Advancing
the legal rights
of persons with disabilities
across the South
Four highly capable and experienced
disability rights attorneys
staff the Center:
Maureen O’Connell has twenty years
of legal experience, including eighteen years of P&A work. Since
1982, she has worked with the Louisiana, Maryland and Texas P&A
programs. Maureen has extensive litigation experience in IDEA, ADA,
and Medicaid issues. She is one of the leading P&A attorneys on
Assistive Technology issues, Medicaid waiver programs and state education
agency (SEA) monitoring practices under IDEA.
Maryann Overath is an attorney
working in SDLC's Austin, Texas office. Before joining SDLC, Maryann
worked at Advocacy, Inc. for seven years; while there, she represented
children and adults in the areas of health care, education and de-institutionalization.
Prior to her employment at Advocacy, Inc., Maryann worked with the Texas
Civil Rights Project for two years, litigating civil rights claims under
the U.S. and Texas constitutions, the Americans With Disabilities Act,
Title VII, and Title IX.
Jim Comstock-Galagan has
23 years of legal experience, including 20 years of P&A work. From
1981 - 1989, he worked for the Louisiana P&A program, initially
as a staff attorney and later as Director of Legal Services. Since 1989,
he has served as the Executive Director of the Texas P&A program.
He has extensive litigation experience in IDEA, ADA, Section 504 of
the Rehab Act and Juvenile Justice issues. He also has significant legislative
advocacy experience.
Whit Smith is an attorney
in private practice in Burlington, Vermont. Whit has 24 years of legal
experience and has devoted his legal career to disability rights issues.
He has extensive litigation experience in IDEA, ADA and Mental Health
issues. The Center will contract with Whit on a part-time basis.