Melissa Accomando Email & Phone Number

New York, New York

Utilize interdisciplinary approach to protect the educational rights of students and parents during the pendency of criminal or family court proceedings. Work with families to secure transfers to new schools; represent students at Superintendent’s suspension hearings to reduce the length of their suspensions; and ensure clients have access to education while in detention facilities. As a subject-matter expert in special education law, routinely participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with families, request specialized evaluations to ensure students are receiving the appropriate supports and services, and litigate impartial hearings when the DOE has failed to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education. Advocacy ensures that clients remain actively involved in their children’s education when they are placed in the foster system and helps many adolescent clients remain out of detention and achieve their academic goals.

New York, New York, United States

Adjunct professor in the Education Law Clinic. Mentor and supervise a clinic student. Provide opportunities for clinic student to do legal research and writing assignments, develop client representation skills and manage case load of education cases. Co-teach seminar class.

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Address the educational needs of young people in Brooklyn who are involved in the criminal justice or family regulation systems through legal representation and informal advocacy. Advocacy includes ensuring students receive the appropriate special education supports and services; representing students at school suspension and special education due process hearings; and assisting families in navigating the public school system in New York City. Collaborate with attorneys and social workers to support BDS’s family defense, criminal defense and immigration defense clients. As Team Leader, mentor and advise team of staff attorneys on case strategy and client advocacy skills. Supervising mentor attorney for New York Law School Education Law Clinic students since Fall 2020.

Brooklyn, Ny

Garden City, Ny

Co-founded nonprofit in sibling’s memory to raise awareness of Substance Use Disorders. Formed partnerships with VH1 Save the Music Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, Adelphi University School of Social Work, Young People in Recovery, I Am Not Anonymous and UNITE to Face Addiction.

New York Law School

Assisted in drafting an amicus curiae brief to be submitted to the Supreme Court analyzing the use of disparate impact in the context of the Fair Housing Act and other anti-discrimination laws. Argued that disparate impact is critical in order to challenge systemic racial discrimination. Drafted blog post discussing the presence of school safety officers in New York City public schools and the effect these officers have on the school-to-prison pipeline.

New York Law School

Provided legal representation to low-income students in New York City public schools who received superintendent suspensions. Conducted interviews with students and parents. Represented students before hearing officers in order to safeguard student’s right to an education and to advocate for student’s right to re-enter the school community. Provided additional advocacy and representation for students with special education needs. Drafted successful appeal to Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education advocating on behalf of a client who was deprived of her right to a fair hearing as guaranteed under federal, state and local law.

New York, Ny

Advised clients with criminal histories on ways to gather evidence of rehabilitation and explained employment discrimination laws in New York. Reviewed and summarized rap sheets. Worked on legal and policy issues affecting the re-entry of formerly incarcerated individuals. Drafted initial version of letter to the editor of the New York Law Journal about the effects of the Rockefeller Drug Law reforms. Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda about client confidentiality issues and organizational standing.

New York, New York

Drafted and reviewed legal research exercises. Worked with students to improve their legal writing and research skills.

New York, New York

Conducted intake meetings with nonprofits seeking pro bono legal assistance, and identified appropriate representation and resources. Drafted and reviewed contracts, resolutions, and agreements. Assisted nonprofits with transactions pertaining to incorporation, tax-exempt status, and annual filings.

New York, New York

Reviewed pleadings, filed documents in State and Federal courts, and translated German language documents. Assisted with case management. Prepared for depositions and hearings.

Loebau, Germany

Taught English in a German middle school. Worked extensively with students who were first generation immigrants and who spoke German as a second language. In addition to assisting students with their English language skills, taught students about American history and culture. As one of 20 teachers in the Diversity Initiative, developed after-school cultural literacy programs. Created multi-cultural library with books and magazines in German, English, Russian, and Turkish.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Activities and Societies: • Justice Action Center • Legal Practice Teaching Assistant • Suspension Representation ClinicJustice Action.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), German, History, And International Studies

Activities and Societies: • Campus Lifeguard • Appalachia Volunteers • 4Boston Volunteer • Phi Alpha Theta, National History Honor Society.