Howard M. Klebanoff

 is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was an attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. and served as a State Representative from 1969-1977. He was the House Chairman of the Education Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly and was the first chairman of the Connecticut Board of Higher Education.
The father of two children with disabilities, Attorney Klebanoff is nationally recognized in the fight for special education and the educational rights of students. He helped write key legislation designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities and their families, and is considered one of Connecticut’s most distinguished attorneys in special education law. The University of Connecticut established the Klebanoff Institute of Special Education in recognition of his work on behalf of children with disabilities. He is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions including:

• Lexis/Nexis Martindale-Hubbell Registry of Preeminent Lawyers

• AV Peer Review Rated, Lexis/Nexis Martindale-Hubbell

• Best Lawyers in America

• Super Lawyers of New England

• Named one of Connecticut’s Super Lawyers by Connecticut Magazine

• Named one of New York area’s Super Lawyers by New York Magazine

• Recipient of the Hartford County Bar Association’s President’s Award for Excellence

• Outstanding Public Service Award, Connecticut Association for Retarded Citizens

• The Hall of Fame Award, Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities

• Friend of Education Award, Connecticut Education Association

• Outstanding Legislator, House of Representatives, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Carnegie Foundation

• George Washington University Outstanding Leadership Award

• Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation

• Member of the Hartford County, Connecticut and American Bar Associations and Co-chairperson of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Task Force on Mentoring

He has lectured at numerous conferences, both state and national, has served as adjunct professor at many of the State’s private and public colleges and universities and serves on many boards serving disability groups.

Alyce L. Alfano

, partner, Klebanoff & Alfano, P.C., is a graduate of UCLA School of Law and received her B.A., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania. She began her career practicing law in 1987and joined Attorney Klebanoff in1992. She has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1987. She participates in a number of forums relating to special education law and students’ legal rights. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kingswood-Oxford School, and as a co-Chair of the Hartford County Bar Association’s Education Law School and Bench-Bar Committee. She is a fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation. She has successfully litigated many education law cases at the administrative level and in federal court.

Lawrence Berliner

, partner, is a 1981 graduate of the Quinnipiac University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree. For over 20 years, he had dedicated his career to the representation of children and adults with disabilities, first while he was employed with the State Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and later with this law firm. The Connecticut Law Tribune recognized him in 1992 as one of Connecticut’s Outstanding attorneys for his legal advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. He is the 1997 recipient of Quinnipiac University School of Law’s Alumni of the Year for Public Service Award for his work on behalf of individuals with disabilities and has been an adjunct faculty member. He has served on a State Department of Education Task Force to implement the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.). He has lectured and published articles on special education matters and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Marisa A. Mascolo

, attorney, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and received her B.A., with honors, from Mount Holyoke College. She has been a member of the Connecticut bar since 2006. In law school, she interned for the Center for Children’s Advocacy and clerked with the State Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, advocating for youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities. Prior to law school, she served as a development director for Special Olympics Connecticut where she raised awareness and funds for individuals with disabilities of all ages. Marisa joined the Firm as of February 4th, 2008.

Ann Terezakis

, Educational Consultant, received her MA from the University of Connecticut. After teaching in public schools, colleges and universities, she became a certified special education administrator in both public and private schools in Connecticut. In private practice for over 30 years, she has provided evaluation and consultation services, participated in numerous in-service training sessions, and has given presentations at local, state and national conferences. Previously, she was Director of the Learning Disorders Program at Newington Children’s Hospital, Director of Education in a residential treatment center, and Coordinator of Pupil Services in a local community.

Lynda Blessing

, Legal Assistant, has served as a special education advocate for over 20 years. Formerly, she was in private practice and has also been the coordinator of the Parent Assistance Program for the Connecticut Learning Disabilities Association. In addition, she serves on a number of state boards and special education task forces, and presents at numerous workshops. She is a parent of children with special education needs.

The Klebanoff & Alfano Team represents more than 80 years of combined experience in special education advocacy. We represent clients throughout Connecticut. Our main office is in West Hartford and we have a second office in Fairfield.