Manisha Kavadi is part of Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr’s education group, where she represents public school systems throughout Maryland on education law matters. She advises on the formulation and drafting of school policies, provides employee training, and represents boards of education in conflict resolution and litigation.

Ms. Kavadi has extensive experience in matters involving special education law, handling cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other state and federal disability laws. Having served as lead counsel in more than 150 special education cases, she has an active litigation practice in administrative tribunals and in state and federal courts, counseling school systems through the dispute resolution process, mediation, due process hearings and judicial appeals. She also regularly attends IEP meetings and advises schools on compliance with state and federal law.

Prior to joining Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, Ms. Kavadi worked for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, advising school system employees on general education and employment law. She also has worked for the National Association of State Boards of Education, where she assessed and analyzed bills introduced in the U.S. Congress concerning education, child care, nutrition, crime, welfare, job-training and funding. She also advised National Association of State Boards of Education members on the implications of federal policy on state law.

As an adjunct faculty member at Towson University’s College of Education, Ms. Kavadi taught legal issues in special education to graduate students. She also has served as guest lecturer to graduate students at Goucher College and John Hopkins University-Montgomery College campus. In addition, she has conducted numerous presentations, training seminars and continuing education courses throughout Maryland and for individual clients on legal topics such as special education, §504-related issues, student discipline, confidentiality of records and private-parochial agreements.

Ms. Kavadi is conversant in Hindi, fluent in Marathi, and is a member of Indian-American community organizations, including the South Asian Bar Association.