Founded in 2021 by Kevin Pendergast Esq., Advancement for Orchid Children saw a need in the legal field to do everything it could to keep the light from going out of our special students’ eyes. Each child deserves to feel heard and supported in their educational environment, and too often our students’ voices are drowned out by administrative edicts, lack of due diligence, or simple failure to notice. Our lawyers and advocates, experts in helping families achieve best outcomes for students with LD, social-emotional or behavioral issues, and more, stand ready to help your loved one bloom.
Where did our name come from? Dr. Thomas Boyce coined the term, describing “dandelion children” as those who can grow and flourish in any environment and “orchid children” as those who need some extra attention to unleash their full beauty. Enjoy the recap of Dr. Boyce’s observations below.
It takes a village.
We’re here to help.
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We at Advancement for Orchid Children PLLC know that providing the right education and/or social experiences for your child is a process not to be taken lightly. We’d like to hear about your needs and the scope of your goals.
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Our Team
Founder & Managing Partner
Kevin Pendergast, Esq.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
JD; LAW REVIEW; 2006
SUNY ALBANY
BA; LITERATURE; 1993
Activities & Affiliations
Maplebrook School Foundation - Board Member
Whole Child Academy - Board Member
Littman Krooks, LLP - Former Of Counsel Attorney
NYLAG - Former Staff Attorney
The Kildonan School - Former Headmaster
The Bilgrav School - Former Board Member
Admissions
New York State Bar
Kevin’s Bio:
An acolyte of Diana King and Orton-Gillingham methodology, Kevin went to Case Western Law School in order to advocate for children’s rights. While there, he specialized his studies on IDEA, served as an editor for the Law Review, and conducted research for the Iraqi High Tribunal.
After spending years in international law in New York City; working at Oxford University Press and with lawyers at law schools around the country, federal agencies, and the UN; Kevin came back to his original passion: children’s advocacy.
Kevin has helped both children and schools seek best educational outcomes for years, and he would be honored to serve you.
Partner
Marion Walsh, Esq.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
JD; ARTICLES EDITOR, ANNUAL SURVEY OF AMERICAN LAW; 1989
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
BA; POLITICAL SCIENCE; SUMMA CUM LAUDE; 1986
Activities & Affiliations
Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force Board Member
Littman Krooks, LLP - Former Partner
NAMI - Former Board Member
Ending the Silence Presenter
Admissions
US Supreme Court Admission
New York State Bar
Impartial Hearing Officer, New York State Department of Education
Marion’s Bio:
Marion has worked in education law for over 25 years and has been an advocate for children in many capacities. She has dedicated her legal practice to advocating for the needs of students with complex mental health challenges and her experience is precisely aligned with Orchid’s mission to serve and help students with neurodiverse and emotional complexities receive the educational and therapeutic placements and support needed.
To Marion, the law represents a tool for social justice and change, and she is honored to have assisted hundreds of vulnerable students to locate an appropriate school placement and services. She favors collaborative solutions and has negotiated many complex settlements but is also experienced in handling impartial hearings, state review proceedings and federal appeals. In addition, Marion serves as an Impartial Hearing Officer for children with disabilities and is certified by the New York State Education Department. She is a past Board Member of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Westchester and a current volunteer. She frequently presents on special education and general education law and is a member of the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys and an Executive Board Member of the Lower Hudson Special Education Task Force. Marion received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and is admitted to practice in New York, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
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Victoria Sanjuan has been advocating alongside Advancement for Orchid Children since the beginning. Having completed Seat 2 for COPAA and presented at the COPAA conference, Victoria has won countless favorable outcomes for her clients through her own advocacy firm, Special Education Solutions of the Hudson Valley. Victoria brings breadth and depth to our legal matters, especially students with SEL concerns.
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Helen Roussel brings years of experience in advocacy and legislative work on behalf of students with learning disabilities through her not-for-profit, Literacy Advocates, and as a founding member of Decoding Dyslexia New York. She was appointed to the NYSED Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force and continues to work for policy change through legislative advocacy. Helen is in her final year of the Master of Social Work program at Rutgers University and is completing COPAA SEAT 2 training. She brings her expertise and eye for detail to clients at our firm.
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Catherine Murdoch has had years of experience and training in neurodiversity and education, both in New York City and Connecticut. She has completed Seat 1 with COPAA and brings her compassion and wealth of knowledge, as well as her organizational and writing skills, to our legal clients.
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Daniel Ball is the Executive Function powerhouse of our organization. He brings expertise working with youth in the criminal justice system as well as organizational management experience. He is a steady and supportive youth advocate who keeps all the moving parts of client matters running smoothly.
