“Strategic, knowledgable, thoughtful and personable.”
Fighting the good fight every day.
Nicholle Mineiro has devoted her practice to securing the rights of students with disabilities. She once sat at the IEP table as a public school educator and a parent, and brings that experience and compassion to her work today. She zealously advocates for children and youth rights in court, and is a trusted guide for families seeking better special education services. Nicholle also serves the community working towards education public policy and legislative reform in Washington state, as well as training attorneys, parents and community members to advocate for the education rights of children and youth.
Nicholle is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court of Western Washington. She has been in practice for 17 years, representing parents, guardians, and students in special education due process cases, civil rights litigation, as well as appeals. Nicholle served as co-counsel in the Ninth Circuit Edmonds School District v. A.T. case regarding the responsibility of school districts to provide an appropriate education in residential treatment placements. She has represented amicus parties in appellate cases involving the constitutional right to an education and transparency into the practices of nonpublic agencies serving children with disabilities.
Prior to founding the firm, Nicholle was a partner at Cassady Law PLLC (formerly Cassady Mineiro PLLC), a long-standing and trusted Seattle special education law firm. She litigated many cases involving youth with complex behavioral and mental health needs, obtaining robust in-school services as well as therapeutic day placements and out-of-state residential treatment center placements.
Community Service
She is a founding board member of Attorneys for Education Rights (AFER) and current President.
Nicholle mentors and trains attorneys at TeamChild, which upholds the rights of involved, or at risk of being involved, in the juvenile justice system to help them secure the education, healthcare, housing and other supports they need to achieve positive outcomes in their lives.
She also served on the education committee for the Washington Autism Alliance.
Nicholle received a Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association in 2016, and made the Washington Supreme Court Pro Bono Publico Honor Roll in 2023, devoting 50 or more pro bono hours representing low-income clients and organizations furthering equal access to justice.
Education
J.D., Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, 2007
M.Ed., Claremont Graduate University, 2002
B.A., Political Science, UCLA, 1998
Seminars
Nicholle frequently provides continuing legal education training for attorneys on education law topics such as working with expert witnesses in litigation, special education evaluations, and progress monitoring for IEPs.
She has also given parent and community training for a variety of organizations, on education law topics such as initial assessments, reevaluations and IEEs; writing effective IEP goals; special education and related services; and due process and state and federal complaints.
Memberships
She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a nationwide advocacy organization for the educational legal rights of youth with disabilities, and the King County Bar Association.
Contact: nicholle@mlp-law.net