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Barger & Gaines

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Barger & Gaines

Barger & Gaines is an education law firm representing children to secure appropriate services.

Attorneys working with families in a wide range of legal matters such as estate planning, employment discrimination, and civil rights complaints, with a special focus on Special Education disputes, and advocacy including claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as in disciplinary matters, arrests, criminal pro

secution of students, bullying claims, guardianship & special needs planning. Barger & Gaines also represents families in Real Estate transactions.

07/24/2026

"𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙩, 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙣𝙤 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙞 𝙂𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙩 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙧 & 𝙂𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨."

The latest 5-star Google review for Partner Lori Gaines, based in the firm’s New Jersey office, ends like that and begins by saying, “I cannot recommend Lori Gaines of Barger & Gaines highly enough. From the very beginning, she has been an incredible advocate for our family and has fought tirelessly to ensure my son receives the education he deserves.” (𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙚𝙭𝙩.)

Attorney Gaines has a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in teaching students with learning disabilities, and has taught students with social, emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges – and that advocacy inspired her to earn a Juris Doctor Cum Laude the University of San Diego Law School and embark on a career in special education law.

Attorney Gaines has been named to the Super Lawyers list for New Jersey each year since 2020 – an honor reserved for just the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.

See her website profile to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/lori-gaines and reach her by phone at 908-242-3635 or by email at [email protected].

The attorneys of Barger & Gaines have extensive experience in education law and in handling a variety of matters, including special education law, bullying, student discipline, discrimination, tenure, guardianship, and special needs planning.

We serve clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us at (914) 902-5918.

06/03/2026

We’re delighted that Barger & Gaines received four 5-star Google reviews in the last day – but more gratified that we were able to make a very meaningful difference for these families by achieving positive outcomes for their children.

“It is never easy to go to a lawyer, especially for your kids, but this is the place to go. They know their stuff, they are forthcoming with information, and, most importantly, they care,” one client said, while another added, “We couldn't be happier to have found the Barger & Gaines firm to help us navigate through a difficult time for our family. We have felt so supported and educated by their incredible legal team - a rare find in a law firm.”

Meanwhile, one of the reviews spotlighted Attorney Rebecca Kirschner for her work in achieving “a wonderful outcome for our child.”

Attorney Kirschner focuses on representing students with disabilities to ensure their legal rights are protected and helping parents navigate the legal complexities of the education system. She provides comprehensive support to families in need, leveraging her expertise to advocate effectively on their behalf.

The attorneys of Barger & Gaines have extensive experience in education law and in handling a variety of matters, including special education law, bullying, student discipline, discrimination, tenure, guardianship, and special needs planning.

We serve clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us at (914) 902-5918.

04/27/2026

Barger & Gaines is proud to announce that Attorney Sierra K. Chandler has joined the firm, further strengthening our commitment to providing premier legal advocacy for students with disabilities and their families across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and beyond.

Sierra joins the firm with a distinguished background in both education law and family litigation. A graduate of Rutgers Law School and a former Marsha Wenk Fellow with the ACLU of New Jersey, Sierra has dedicated her career to protecting the rights of vulnerable students. Her experience is deeply personal, and as the child of an attorney and an educator, she was raised with a profound respect for the intersection of law and the classroom.

“We are thrilled to have Sierra join our practice,” said Partner Lori Gaines. “Her background is truly exceptional – not only does she possess a sophisticated understanding of New Jersey’s special education statutes, but her experience in family law and her clerkship in the Superior Court give her a unique perspective on the challenges our clients face. Sierra is a passionate advocate who understands that for our families, legal work is about more than just paperwork; it’s about securing their child’s future.”

See Sierra's profile page to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/sierra-chandler and contact her by phone at (908) 242-3635 or by email at [email protected].

We serve clients nationwide from offices in New Jersey and Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in Connecticut and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us in New Jersey at (908) 242-3635 or in Westchester at (914) 902-5918.

04/24/2026

The attorneys and staff in Barger & Gaines’ New Jersey office celebrated Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 23, but given the law firm’s role in advocating for students and families in education law and special education law matters, we couldn’t simply let them observe Mom or Dad on the job!

Instead, we had them engage in a mock trial. Four children represented a School District and three represented Parents in an education law matter. They prepared for the trial by taking an hour to learn the facts, the law, and the relevant case law. Then, they gave oral arguments on their client’s position and answered “hot seat” questions about the facts and the law from the panel of Judges – Partner Lori Gaines, ABA-Certified Paralegal Nicole DeLouise, and Attorney Sierra Chandler.

It was close, but ultimately the Parent’s side prevailed – an outcome we appreciate given that the firm focuses on special education law, including Section 504 Accommodation Plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), general education law, guardianship matters, and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) matters.

“We don’t know what we would have done without the kind, compassionate, professional guidance of this team! They are always available and extremely knowledgeable about our local school systems,” a recent 5-star Google review for our New Jersey team said. “They also really dissect what is happening with our child by accurately analyzing tons of data, testing and best advising what to actually ask for to get our child the best level of attention and education that she deserves!”

We serve clients nationwide from offices in New Jersey and Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in Connecticut and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us in New Jersey at (908) 242-3635 or in Westchester at (914) 902-5918.

03/11/2026

The data is undeniable: bullying in American schools has reached crisis levels and is trending in the wrong direction, Barger & Gaines Partner Paul Barger writes in a new essay calling for New York State to adopt legislation that goes beyond symbolic gestures to create real consequences and meaningful change.

The solution, Attorney Barger writes, requires a comprehensive approach that addresses prevention, intervention, and accountability at every level. He goes on to issue a call to action for measures that include:

* Establishing clear, graduated consequences that escalate with repeated offenses.

* Establishing cyberbullying as a distinct offense with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies based on severity.

* Mandating reporting by school districts of all incidents to a state database, with financial penalties for districts showing persistently high rates.

* Establishing measures such as automatic restraining orders between bullies and victims as part of antiretaliation provisions to protect students who come forward.

Read the full essay on the Barger & Gaines website to learn more:

https://www.bargergaines.com/news-blog/the-escalating-crisis-why-new-york-must-strengthen-anti-bullying-laws-with-meaningful-consequences

Barger & Gaines focuses on special education law, helping families navigate legal rights, IEP (Individualized Education Plan) disputes, and student accommodations.

Attorney Barger represents families in a variety of matters involving public schools, and while many of his cases involve securing appropriate services for students with special needs, he also handles bullying cases, residency disputes, disciplinary hearings, and essentially all issues impacting public and private schools.

In addition, he represents students in matters involving colleges, universities and graduate programs – and provides counsel to private schools on a wide range of matters.

The firm serves clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See our website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com or call us at (914) 902-5918.

02/27/2026

Partner Paul Barger will discuss what’s new in special education law at a March 3 professional networking event for the special education and advocacy community at Rye Grill & Bar.

The gathering, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., presents as an opportunity for parents, educators, and consultants to connect with Barger & Gaines to discuss resources for children with diverse learning needs.

It will be hosted by educational consultant Rachel Krisbergh, educational therapist Nicole Taylor, and Dr. Michael Rosenthal, a pediatric neuropsychologist.

With a master’s degree in both Special Education and General Education from New York University, as well as 10 years of experience as a special education teacher in public and private schools in New York City, Rachel Krisbergh understands the obstacles families face when seeking special educational resources and social-emotional support – and she empowers parents with the knowledge and tools they need to make confident decisions about their child’s education. https://www.krisberghconsulting.com/

Nicole Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education and a master’s degree in early, Elementary, and Special Education. She is certified as a special education teacher for students from birth through 6th grade in New York State. After teaching and tutoring for 10 years, Nicole left the classroom to work with students one-on-one as a certified Educational Therapist. Her consultancy is called Taylored Learning. https://www.taylored-learning.com/

Dr. Rosenthal, or “Dr. Mike,” is the founder of Rosenthal and Associates, a pediatric neuropsychology practice based in Rye Brook. His work, a critical component of the special education process, emphasizes understanding a child’s social-emotional and developmental needs alongside their academic challenges to create a road map for success. In addition to his expertise in neuropsychological assessment, his background and training in cognitive-behavioral (CBT), family systems, and psychodynamic/attachment theories enrich his understanding of how and why a child may be struggling and the best ways to intervene. http://www.drmichaelrosenthal.com/

Attorney Barger is the co-founder of Barger & Gaines, which focuses on special education law, helping families navigate legal rights, IEP (Individualized Education Plan) disputes, and student accommodations.

He represents families in a variety of matters involving public schools, and while many of his cases involve securing appropriate services for students with special needs, he also handles bullying cases, residency disputes, disciplinary hearings, and essentially all issues impacting public and private schools.

In addition, he represents students in matters involving colleges, universities and graduate programs – and provides counsel to private schools on a wide range of matters.

Barger & Gaines serves clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See our website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com or call us at (914) 902-5918.

01/28/2026

The latest 5-star Google review for Senior Counsel Giulia Frasca makes a key point in saying she “clearly understands” special education law, but just as notably the review cites important issues for the families that entrust Barger & Gaines with the educational futures of their children.

“She … truly understood me and my son,” the new review says. “During an incredibly stressful time, she removed the burden of feeling like I had to handle everything alone. I felt heard, supported, and confident throughout the entire process.”

That’s the DNA of how we advocate for our clients at Barger & Gaines.

Attorney Frasca focuses her practice on special education law and advocacy, general educational law, estate planning, guardianship, disciplinary matters, Child Protective Service and Association for Children’s Services matters, OPWDD appeals, and involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient treatment matters in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

She has been successful in litigating against school districts for reimbursement for tuition, compensatory services and appropriate programs for students with special needs when the school districts failed to provide one. She has also represented children with special needs in disciplinary and bullying matters, in guardianship matters, and in matters against the Association for Children’s Services in New York City and Child Protective Services in Westchester County.

Reach her by phone at (914) 902-5918, or by email at [email protected]. See her profile page to learn more. https://www.bargergaines.com/giulia-frasca

01/15/2026

We’re gratified that Barger & Gaines is able to make a significant difference for parents who trust our education and special education law team to achieve outcomes that secure “the best level of attention and education” for their children.

Our latest 5-star Google review for a New Jersey case begins by saying, “We don't know what we would have done without the kind, compassionate, professional guidance of this team!”

That team consists of Attorney Alyssa Drazin, her paralegal Nicole DeLouise, and Partner Lori Gaines.

Attorney Drazin focuses her practice on special education law, including Section 504 Accommodation Plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), general education law, guardianship matters, and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) matters. Reach her at 908-242-3635 or by email at [email protected] and see her website profile to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/alyssa-drazin

Nicole is an ABA-Certified Paralegal who worked for law firms dedicated to a variety of practice areas before joining Barger & Gaines, including the world’s largest law firm dedicated to business litigation and arbitration. See her website profile to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/nicole-delouise

Attorney Gaines, who has a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in teaching students with learning disabilities, has been named to the Super Lawyers list for New Jersey each year since 2020 – an honor reserved for just the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state. Reach her by phone at 908-242-3635 or by email at [email protected] and see her website profile to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/lori-gaines

The attorneys of Barger & Gaines have extensive experience in education law and in handling a variety of matters, including special education law, bullying, student discipline, discrimination, tenure, guardianship, and special needs planning.

We serve clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us at (914) 902-5918.

01/08/2026

Partner Lori Gaines, based in the firm’s New Jersey office, earned praise in two new 5-star Google reviews as “the best out there” and “the lawyer you want in your corner” for education and special education law issues.

“She is incredibly strategic, knowledgeable, responsive, and deeply compassionate. She made a stressful situation feel manageable and always advised us thoughtfully on next steps,” one review says in part, while the other adds, “Lori is passionate about her work and always keeps the child's best interest in the forefront all while supporting the parents every step of the way.”

Attorney Gaines has a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in teaching students with learning disabilities, and has taught students with social, emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges – and that advocacy inspired her to earn a Juris Doctor Cum Laude the University of San Diego Law School and embark on a career in special education law.

Attorney Gaines has been named to the Super Lawyers list for New Jersey each year since 2020 – an honor reserved for just the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.

See her website profile to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/lori-gaines and reach her by phone at 908-242-3635 or by email at [email protected].

The attorneys of Barger & Gaines have extensive experience in education law and in handling a variety of matters, including special education law, bullying, student discipline, discrimination, tenure, guardianship, and special needs planning.

We serve clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan. See the Barger & Gaines website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com/ or call us at (914) 902-5918.

12/17/2025

Congratulations to Attorney Alyssa Drazin for a flurry of 5-star Google reviews that thank her for achieving “the best possible outcome” for families that had struggled to secure an appropriate education for their children in a nurturing setting.

“We had an outstanding experience working with our attorney, Alyssa Drazin. … Thanks to her expertise, we achieved an outcome for which we are truly grateful,” one review says, while another adds, “We will forever be indebted to her for her help. Thanks to her, our child is now thriving in his educational setting!”

Attorney Drazin focuses her practice on special education law, including Section 504 Accommodation Plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), general education law, guardianship matters, and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) matters.

She works to protect the rights of students with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities by advocating for tuition reimbursement, compensatory services, and appropriate programs and placements.

Reach Attorney Drazin by phone at 908-242-3635 or by email at [email protected].

Our attorneys have extensive experience in education law and in handling a variety of matters, including special education law, bullying, student discipline, discrimination, tenure, guardianship and special needs planning.

We serve clients nationwide from an office in Irvington, N.Y., (Westchester County) and locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan.
See our website to learn more https://www.bargergaines.com or call us at (914) 902-5918.

Address

1 Bridge Street/Ste 15
Irvington, NY
10533

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19149025918

Website

http://www.BargerGaines.com/

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