Attorneys at Law
Representing children and adolescents with autism and
other developmental disabilities
About the Firm
Gary S. Mayerson
Gary Mayerson is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. In early 2000, Gary formed Mayerson & Associates as the very first law practice in the nation dedicated to representing children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities.
Gary is admitted in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and in federal courts including the United States Supreme Court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States District Courts sitting in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Gary has been responsible for many of the leading court decisions that are shaping the way that courts are looking at IDEIA-based entitlements. One of Gary’s cases was the first “autism” case to ever reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gary speaks regularly at national conferences and major universities and has testified before Congress on the subject of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (“IDEIA”) statute. He is the author of How To Compromise With Your School District Without Compromising Your Child—A Field Guide for Getting Effective Services for Children With Special Needs (DRL Books 2004). Gary and his book have been profiled by the NBC Today Show, CNN, and the New York Times, among other media.
Gary also serves as a member of the Board of Autism Speaks, the largest not-for-profit autism organization in the world measured by resources dedicated to autism research, education and treatment. In addition to his board role, Gary serves as the Director of the Autism Speaks Federal Legal Appeals Project (“FLAP”), a pro bono initiative at the federal level.
To Order Gary’s Book “How to Compromise with Your School District without Compromising Your Child” (DRL Books 2004), please click here.
Tracey Spencer Walsh
Tracey Spencer Walsh, our senior counsel, graduated from Manhattanville College and Fordham University School of Law (J.D. 1994). She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tracey’s central role at Mayerson & Associates is to litigate at the administrative and federal levels. Tracey’s litigation experience began at the New York office of Sullivan & Worcester, working directly with the late Hon. Howard C. Buschmann III of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Tracey also serviced international clients at Mendes & Mount, LLP, in various litigation matters and served as a pro bono Special Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. In Westchester County, Tracey litigated for Griffin, Coogan & Veneruso, P.C. and Altimonti Law Offices.
Prior to working at Mayerson & Associates, Tracey was the Dean of Students for a private school in Rye, New York, where she had the opportunity to advocate for students with learning differences. Tracey has family members who have been diagnosed with autism.
Brianne N. Dotts
Brianne Dotts received her law degree from New York Law School. Brianne also has her B.A. in Philosophy (with honors) from Clark University (Worcester, MA). Brianne has been working at Mayerson & Associates since she was a second year law student.
During law school, Brianne was a research member of Lawyers Without Borders. While in law school she also participated in the Domestic Violence Project, an initiative assisting domestic violence victims seeking orders of protection, and the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, assisting low-income families in Harlem. While working at Mayerson & Associates, Brianne also interned at the Children’s Law Center in Queens, assisting the director, Marjorie Steinberg, advocating for children in domestic violence cases and other family matters in the Queens Criminal Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Part. In the summer of 2006, Brianne studied international law and human rights at Ramat Gan, Israel, as part of a joint program between Whittier Law School (Costa Mesa, CA) and Bar-Ilan University (Ramat Gan, Israel).
Prior to law school, Brianne interned in the chambers of Honorable Paul S. Waickowski of the First District Court of Eastern Worcester, Westborough Division. She also was a member of one of the Clark University mock trial teams that won a place at the 2004 and 2005 National Mock Trial Tournaments, sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association, and participated in Clark University’s Academic Spree Day 2005, an annual student and professor showcase with her presentation “Are Rape Laws Discriminatory?” sponsored by Judith W. DeCew, chair of Clark University’s Philosophy Department.
Janna C. Wince
Janna Wince, the firm’s reimbursement specialist, received her law degree from New York Law School. Janna also has her B.F.A. from the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL). She is admitted to practice law in New York State, and has been working at Mayerson & Associates since graduation. Currently, Janna is pursuing her L.L.M. in Taxation at New York Law School.
During law school, Janna participated in Federal Court mediations. With an attorney supervisor, she represented clients settling claims involving age, sex, gender and disability discrimination within the workplace. Janna also worked as a legal intern for the New York City Department of Probation where she assisted in the preparation of witnesses and case files for probation revocation hearings.
Support Staff
Doris Fernandez (Office Manager)
Doris graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts in 2008. Doris worked in administration for Beth Israel Medical Center for nine years, the last six years for a department Chairman. Doris joined Mayerson & Associates in late 2008. Contact Doris directly at admin@mayerslaw.com.
Mauricio J. Bertone, Jr. (Chief Paralegal)
Mauricio graduated from Universidado do Sagrado Coracao (Brazil) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Systems Analysis in 1995, and was Paralegal Certified from New York University in 2002. Mauricio has been working at Mayerson & Associates since 2004 and he provides essential litigation and organizational support. Contact Mauricio directly at mauricio@mayerslaw.com.
Nury Alvarez (Paralegal)
She graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Psychology. She is currently looking into enrolling in Graduate School and hopes to obtain her Master’s in Child Psychology. Contact Nury directly at nury@mayerslaw.com.
Pebbles Quevedo (Paralegal)
Pebbles graduated from Kingsborough Community College in 2000 and obtained two Associate’s Degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Technology and one from the Art Institute of New York City. She is a former Case Manager from the NYCDOE Impartial Hearing Office. Pebbles’ parents, as you might deduce, are diehard fans of “The Flintstones.” Contact Pebbles directly at pebbles@mayerslaw.com.
Valerie Harris (Financial Administrator)
Valerie Harris holds a Master’s Degree from Florida State University and joined Mayerson & Associates shortly after its inception. Valerie is an adjunct professor at Marymount College and previously worked as a crisis counselor for abused children. She also is the mother of twin boys, one of whom has autism. Contact Valerie directly at valerie@mayerslaw.com.