Attorney Jennifer R. Gavin, PC

I concentrate in the legal representation of young children and teens in matters related to their rights as students. I bring compassion for families, knowledge of successful educational practices, familiarity with the workings of local school districts, and an expertise in the laws and regulations governing the provision of public and private education to every family I serve. Since 1992, my zealous advocacy has resulted in successful outcomes for countless children with special needs. For several years I was the senior staff attorney, focusing on school exclusion and special education matters, and subsequently the Director of the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts, Inc., a nationally respected legal advocacy organization for children and youth. In 1997, I was awarded a Child Welfare Law Fellowship from the Kellogg Foundation and served as a teaching fellow at the University of Michigan Law School. In 1999, I opened my private law practice to serve the interests of Massachusetts' families of children with educational needs. Since then I have represented families from Acton to Amesbury and Boston to Barnstable in matters involving difficulties with their children's public school programs. Cases often include accessing appropriate special education services and/or placements for children with a variety of special needs, seeking compensatory services or reimbursement for parent-provided educational services, as well as matters addressing inappropriate discipline, maltreatment by school staff, bullying and harassment.