Meet the Keller Law Team
ROBIN P. KELLER, ESQ.
MANAGING PARTNER
Robin has extensive experience in all areas of 504 and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) proceedings. From initiating special education referrals to advocating at school planning and placement meetings and as necessary, advocating in Mediation, Resolution Sessions, Due Process Hearings, or the filing of State, Federal and OCR Complaints. She also has extensive experience representing regular and special education students in school expulsion hearings, residency disputes, and transportation issues. Prior to establishing her education law practice in 2011, Robin was a commercial litigator representing clients in administrative hearings, formal and informal mediations, arbitrations, and at judge and jury trials. Robin holds an M.B.A. in Finance from UHC-Chapel Hill and is a University of Connecticut School of Law graduate.
She has dedicated a significant portion of her practice to assisting parents and guardians of Connecticut's legally underserved and most vulnerable children. For the past three years, Robin has been a peer-selected Super Lawyers in the areas of Schools and Education.
ANDREW KELLER, M.D.,ESQ.
ATTORNEY
FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
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Andy provides a unique ability to advocate for the educational needs of children with medically complex diagnoses. As a licensed Connecticut physician and experienced advocate, his ability to inform fellow advocates, attorneys, and school districts of the student’s needs, is invaluable.
While attending Quinnipiac University School of Law, Andy externed with UCONN Health, Office of The General Counsel, the Office of the Attorney General and the Connecticut State Office of Health Strategy. Andy gained insight into the legislative process for enacting policy changes for the benefit of the citizens of Connecticut. As a “top ten” summa cum laude graduate of Quinnipiac School of Law, Andy also achieved recognition as a member of the editorial board of the Quinnipiac Health Law Journal, the Moot Court Society, the Society of Dispute Resolution, and publication of his substantial note: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: CONNECTICUT INSURANCE INDUSTRY PROFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF HOSPITALS, Quinnipiac Health L.J., Volume 26, Issue 1, 2023.
Andy was awarded his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medician. He completed his internship and residency at Duke University Medical Center and a cardiology fellowship at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas. Andy practiced cardiology for 34 years at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and Danbury Hospital, where he also served as Chief of Cardiovascular Services and Chief Medical Officer.
KATHRYN SCHEINBERG MEYER ESQ.
OF COUNSEL
Kathryn provides Keller Law in-depth understanding of the health-harming legal needs of children. She also provides guidance in systemic efforts to assert and protect the legal rights of all of Connecticut’s children. Kathryn is well-recognized by colleagues,, legislators,, agency officials, and parents as a leading attorney advocate for children with disabilities. Throughout her career, Kathryn has focused on the legal rights of Connecticut's most vulnerable children- including low-income children, immigrant children, children in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, and children with mental health challenges.
Kathryn currently serves as the Director of the Yale Child Study Center Medical-Legal Partnership Project (MLP), through the Center for Children's Advocacy. Through the MLP, Kathryn collaborates with Yale social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists to support clients with health-harming legal needs, primarily those around education, benefits, immigration, housing, or other barriers.
Kathryn sits on several statewide task forces, including the legislatively-appointed Special Education Funding & Services Task Force, the Social-Emotional Learning Collaborative of the Commission on Women & Children, and the Juvenile Justice Policy & Oversight Committee- Suspension & Expulsion Subcommittee
Kathryn has extensive legislative experience from identifying systemic legal issues, to drafting and pitching effective bill proposals, and then to coordinating testifiers and drafting testimony on dozens of bills.
Kathryn is a 2009 graduate of Columbia Law School, She holds a clinical faculty position at Yale University School of Medicine. She has been named one of the Connecticut Law Tribune’s “New Leaders in the Law,” as well as one of the Fairfield County Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.”
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Dr. DANI COHEN, Ed.D
NON-ATTORNEY ADVOCATE &
IEP COMPLIANCE
Dani has over 15 years of special education experience. Dani has gained special education as a special education teacher, as an IEP Compliance administrator in a large public school district and then as Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services for a Connecticut school district. For the last two years, Dani has served as a zealous parent advocate. Dani’s understanding of an individual student’s learning style and her knowledge of IEP compliance provide invaluable support, insight, and advocacy opportunities to parents of children with special learning and behavioral needs. She also has her certification in special education from both NY and CT.
Dani holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College and a Master’s degree in childhood education from Hunter College as well as a Master’s in Special Education from College of Saint Rose. Dani recently completed the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at the University of Bridgeport. Her dissertation focused on childhood trauma and ADHD.
ALISSA OLIVIER-MANN
NON-ATTORNEY ADVOCATE
Through her 14 years in special education, Alissa is well experienced to advocate for the educational rights of childrenAlissa’s special education background includes serving as a SpEd teacher, ABA behavioral interventionist, school level special education coordinator and district special education supervisor. Alissa’s depth of knowledge in learning disabilities, neurodiversity, and individualized learning is an asset in advocating for student's academic, behavioral and social-emotional needs.
Alissa received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology at CUNY Lehman College with a minor in early childhood education, a dual Master’s degree in Childhood Education and Special Education from the College of New Rochelle, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Mercy University. Alissa also has an Advanced Certificate in Literacy B-6 from Long Island University. Alissa is certified in New York and Connecticut in general education, special education, and school administration.
DAVID HEUVELMAN
LEGAL INTERN
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL THIRD YEAR
David is well-versed in special education and the importance of collaboration with school districts. He has been a member of the Keller Law Team for the past two years. focusing on multiple legal issues through research and supporting the attorneys and advocates. As a third-year law student at the Quinnipiac University School of Law, David focuses on education and family law and is working on a concentration in Alternative Dispute Resolution. David has served the Norwalk Community, having worked with various special education parent groups serving two terms on the Norwalk Common Council. David is committed to establishing equity and finding solutions that work for all children. He has a BA from Carroll University and an MFA from the University of Alabama. He is excited to be working towards a new career and expanding his abilities with Keller Law.
DARCY HEMPSTEAD
BI-LINGUAL LEGAL ADMINISTRATOR
INTERPRETOR AND TRANSLATOR
As a member of the Keller Law team, Darcy ensures our LatinX parents’ concerns for their child’s education are understood and represented by Keller Law. In addition to her ability to fluently translate documents and interpret for parents, Darcy, though her experience of advocating for her own brother at PPT meetings, understands the need for all parents to understand the PPT process.
A native of Nicaragua, Darcy came to the United States when she was ten years old. Darcy lives in Norwalk with her husband and son. Her interests include spending time with her family, quiet meditative walks in the woods, and living the American dream.
