Robyn Powell Email & Phone Number

Saint Petersburg, Fl, Us

Waltham, Massachusetts

Conduct quantitative and qualitative research regarding the needs and experiences of people with disabilities.

Norman, Oklahoma, United States

St Petersburg, Florida, United States

Greater Boston Area

Teach disability law course.

Waltham, Ma

Conduct quantitative and qualitative research regarding the needs and experiences of people with disabilities.

Served as Attorney Advisor in the Directorate of Policy/Office of the General Counsel of independent federal agency that advises the President, Congress, federal entities, states, and international entities on policies, programs, practices, and procedures affecting people with disabilities. • Performed legal and policy research and drafted proposed decisions, briefs, opinions, and guidance on issues emerging from analysis to influence Council and other governmental agencies’ policy direction, procedures, and operations. • Prepared responses to specific requests from Members of Congress, Federal agencies, and officials representing public and private organizations on issues affecting people with disabilities.• Monitored legislation, legal trends, and developments in disability law and policy, including special education, bullying, employment, health care, voting, long-term services and supports, and inclusive emergency management. • Represented the Council at meetings with other federal agencies, members of Congress and their staff, non-governmental organizations, and media to address domestic and international disability policy issues. • Presented at conferences, lectures, and workshops on disability law and policy.• Co-authored “Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and Their Children,” a groundbreaking policy report on the parenting rights of people with disabilities which gained national and international attention.• Served as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative – managed projects assigned to contractors, conducted competition for projects, prepared requests for proposals, developed standards and evaluated contractor proposals, and resolved contractor-related problems. • Researched federal administrative law and advised the General Counsel on employment law and policy, procurement law, ethics, FOIA, and the drafting, negotiating, and examining of contracts and other legal documents.

Led the disability rights program at a national non-profit civil-rights organization. • Managed all aspects of program – developed program strategies, objectives, long range goals, and project deadlines, planned and coordinated program activities to achieve goals and objectives, developed program budget and assured that program stayed within budgetary limitations, and supervised staff and interns. • Developed and coordinated research, investigations, and civil rights testing. • Collaborated with outside counsel on all phases of disability discrimination litigation, including intakes and counseling, document drafting, negotiations, and compliance monitoring. • Established relationships and provided linkages between the program, other ERC programs, the community, and outside agencies, and represented the program at outside functions. • Developed and conducted educational workshops and training materials on major federal disability rights laws.• Analyzed proposed regulatory changes and drafted comments.

Managed statewide cross-disability advocacy organization.• Managed all day-to-day operations of organization, including budget management, supervised staff and volunteers, recruited and hired employees, and developed organization’s short and long-term goals in collaboration with the Board of Directors.• Oversaw fundraising and development – diversified funding and secured four new grants.• Led advocacy, coordinated external training and advocacy meetings, and lobbied the executive and legislative branch.• Developed and analyzed legislation and public policy affecting people with disabilities, particularly in the areas of Medicaid, employment, housing, emergency preparedness, voting, and health care, and coordinated legislative and state budget priorities, including analysis, monitoring, fact-sheet development, lobbying, and strategy. • Testified on numerous occasions before state legislature regarding access to health care, employment, emergency management, and long-term supports.• Framed legal challenges, drafted demand letters, conducted legal research, advised the organization and its members, and collaborated with outside counsel. • Planned and implemented public events, including lobby days, rallies, and hearings. • Managed outreach and grew organization’s social media presence – grew membership by 800%.

Provided formal and informal advocacy, legal counsel, community outreach, and when appropriate, full legal representation within administrative hearings, as well as state and federal court proceedings, to low-income clients with disabilities and elderly clients.• Provided legal representation and advice to clients seeking assistance securing or retaining Social Security benefits (SSDI, SSI & SSRI), as well as other health and cash assistance benefits (MassHealth, Food Stamps & EAEDC). • Represented clients defending against such proceedings as Guardianship/Conservatorship, landlord-tenant eviction, and consumer debt collection practices. • Advocated for clients with disabilities and elders seeking reasonable accommodations or modifications in private and public housing. • Engaged in systemic advocacy through legislative initiatives, working collaboratively with state and local agencies, and through large scale litigation as co-counsel on a structured negotiation settlement seeking to increase health care access on behalf of people with disabilities. • Supervised legal interns and volunteers.

Conducted legal research and document drafting for small firm that specializes in probate and estate planning, family law, business law and contracts, employment law, and real estate. Drafted probate and estate planning documents, including wills, special needs trusts, and advanced medical directives. Prepared Articles of Organization and Annual Reports for firm’s corporate clients and assisted non-profit organizations in obtaining 501(c)(3) status. Conducted deed searches. Handled a variety of administrative tasks, including filing, scheduling, and billing.

Conducted legal research for the General Counsel and policy staff on various matters concerning people with disabilities including education, transportation, homeland security, emergency preparedness, international disability rights, employment, vocational rehabilitation, livable communities, and recent judicial interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Drafted memoranda for the President of the United States, members of the United States Congress, and Executive Branch agencies advising on policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. Co-authored The Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on People with Disabilities: A Look Back and Remaining Challenges, which was disseminated to the President, Congress, and other emergency planners. Represented the Council at meetings with other federal agencies, members of Congress and their staff, and non-governmental organizations to address domestic and international disability policy issues.

Conducted legal research and composed memoranda for staff attorneys on numerous issues related to disability law, including discrimination, housing, government benefits, health care, sheltered workshops, and special education. Gained extensive knowledge of significant disability laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act, and Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. Participated in weekly case review meetings and weekly trainings on various disability related issues. Worked collaboratively on disability policy matters with various local and national groups.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Social Policy

Lurie Institute Doctoral Fellow

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Social Policy

Certificate, Nonprofit Management And Leadership

Doctor Of Law (Jd), Law

Activities and Societies: Honors: Dean’s List; Leo J. Wyman Memorial Fund Award; Honorable Mention, Legal Practice Skills Best Brief.

Bs, Social Work

Activities and Societies: Honors: Dean’s List; Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work; Psi Chi National Honor Society.