Shipman & Goodwin Promotes Peter Maher to Partner
Former special education teacher will continue to grow his practice representing clients in all areas of school law
January 12, 2022
Shipman & Goodwin LLP is pleased to announce that Peter J. Maher has been promoted to partner.
Maher represents boards of education and other entities in all areas of school law, with an emphasis on special education issues, labor and employment matters and, more recently, issues related to school operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since joining the firm, Peter has brought tireless dedication and a commitment to excellence to his work at Shipman,” said Managing Partner Leander Dolphin. “His prior work experience as an educator and his extensive experience in education law are tremendous assets to our clients, and we look forward to his continued service.”
Maher advises school leaders and special education administrators on their legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, among other laws and regulations. He regularly represents clients in special education planning and placement team meetings, mediation, administrative proceedings and federal court appeals. Maher also represents boards of education in collective bargaining negotiations and related labor and employment matters and provides broad-ranging counsel on all general school law issues involving the day-to-day operations of a public school district.
“I am honored to continue serving the firm as partner,” said Maher. “I am passionate about serving our clients in all areas of school law, and I look forward to working with them to identify opportunities and pursue solutions to the challenges facing schools today.”
Before obtaining his law degree, Maher served as a lead teacher at Centennial School of Lehigh University, a state-approved private special education day school in Pennsylvania that is nationally recognized for its use of positive behavioral interventions and supports with students with significant emotional/behavioral disorders and autism. Maher is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences on a variety of school law topics and routinely provides professional development training for school personnel. Prior to joining Shipman, Peter served as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas I. Vanaskie of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.