Maria Desautelle represents school entities primarily in the area of special education. She is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in litigation, mediation, and investigation. She routinely advises public school districts in matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related state and federal laws. She counsels school entities on all aspects of special education law, including child find obligations, evaluations, eligibility determinations, IEP and 504 plan development, placement decisions, discipline and manifestation determinations, and dispute resolution. Maria regularly represents districts in appellate matters, due process hearings and other administrative proceedings, and further provides guidance on policy development and staff training.
Maria brings a diverse legal background to her practice. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a mediator and complaint investigator with the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education. She also worked as a Deputy Attorney General with the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, where she represented both the Department of Human Services and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. In addition, she served as the legislative liaison for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. She further served as a Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the United States Air Force, New Jersey Air National Guard, 108th Air Refueling Wing.
Maria’s extensive experience, as well as her practical and collaborative approach, allow her to navigate the complex legal requirements of special education law while maintaining a focus on student needs and school district approaches to addressing those needs. She consistently assists school entities in meeting their obligations under all areas of education law by ensuring defensible, compliant outcomes.
Education
- Widener University School of Law (J.D.)
- The Pennsylvania State University (B.S.)
- United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School, Maxwell Air Force Base
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Areas of Practice
Memberships
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association
