Contact
Philadelphia Office: (215) 234-1732
Pittsburgh Office: (412) 903-3700
kathleen@education-rights.com
“I had the privilege of working with Ms. Mahoney as my representative and advisor in a workplace Title IX case where I worked as a full time professor. From the moment we met, it was clear that she embodies integrity and professionalism. Throughout the entire process, she communicated with clarity, honesty, and a level of transparency that made me feel supported during what was a very challenging situation. She also made the overwhelming process so accessible. As someone in academia, I truly appreciated how easy it was to collaborate with her. She balanced professionalism with a personable approach, always making sure I understood each step while addressing my concerns. Her strategic thinking and diligence were evident, especially during the investigation hearing, where her attention to detail and commitment to my case stood out. She noticed every crack in the false narrative and excavated every truth, which in the end prevailed. I couldn’t have asked for better representation or support. If you’re looking for an attorney who combines expertise with empathy, I highly recommend Ms. Mahoney. Thank you for your exceptional work! And treating me like family. ”
KATHLEEN MAHONEY, ESQ.
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 Middle District of PA
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA
U.S. District Court for the Wester 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.
“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!”
Recent Representative Cases*
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Successfully negotiated a student return to in-person learning after the student was suspected of possessing threatening materials.
Successfully negotiated due process settlement with charter to school to cover tuition and partial transportation for client to attend alternative transition program on a college campus.
Successfully negotiated the dismissal of a truancy matter against a 17-year-old high school senior.
Successfully negotiated a settlement with a school district which resulted in the removal of high school senior's suspension from athletics.
Successfully negotiated an agreement in lieu of expulsion for a student accused of making a threatening statement after establishing that the student was not a threat to others; this enabled the student to return to in-person classes and participation in school sports and activities.
Successfully negotiated with a school district for the withdrawal of criminal harassment charges against a student and adjustment of student's school disciplinary record to remove reference to harassment.
Successfully obtained IEP services instead of expulsion for a first grade student with history of aggressive behavior.
Assisted 12 year-old client with developing a safety plan to protect her from bullying at school.
Secured attorneys' fees for client in due process proceeding.
Successfully appealed and achieved athletic eligibility for post-season games for a HS senior who transferred schools due to bullying and harassment.
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.
Successfully negotiated changes to IEP for autistic student needing additional supports.
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Successfully assisted client in obtaining approved leave of absence from academic program instead of dismissal.
Successfully defended a higher ed student in an appeal of their dismissal for academic dishonesty. On appeal, the university converted the dismissal to a two-semester suspension, enabling the student to complete their bachelor's degree.
Assisted a client in obtaining a transfer to another school instead of resigning from her school district so she could reach full retirement.
Successfully negotiated for a graduate student to be placed on academic probation instead of being dismissed from the graduate program.
Assisted a prospective medical school student navigate the complexity of disclosing undergraduate discipline on his medical school applications.
Successfully assisted a nurse practitioner student with substance abuse disorder in obtaining an accommodation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which permitted them to possess personal medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) during nursing clinicals.
Successfully defended graduate student in academic dishonesty proceeding where student was accused of cheating on a final exam.
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 litigated grade appeal for medical student who was erroneously assigned a failing grade for a clinical rotation.
Assisted in resolving a client's college-level disciplinary matter, including removal of the records from the student's education file.
Assisted graduate student in negotiating minimally disruptive sanctions in school discipline matter.
Assisted student with return to graduate school following leave of absence.
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Successfully negotiated a temporary certification suspension for educator caught livestreaming on Tik Tok and promoting her OnlyFans page during special education class time.
Successfully negotiated separation agreement for public school employee which enabled employee to avoid termination and secured removal of disciplinary proceedings from personnel file.
Assisted an educator who was recently diagnosed with early onset dementia - through the process of resigning in anticipation of retirement, ensuring a seamless transition from active employment to retirement with his medical benefits and pension intact.
Provided advice and representation to K-12 administrator in school board investigation.
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Successfully negotiated a settlement of a K-12 sexual harassment case, obtaining a favorable settlement for the client which will provide funds for her education moving forward.
Assisted a Title IX respondent in informally resolving a Title IX complaint against him thereby avoiding a finding of responsibility against him.
Assisted Title IX advisee in successful prosecution of abuser resulting in abuser's permanent removal from their mutual learning cohort.
Helped a Title IX advisee prepare a written response to a Title IX investigation report.
Successfully utilized informal resolution of a Title IX matter, avoiding the need for a formal hearing that would have been traumatic for advisee.
*The results shown are not necessarily indicative of the results that could be expected in any other matter, as the circumstances of each case are unique and involve multiple factors to consider along with possible outcomes.