About Us

Lauren started her career in New York City as a special education teacher and development coach. After graduating from Creighton Law school in 2015, Lauren practiced as an Assistant Public Defender in Douglas County focused on juvenile law and criminal defense. Her experience in the education sector and juvenile court has cultivated her passion for working to improve education outcomes and legal access for all children. She became a founding member of Education Rights Counsel in 2017, bringing her vigor and urgency to our mission.

Elizabeth has focused her career on education law for more than 20 years, and has served as the Chair of the National Council of School Attorneys and President of the Nebraska Council of School Attorneys. Her extensive legislative experience has developed her passion for working to improve education laws at the state and federal level. Elizabeth is licensed in Nebraska, Iowa and to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She became a founding member of Education Rights Counsel in 2017, building the expertise of ERC’s alliance of education advocates.

Sarah has her BA in Theatre and Art and her MA in Women’s and Gender Studies. After her time in academia and a short stint in retail and contract work, she began her work as a program coordinator at a legal aid organization in Chicago, IL in 2014. In May 2022, she started as the Office Manager at Education Rights Counsel. She is passionate about gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and equal access to justice.

Jean has spent over 35 years as a special education teacher and administrator, accumulating experience with populations from birth through age 21. Before moving to Nebraska in 2001, she worked in Virginia, California and Department of Defense Schools in Germany. During her time as an educator, she worked to ensure young children and students were provided with high quality programs and services. Her work is rooted in the belief that regular open communication is the foundation to developing partnerships with families which lead to better outcomes for students.

Jean earned her B.A. and M.Ed. in Special Education from Marymount University, Ed.S. in School Administration from SUNY Oswego, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNO.

Committed to sharing her passion for education and learning, Jean also teaches courses in early childhood to prospective educators at the university level.

John worked for 7 years as an Assistant Public Defender in Douglas County representing indigent clients prior to being elected to the Nebraska Legislature. In the Legislature John sits on the Agriculture, General Affairs, and Natural Resources committees as well as represents the Nebraska Legislature on the Midwest Higher Education Compact.

Elizabeth (Liz) has dedicated her legal career to working with kids and families in juvenile court for nearly 10 years as a prosecutor, GAL and defense attorney. Her experience in juvenile court has developed her passion for helping kids and families navigate their educational rights within a district. Liz is licensed in Nebraska.