Presentations & Publications

Articles

Why Monitor Early Childhood Milestones? Washington Family magazine, November 2022
Women of Strength: Meet six empowering women leaders who excel in their chosen fields, innovating as they go. Montgomery magazine, October 2022
How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting Washington Family magazine, August 2022
From Bad Speller to Attorney: The importance of focusing on one’s strengths. Washington Family magazine, July 2022
Building Your Team (Part 4) – IEP Transition Servicesuilding-your-team-part-4-iep-transition-services-by-frances-shefter/ January 24, 2022
How to Start the Special Education Process in Montgomery County, MD April 27, 2021
Return to In Person Learning = IEP Meetings March 24, 2021
When to Hire an Education Attorney October 11, 2020
Education Advocate or Attorney: Which Do You Need? February 24, 2020

Acknowledged for footnotes in: Michael I. Swygert & W. Gary Vause, Florida’s First Law School: A History of Stetson University College of Law (Carolina Academic Press 2006).
Recent Developments, 35 Stetson L. Rev. 383, 709, 723 (2006): Guetzloe v. City of Daytona Beach, 9012 So. 2d 415 (Fla. 5th Dist. App. 2005); Phantom of Clearwater, Inc. v. Pinellas County, 894 So. 2d 1011 (Fla. 2d Dist. App. 2005).
Sexual Offenders: Parents Want to Know, V Legally Speaking (newsletter of Pinellas County School Board Attorney’s Office) 1, 3 (No. 4, 2005).

Presentations

Empowering Parents: How to Prepare for a Successful IEP Meeting

Keynote speaker at the xMinds IEP clinic

Presented: “Empowering Parents: How to Prepare for a Successful IEP Meeting”, followed by question and answer sessions. Montgomery Blair High School, November 9, 2024.

Check out the presentation using the link below!

Guest appearance on Women Winning Wednesdays with Attorney Elsa W. Smith

Interview focusing on IEPs, “unofficial suspensions”, and how to advocate for your child. For more information about Attorney Elsa W. Smith and topics she will be discussing on her Women Winning Wednesdays.

World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo

Exhibitor at the World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo hosted by Caring Communities at Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Keynote speaker at the xMinds IEP clinic

Presented: “Empowering Parents: How to Prepare for a Successful IEP Meeting”, followed by question and answer sessions. Montgomery Blair High School, November 9, 2024.

Check out the presentation using the link below!

Guest appearance on Women Winning Wednesdays with Attorney Elsa W. Smith

The Maximum Mom Podcast with Elise Buie Monday, November 29 at 2:00pm

The podcast focused on sharing tips, resources, wins, losses and encouragement for moms who are raising a family while building a law firm, so you feel less alone in your journey toward a fulfilling career and being the best mom you can be.

Florida AHEAD Conference Spring 2022 Friday, February 25, 2022

Presentation at the Florida AHEAD Conference presented by the Florida Association on Higher Education and Disability. The presentation is on the transition from K-12 to post-secondary education. Frances discusses transition IEPs and what communication is appropriate.

Montgomery County Parents of Multiples (MCPOM) Monday, May 23, 2022

A discussion of timelines for all stages of the special education process, from initial requests, to annual meetings, to triennial review meetings. Although the presentation is geared towards Maryland, timelines are federally based, and are the same or shorter in all states. There is also a discussion of delaying Kindergarten in Maryland and the implications. MCPS’ policy conflicts with the actual law.

Inspiring Business Podcast With Mark Bullock and Frances Shefter Monday, June 20, 2022

Inspiring Business, hosted by Mark Bullock, highlights business thought leaders who make a difference in the world through their services, products, or ideas.

Securing Effective IEP Services for Your Child hosted by Decoding Dyslexia DC

Is your child struggling in school? Is the school brushing off your concerns? Do you know that you have legal rights under IDEA? Schools often dismiss parental concerns of potential disabilities and fail to inform parents of their procedural safeguard rights. You do not have to take no for an answer and there are arguments you can make to get the school to listen. The key is knowing your rights and what “buzz” words to use. This presentation will help arm you with this knowledge and empower you to advocate for your child.

Lehigh University Special Education Law Symposium June 21-25, 2021

The first step for ESY services is determining eligibility, but if the child is eligible, the ultimate step is determining the extent and delivery of those services. This session will mine the limited case law addressing this second significant step. The legal issues start with the threshold question: What is the applicable legal standard for appropriateness of ESY? They culminate in its application to various practical situations. For example, is ESY limited to a particular period during the summer when teachers and related service providers are typically available, and to stock services that they typically provide? Indeed, is ESY necessarily limited to the summer period? What is the relationship of ESY to the goals, services, and progress of the child under the preceding year’s IEP?

Best Practices for Using Education Attorneys in Neglect and Delinquency Cases hosted by DC Superior Court – Family court quarterly training for Judges, attorneys and other service providers that practice within the DC Superior Court's Family Law Division

The presentation focused on when it is good to get an educational attorney. The difference between an educational attorney and an educational advocate, including what each does. The responsibilities of an educational attorney, including who is the client. The details of filing a Due Process Complaint, including the stages, potential outcomes and length of time the entire process takes, from preparing for filing of the Complaint to the hearing officer’s decision.