the faces behind the firmMichael Mastrangelo & Jonathan Saul
Jon and Mike met as attorneys at the DOE, where they worked on the other side of special education disputes.
What they discovered over time was that they had more in common than their legal work. Both had experience as classroom teachers in New York City public schools and they shared a deep understanding of what was really at stake in these cases.
They eventually left to represent families at separate firms. Jon was already a father by then, and Mike became one not long after. Being dads deepened their commitment to building something that put families first.
Mastrangelo & Saul is the result. Two lawyers who have seen the education system from multiple angles, and who chose to use their experiences to make it a little less hard for the families who are going through it themselves.
-
Growing up with undiagnosed learning disabilities, Jonathan experienced firsthand the struggles of navigating an educational system that often overlooks students with unique needs. His personal challenges in school, combined with a deep desire to make a difference, shaped his passion for advocating for children and families who face similar obstacles.
After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, Jonathan went on to Brooklyn Law School, graduating in the top 10% of his class. He then joined Legal Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering low-income students of color through legal education, where he found his calling in helping students overcome systemic barriers.
Jonathan's career took him through New York City public schools, where he taught legal studies and witnessed a troubling pattern of bright, capable students with undiagnosed learning disabilities being passed from grade to grade without receiving the support they needed. This sparked his commitment to special education law. After gaining experience at the DOE, he transitioned into private practice, where he has dedicated his work to helping families secure tuition reimbursement, compensatory services, and other critical resources for their children.
When he is not in the courtroom or meeting with families, Jonathan continues to draw inspiration from his own experiences and the resilience of the children he represents. His work is more than a career. It is a personal mission to ensure that every child, regardless of their challenges, has the opportunity to thrive.
-
Michael brings a rare and powerful perspective to special education law — one shaped by over twenty-two years of experience in New York City's educational landscape, first as a teacher and then as an attorney.
Michael began his career as a New York City public school teacher, where he developed a firsthand understanding of the classroom realities faced by students with disabilities and the systems meant to serve them. That foundation led him to Brooklyn Law School, after which he was selected as an Equal Justice Works Fellow at the Children's Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, where he represented children to protect their educational rights.
Following his fellowship, Michael joined the New York City Department of Education as an attorney, litigating special education cases on behalf of the DOE. That experience gave him an invaluable window into the DOE's internal processes, policies, and litigation strategies, insight he now uses exclusively on behalf of the families he serves.
Michael then spent over nine years at the Law Office of Neal Rosenberg, representing families across New York City and throughout New York State in tuition funding, related services, IEP advocacy, and student disciplinary matters. During that time, he litigated cases at the impartial hearing level and in federal court, developing deep expertise in IDEA compliance and enforcement.
For the past decade, Michael has served as an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn Law School, where he teaches two courses, including a seminar on Special Education Law. His article, Fighting for Educational Stability in the Face of Family Turmoil, was published in Volume 17 of the CUNY Law Review.
Michael's background as a former teacher, DOE lawyer, and now as a seasoned advocate for families uniquely positions him to build the strongest possible case for the children and families he represents.
Our Guiding Values
01/ Generosity
We are generous with our time, knowledge, and our access. We do not watch the clock on phone calls, we share information freely, and we offer pro bono representation to families who qualify.
02/ Transparency
We will be honest with you about the strengths and weaknesses of your case from the start. You will always know where things stand.
03/ Efficiency
We have built modern systems designed to make this process as smooth as possible. From your first consultation to resolution, we work to get your child what they need without unnecessary delays.