Sara E. Mauk

Sara E. Mauk is a founding partner of the Law Offices of Mauk and O’Connor, LLP.  After graduating in 2004 from the College of Law, DePaul University, Ms. Mauk worked at a law firm specializing in special education law.  From 1987-99, Ms. Mauk was a volunteer advocate for approximately 50 foster children concerning special education services, primarily involving the Chicago Public Schools.  In addition, from 1999-2004, Ms. Mauk worked as a legal assistant at the Law Office of Michael A. O’Connor where she assisted in the representation of approximately 200 parents in special education matters including approximately 75 cases involving Due Process Hearings, mediation, IEP meetings, and federal litigation.

While attending DePaul’s College of Law, she participated in the Disability Rights Clinic that focuses primarily on accessibility issues under The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) for four semesters.  In addition to the disability clinic, for two years, Ms. Mauk was research assistant to Professor Mark Weber, author of the Special Education Law and Education Treatise.  While at DePaul, Ms. Mauk was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for the highest grades in Civil Litigation Strategy, Children and the Law Senior Research, and Juvenile Justice courses. 

Ms. Mauk has presented advocacy trainings at the 2002 National Foster Family Treatment Association conference, Illinois International Dyslexia Association Fall conference, Chicago CHADD, Chicago Public Schools, Designs for Change, Child Serve Family Support Services, and Voices for Illinois Children.   Ms. Mauk has served on the boards of the Family Resource Center and the Illinois Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. 

She is currently a member of the Illinois Attorney General’s Advisory Council on Disability Rights Special Education Committee, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Learning Disability Association (LDA) and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA).  

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