partner at The Hungerford Law Firm, a boutique firm in Oregon that focuses exclusively on education law. Joel specializes in special education, and has represented more school districts in special education litigation over the last decade than any other lawyer in Oregon. Joel also routinely assists districts with internal and external investigations related to, including handling complaints before the Oregon Department of Education and Federal Office of Civil Rights, as well as assisting in internal complaints filed directly with the school district. Joel routinely draws upon his background in alternative dispute resolution to assist school districts to navigate potentially high friction interactions, such as contentious IEP meetings, mediations, and legal negotiations. 

Christopher Schulz, Attorney at Law | Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP, Austin, TX

Christopher Schulz joined Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP, in August 2015. Mr. Schulz’s practice includes the representation of school districts, charter schools and other public and private entities in all areas, including special education matters under the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, the Texas Public Information Act and administrative law matters.  He is licensed in Texas, Oregon, and Washington.

From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Schulz spent three years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas. In that role, he worked in the Open Records Division interpreting the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act and conducting trainings for State of Texas employees. From 2010 to 2013, he worked privately, representing parents and students in due process hearings, mediations, disciplinary hearings, and local grievances. He also represented juveniles involved in the juvenile justice and DFPS systems. In 2013, Mr. Schulz joined an Austin-based law firm, where he defended public schools in due process complaints, Office for Civil Rights complaints, TEA complaints, and appeals to federal court. Mr. Schulz is an experienced public speaker who has presented on various topics, including FERPA, open records laws, the IDEA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.