Two nationally recognized education attorneys will provide a comprehensive overview of the federal and state laws governing school choice, vouchers and charter schools, and discuss the various arguments for and against, and the impact of school choice on students with disabilities.  The audience will gain a working knowledge of the education system including the US Department of Education, education options, funding sources, and why there is so much controversy. 

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin, Esq., is a 30+ year litigation attorney whose practice is devoted to education and special education matters on behalf of students and their families.  Lori began advocating for special needs students when her own son, now 22 years old, was found eligible for special education when he was in Kindergarten.  Lori regularly attends IEP, MET and MDR meetings, disciplinary hearings, OCR mediations, and practices in OAH.  She also represents families in DDD appeals.  Lori is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in NY, NJ and AZ, and the 9th Circuit, and is AV-rated.  She frequently presents to attorneys, advocates, parents and educators on the topic of in special education law.

Hope N. Kirsch, M.A.(Ed.), Esq., is a founding member of Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, where she partners with her sister, Lori Kirsch-Goodwin.  Hope focuses her practice on education, representing K-12 and higher education students throughout Arizona in a variety of school-related matters, ranging from advocacy to litigation including Special Education Due Process and Section 504.  Hope was a special education teacher and school administrator in New York City for 18 years where she worked with the most challenging populations.  She has both a B.S. and M.A. in special education and a certificate in educational supervision and administration.  Hope was instrumental in the passage of the restraint and seclusion legislation, helping with the drafting and testifying before both the Senate and the House.   She is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in NY, NJ and AZ, and the 9th Circuit, and is AV-rated.  She frequently presents state wide and nationally to attorneys, advocates, parents, mental health professionals and educators, training them in special education law.    

*The State Bar of Arizona  does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement.  This activity may qualify for up to 1.0 hours toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 0 hour(s) of professional responsibility.

Share the fun!  Invite a friend to experience the networking, social and educational opportunities of the Scottsdale Bar Association!  Current members may invite a prospective member to attend an upcoming lunch for free.  Here are the rules:

1.  The guest must be eligible for membership in the Scottsdale Bar Association.  See www.scottsdalebar.org, click on Membership Information, then Membership Categories.

2.  The guest cannot be a former Scottsdale Bar member.

3.  The guest cannot have attended lunchfor free in the past.

4.  The member must attend the luncheon with the guest.

5. The member must register him/herself for the luncheon, then contact Paige Martin at pmartin@clarkhill.comwith the guest’s name and email address, and choice of regular or vegetarian meal, so that she can register the guest.  Member registration and the request for guest registration must be completed before the registration cut-off on the Friday before the luncheon, at noon.

6.  The member can only invite one guest to any luncheon.

7.  The member is responsible for following up with his/her guest after the luncheon to invite the guest to join Scottsdale Bar.

8.  The Board of Directors reserves the right to limit the number of guests attending each luncheon.