Fighting for New York Families.
Special Education Legal Representation Now Available in New York City.
Your child has federally protected rights. So does every family in New York City. The IEP Lawyers, known for uncompromising advocacy that never represents school districts, now serves New York City families through a carefully selected network of of-counsel attorneys who share our values and our standard of care.
Schedule a Free Consultation
New York City Families Face the Same Fight.
Every state is required by federal law to provide children with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education FAPE under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. But having the right does not mean your school district will honor it.
New York City families contact us when:
The school refuses to evaluate their child or keeps delaying the process.
The IEP offered is inadequate, too vague, too limited, or designed around what the school wants to provide rather than what the child needs.
Their child is being suspended, removed, or disciplined for behavior that is a manifestation of their disability.
The school is ignoring agreed-upon services, failing to implement the IEP, or substituting less-intensive support without parental consent.
Their child is being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against, and the school is not responding appropriately.
They are preparing for an impartial hearing or have already received an unfavorable outcome and need experienced legal intervention.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you do not have to navigate it alone.
How The IEP Lawyers Serve New York City Families
Our Of-Counsel Network Model
The IEP Lawyers is an Alabama-based special education civil rights firm. We are licensed to practice in Alabama and admitted to appear before federal courts and administrative bodies in matters governed by federal law. To serve New York City families, we partner exclusively with licensed New York attorneys who share our philosophy, our ethical commitments, and our exclusive focus on students and families, never school districts.
These attorneys serve as of-counsel partners. They are independently licensed in New York, fully qualified to appear before New York impartial hearing officers, and directly accountable to you. The IEP Lawyers provide strategic support, a legal framework, and quality oversight throughout your case.
This is not a referral to a stranger. It is a structured partnership with professionals we have vetted and trust.
What We Handle
IEP disputes and inadequate special education services
Evaluation denials and procedural violations under IDEA
Section 504 plans and accommodation failures
Manifestation determination reviews
Impartial due process hearings and appeals
Bullying, harassment, and disability discrimination complaints
Pendency / stay-put rights enforcement
We handle the full range of special education legal disputes from the first difficult IEP meeting to formal due process proceedings. Our goal in every case is the same: secure what your child is legally entitled to receive.
Why New York City Families Choose The IEP Lawyers
We Only Represent Families. Never School Districts.
Our firm has never been on a school district's payroll. We have never represented a principal, a special education director, or a board of education. This is not a coincidence; it is a founding principle. When you hire us, our loyalty is not divided. It belongs entirely to your child.
Special Education Is All We Do.
We are not a general practice firm that handles special education cases on the side. The IEP Lawyers was built from the ground up to handle one thing: protecting the educational and civil rights of students with disabilities. That singular focus means deeper expertise, sharper strategy, and an attorney who has seen every tactic school districts use to avoid their obligations.
Federal Law Applies Everywhere.
IDEA, Section 504, Title II of the ADA, and Title IX are federal statutes that apply to every public school district in the United States, including every district in New York City. The legal framework we apply is the same framework your child's case requires. Our of-counsel network brings New York licensure; we bring the depth of federal civil rights practice.
Led by LeTonya F. Moore, Esq.
LeTonya F. Moore is the Founding Attorney and CEO of The IEP Lawyers. She is admitted to the Alabama State Bar, the United States Supreme Court Bar, and the U.S. Federal District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and the U.S. Federal District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. She is the author of IEPs Made Easy: A Parent’s Guide to Special Education Advocacy, available at Barnes & Noble; she is the creator of the IEP Armor App and was named Top Attorney of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals.
Attorney Moore built The IEP Lawyers with a clear and non-negotiable mission: every family she serves deserves an attorney whose loyalty is unconditional and whose knowledge is deep. That standard extends to every of-counsel partner she brings into the New York network.
NY Of Counsel- IEP Lawyers
Stephanie Montgomery, Esq.
New York Bar Admitted: March 13, 2002 | NY Attorney Registration No. 4028015 | Appellate Division, Second Department
Stephanie O. Montgomery, Esq. is a New York-licensed special education and IEP attorney serving families throughout New York City, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. She serves as Of Counsel to The IEP Lawyers and brings more than 25 years of experience in the New York Bar to every family she represents. She earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, cum laude, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and has maintained continuous active registration with the New York State Unified Court System since her admission in 2002.
Ms. Montgomery's practice encompasses special education advocacy, IEP disputes, impartial due process hearings before the New York City Department of Education, Section 504 matters, manifestation determination reviews, school discipline defense, and the intersection of special education law with family court proceedings. She is also the Founder and CEO of Sestranow International Women's Empowerment Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and children through education, mentorship, and community-based initiatives. When you hire The IEP Lawyers for your New York City matter, Stephanie Montgomery is your attorney, not a referral, not a handoff, but the person in the room fighting for your child.
What to Expect When You Contact Us
Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation. Contact us using the link below to schedule a confidential consultation. There is no cost and no obligation. Tell us what is happening with your child.
Step 2: We Evaluate Your Case. We will review the issues you are facing. We will give you an honest assessment and discuss the options available to you.
Step 3: We Match You with the Right Attorney. If your case proceeds, we will connect you with a vetted representative who is equipped to handle your specific issues. You will know who is handling your case and why.
Step 4: We Fight for Your Child. From IEP meetings to due process hearings, your representative will advocate at every stage. The IEP Lawyers remain engaged at the strategic level throughout.
Your Child's Rights Don't Stop at State Lines.
The IEP Lawyers are ready to fight for your New York family. Schedule your free, confidential consultation today and find out what your child is entitled to under the law.