Contact

Kathleen Mahoney, Esq.

kathleen@education-rights.com

Philadelphia Ofc: (215) 234-1732

Pittsburgh Ofc: (412) 903-3700

Schedule a Consult: Click HERE

KATHLEEN MAHONEY, ESQ.

-My son transferred schools due to bullying and we needed to file a PIAA waiver appeal. Kathleen was extremely understanding and did a very thorough preparation for the hearing. With her help, we were successful and obtained a waiver. We are grateful for her help! - Former Client

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Kathleen practices statewide in Pennsylvania and focuses her practice on special education law, student rights, educator rights, Title IX matters, and estate planning.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in Johnstown, PA, Kathleen obtained her undergraduate degree from Juniata College in Huntingdon where she was a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Honor Society.  She then obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.  During her time at Temple, Kathleen completed an internship with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and a clinical semester with the Child Advocacy Unit. 

Upon graduation, Kathleen served as a law clerk to former President Judge Susan Devlin Scott of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and an Assistant Public Defender for Lehigh County.  Kathleen also worked in private practice, focusing primarily on civil rights litigation in state and federal courts.  Kathleen has over twenty-five years’ experience conducting jury and bench trials, mediations, and arbitrations.  She has successfully argued numerous appeals before the Pennsylvania state appellate courts and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  She is also a certified arbitrator in Philadelphia and Delaware counties.  Kathleen also devotes a portion of her practice to estate planning, having received a Certificate of Estate Planning from Temple University in 2005.

Kathleen also has ten years’ experience as faculty at Delaware Technical Community College where she taught courses in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice.  In addition to serving as full-time faculty, Kathleen was also appointed as a Title IX investigator, where she investigated claims of sexual harassment and discrimination by students, faculty, and staff.  She was also appointed to and served on the collegewide VAWA/Clery Compliance Committee where she was a member of the policy subcommittee.  In 2023, Kathleen completed a two-year term as President of the Faculty Senate. 

In addition to teaching law, Kathleen has served as a guardian ad litem for the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate and as a volunteer high school mock trial team coach for the First State Military Academy.

In her spare time, Kathleen continues to teach law as an adjunct professor.  She is an avid beach-lover and can often be found on the beach enjoying a good spy novel, or spending time with her beloved partner, Nick, and their adorable but stubborn bulldog, Sophie.

Education

  • Juniata College, B.A. Political Science

  • Temple University School of Law, Juris Doctor, Certificate in Estate Planning

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

  • New Jersey

  • Delaware (Rule 55 Admission)

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA

  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

  • Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Affiliations

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Education Law Section

  • Delaware State Bar Association

  • Kent County Bar Association

  • Former member, American Association for Paralegal Educators

  • Former Board Member, Delaware County Bar Association, former Board Member

  • Guy G. Former Treasurer, Guy G. DeFuria Inn of Court, former Treasurer

Volunteerism

  • Wills for Heroes volunteer attorney

  • Wills for Seniors volunteer attorney

  • High School Mock Trial Coach – Chester High School and First State Military Academy

  • Volunteer Guardian ad litem for State of Delaware Office of the Child Advocate.

Recent Representative Cases

  • Assisted a college student negotiate an informal resolution of her Title IX Complaint, thereby resolving her case without the need for a formal hearing process.

  • Assisted a college student accused of cheating navigate the college's academic misconduct hearing process.

  • Successfully appealed and achieved athletic eligibility for post-season games for a HS senior who transferred schools due to bullying and harassment.

  • Successfully litigated grade appeal for medical student who was erroneously assigned a failing grade for a clinical rotation.

  • Was able to successfully negotiate an informal adjustment for a juvenile facing charges of possession of marijuana on school property with intent to distribute, thereby enabling juvenile to avoid a criminal record.

  • Successfully negotiated with juvenile probation and county prosecutor for client charged with possession of narcotics on school property to be admitted to PA pre-trial diversion program for juveniles.

  • Assisted in resolving a client's college-level disciplinary matter, including removal of the records from the student's education file.

  • Provided advice and representation to K-12 administrator in school board investigation.

  • Assisted graduate student in negotiating minimally disruptive sanctions in school discipline matter.

  • Successfully negotiated changes to IEP for autistic student needing additional supports.

  • Assisted student with return to graduate school following leave of absence.