Special Education Representation for Families

Andrea LeWinter brings 25 years of legal experience to her role as an education attorney, combining a deep commitment to public service with firsthand understanding of the special education process. Before law school, Andrea began her professional journey as a kindergarten and first grade teacher, working in schools in both Los Angeles and New York. During law school, she continued her work with young learners as a Head Start assistant teacher.

Early in her legal career, Andrea focused on foster care law, first representing children, and later the Department of Social Services. In that role, she helped ensure that foster youth had access to education and special education services—including supporting children through the IEP process and securing appropriate school placements.

After moving to Maryland, Andrea’s legal work expanded into other areas, but she remained closely connected to education law through pro bono advocacy and, more personally, as the parent of children with 504 Plans and IEPs. Her lived experience navigating these systems sharpened her belief that every child can learn and thrive with the right support—and that parents are often the best experts on what their children need.

Andrea earned her A.B. from Columbia College at Columbia University, a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government with a focus on education and foster care policy, and a J.D. cum laude from New York University School of Law, where she was a Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholar.

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending time with her spouse, three boys, and two cats, listening to all kinds of music, and solving word puzzles.

Jodi Louer is an education attorney who advocates for students across a wide range of education law matters, with a focus on IEP meetings, 504 accommodation plans, and protecting the educational rights of students with disabilities.

Before joining Joseph & Rabb, Jodi served as a public defender with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD), where she represented juveniles in both delinquency and adult matters. Her work frequently involved supporting children with cognitive, emotional, and social challenges—often in collaboration with psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. In that role, she also represented students at school suspension hearings and drew on educational records, IEPs, and psychological evaluations to build stronger legal defenses.

Jodi’s passion for education law is deeply personal. As a mother of two children who have both received special education services, she has firsthand experience navigating the IEP and Section 504 process. Jodi holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College at Columbia University and earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2004.

Outside of work, Jodi enjoys planning gatherings for friends and family, traveling to new places, and getting lost in a good book.

Rosemary Kitzinger is a seasoned non-attorney special education advocate with years of experience helping families navigate the complexities of the special education system. Before joining Joseph & Rabb, she worked for five years as a Special Education Advocate at Bright Futures LLC.

A graduate of COPAA’s SEAT 2.0 program, Rosemary has completed specialized training in educational advocacy. Her professional development includes COPAA’s “Advocates Representing Parents in Hearings” training, as well as Techniques for Success—an in-depth conference focused on strategies for educating students with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Rosemary’s work is centered on collaborating with families, schools, and service providers to create inclusive, supportive learning environments. She is deeply committed to ensuring that parents feel informed and empowered throughout the process.

Her advocacy journey began with her own daughter, who was diagnosed with autism and is now a thriving college student. That personal experience drives Rosemary’s unwavering dedication to helping other families.

Outside of her professional work, Rosemary is mostly done raising her four children—but still enjoys cheering on her youngest at soccer games.

Stefanie Rosti is often the first voice families hear when they reach out to Joseph & Rabb, and for good reason. As our intake coordinator and SEAT-trained non-attorney special education advocate, Stefanie is a steady, empathetic voice for families navigating special education.

In addition to her intake role, Stefanie also offers education advocacy services to families seeking support with IEPs, 504 Plans, and other special education needs. Her professional journey began as a Student Conservation Association Naturalist in Glacier National Park, where she discovered a love of teaching and connecting with others. That passion led her into more than a decade of hands-on educational roles—including outdoor environmental education in Michigan, curriculum development with the Maryland Science Center’s Education Department, and serving as the Lower School Science Coordinator at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland. Most recently, she worked as a certified preschool teacher. Stefanie holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Geology and Environmental Science from Dickinson College.

Stefanie’s most important education has come from her personal life: advocating for her own child’s special education needs. That experience, filled with challenges, frustration, and learning, confirmed her commitment to help other families navigate the special education system. When she’s not supporting families, Stefanie enjoys being outside, gardening, cooking, reading, painting, writing—and surviving life with two teenagers.