Guilford Law Office Specializes in Special Education and Disability Rights

As I’m sitting across from Attorney Lawrence W. Berliner in his new Guilford office, he recounts the following story: “A while ago, when I was working in Hartford on some litigation, I ran into and old colleague of mine. He had been reading about my work in The Hartford Courant. We chatted for a while and then he says, ‘Berliner, the work you’re doing reminds me of why I went to law school in the first place. It also reminds me of the fact that I’m not doing that kind of work anymore.’ And that really stuck with me.”  

In a society where we tend to prioritize financial gain in our careers, it was refreshing to hear from an Attorney who prioritized his passion. Berliner, who has been practicing law for almost 30 years, recently opened a satellite office in Guilford on Long Hill Road. He specializes in Special Education and Disability Rights, and area he has been drawn to since his first years in the profession.

“My journey to this kind of work has been a process of evolution,” Berliner explains. “I’ve always been drawn to this kind of law, but I think when I was working for a State Agency, I really found my niche with this field and I’ve really just grown from there.” Berliner worked in private practice at the special education law firm Klebanoff and Alfano P.C. of West Hartford and Fairfield for eleven years and a partner for three years before establishing his own law practice a little over a year ago.

Currently, Berliner’s main office is in Westport, and in July, he opened his Guilford office. “I’ve had a wonderful reception in Guilford,” Berliner says. “Guilford is a very accepting community I’ve found. Perhaps that is due partially to the presence of SARAH Inc. in town, along with other services, agencies and organizations. From Guilford Youth and Family Services, to the Women and Family Life Center, Guilford offers a wealth of resources for residents with needs.”

Over the years, Berliner has truly seen the evolution of Disability rights in our country, from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1992 to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Berliner has found that the legalities and ramifications of certain laws and practices can be difficult for a parent to navigate. “Not every parent knows their child’s latest test results, or what they’re records state, or their current rights under certain laws or Acts,” says Berliner. “When they come to me they’re hurting and their child is hurting. The first thing I do is listen to their needs and concerns. Next I have to address them.”

Because these acts and laws are in constant flux, Berliner is proactive about keeping parents informed. This has driven him to participate in workshops that are free to the general public and break down these issues.  His next one will be held next week on Tuesday evening, October 30^th, at 7 PM, and is entitled “Finding Your Voice as a Parent: How to better manage your child’s Special Education Advocacy.” The hands-on workshop will include a discussion and Q&A time with Berliner, and Dr. Shelley Pelletier, Neuropsychologist and School Psychologist. The main focus of the workshop will be to “help parents of special needs children navigate the special education maze and articulate their concerns.” The workshop is presented by Kidsteps, a Division of SARAH, Inc., Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven on the Shoreline, and in conjunction with the Guilford PTA- Special Education Committee.

“These workshops are incredibly beneficial for parents because we try and demystify some of these more complicated law processes,” says Berliner. “We want to take all of this information about regulations and law and synthesize it to show parents how it will apply to their child. There is overwhelming wealth of material out there, and we want to boil it down so it’s relevant, usable and simple. Too much can get lost in translation and its my job to make sure it doesn’t.”

“These children have the right to a free and appropriate public education, and their parents are the best advocates for them,” Berliner continues. “And at the end of the day this is not about us, it’s about our kids; our most valuable natural resource is preparing the next generation. We need to prepare these students with disabilities for further education, social interactions, their careers and ultimately leading fulfilling and independent lives. That is the true prize, and we need to keep our eyes on it.”

If anyone has questions for Attorney Berliner, he can be reached by email at lwb.esq@gmail.com.