Contact
Email / lorraine@education-rights.com
Phone/ (215) 234-1732
LORRAINE HARMER, Esq.
Lorraine practices statewide in Pennsylvania and focuses her practice on student and educator rights with an interest in education and employment law.
Lorraine brings unique perspectives shaped by her experiences as a professional educator and parent to children with exceptionalities. Lorraine’s experiences developed her strong communication skills, empathy, and deep understanding of the importance of advocating for marginalized populations.
For her college education, Lorraine attended Pennsylvania State University (“Penn State”), graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics while earning certification in Secondary Education. Then, Lorraine worked as an Accounting and Credit Analyst with a local steel company, got married, and became a mom of five!
Years later, Lorraine returned to college and obtained a Master of Leadership Development (“MLD”) from Penn State Great Valley. The MLD program taught Lorraine how to foster positive change and develop leadership potential in herself and others, increasing her critical thinking and data analysis skills.
Lorraine developed a rewarding career in academia. Her experiences include tutoring; teaching in alternative, private, public, and community college school settings; redesigning curriculum to ensure both alignment to state standards and the ability to meet the needs of diverse learners; and designing/facilitating professional development workshops to help other educators hone their instructional skills and teaching craft – on a multi-state level.
A lifelong learner, Lorraine attended Saint Joseph’s University, graduating with a M.S. in Special Education while earning certification to teach Special Education. She then worked as a Special Education teacher leading up to her attendance at Regent University School of Law where she earned the degree of Juris Doctor.
Before becoming an attorney at Abdnour Weiker, Lorraine first served as a Legal Intern and then as a Law Clerk for the firm. Lorraine also gained invaluable experience interning and clerking with attorneys in both Pennsylvania and Virginia in various areas of law including employment and labor law, public interest law, and criminal law.
Lorraine’s journey from teaching to law is a reflection of her commitment to advocate for justice and equity, particularly for those who are underserved or underrepresented. Lorraine’s blend of educational expertise and legal insights equips her well for her current work helping to protect the rights of students and educators as an attorney at Abdnour Weiker, LLP.
Outside of work, Lorraine enjoys camping, hiking, bike riding, and spending time with her family.
Education
Pennsylvania State University, B.S. Mathematics
Pennsylvania State University, Master Leadership Development
Saint Joseph’s University, M.S. Special Education, summa cum laude
Regent University School of Law, Juris Doctor, with honors
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 2025
Practice Areas
School Law, Educator Representation, Workplace Investigations
Affiliations
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Education Law Section
Chester County Bar Association
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Trauma Informed Education Coalition (TIEC)
Presentations + Trainings
Presenter, School Choice in Pennsylvania, AW Team (August 2024)
Co-Presenter, Handling Your First Employment Discrimination Case, Jenkins Law Library (August 2023)
Co-Presenter, Creating a Trauma Informed Classroom or School, Trauma Informed Education Coalition (June 2023, November 2021)
Presenter, Question Formulation Technique (QFT), Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) (August 2021)
Presenter, Yes! Get Up and Vote With Your Feet!!!, Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE) (March 2020)
Presenter, Don’t Be Scared… Get in The Hot Seat!, Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE) (March 2020)
Presenter, Effective Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) (October 2019)
Presenter, Question Formulation Technique (QFT), Delaware County Community College (September 2019)
Presenter, Formative Assessment Lessons for the Common Core, Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) (August 2019)
Presenter, Let’s Get Ready for the PSSA!, Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) (August 2019)
Co-Presenter, Training Tips, Krapf School Bus (July 2019)
Presenter, Effective Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (VCTM) (March 2019)
Presenter, Formative Assessment Lessons for the Common Core, Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (VCTM) (March 2019)
Presenter, Effective Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) (August 2018)
Presenter, PBL: Student Choice and Voice, Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics (PCTM) (August 2018)
Presenter, PBL and Special Education – What’s the Connection?, Chester County Intermediate Unit Countywide In-Service (November 2017)
Co-Presenter, Problem-Based Learning vs. Project-Based Learning, Downingtown Education Technology Conference (October 2017)
Presenter, Effective Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Lancaster Lebanon IU13 Education Conference (June 2017)
Presenter, Effective Communication Strategies, Lancaster Lebanon IU13 Education Conference (June 2017)
Presenter, Effective Questioning and Discussion Techniques, Chester County Intermediate Unit Countywide In-Service (November 2016)
Presenter, Effective Instructional Strategies, Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable (August 2016)
Recent Representative Cases*
*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.