Family Defense

President

Michael A. O'Connor is a 1970 graduate of DePaul University School of Law. He worked in federally funded legal services programs serving low income families from 1970-1990.

In 1990, he founded the Center for Law and Human Services and served as its Executive Director until 1998. While at the Center (since renamed the Center for Economic Progress), he established a Children's SSI Advocacy Project, which secured Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits for over 1,000 Illinois foster children. He developed nationally recognized expertise in the area of tax benefits for lower income families, and he initiated the Tax Counseling Project (TCP), which recruits and trains volunteers to prepare tax returns for lower income families. He participated in the initial design and start up of Mayor Daley's EITC Outreach Program, which has become a national model.

In addition to consulting work, Mr. O'Connor initiated a law practice, representing parents in disputes with local school districts concerning special education services. Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), a national organization of attorneys and advocates who represent parents in special education matters. From 2002 through 2007 he served as a board member, and from 2002-2006 he served as Treasurer of COPAA.

Mr. O'Connor authored, and updated annually through 2007, a guide to tax benefits for parents of children with learning disabilities, which is posted on the Schwab Learning website. He has delivered numerous workshops and seminars at national conferences, including the International Dyslexia Association, COPAA, and the National Foster Parents Association. In July, 2005 he joined Sara Mauk in establishing Mauk & O'Connor, LLP, a law firm devoted to representing low and moderate income families in special education and disability related matters.