Prior to becoming an attorney, Lori Gaines earned her bachelor’s degree in special education and her master’s degree in special education with a concentration in teaching students with learning disabilities. Ms. Gaines started her special education teaching career at the Reece School in New York City, an out-of-district special education school, serving students with social, emotional and academic challenges. She continued her special education teaching career at Springall Academy in San Diego, where she taught students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. During her time there that she frequently advocated for her students’ continued placement in this out-of-district school or for additional or different educational services.
This advocacy drew Ms. Gaines to apply to law school and, in particular, the University of San Diego Law School (USD) that offered classes in Child Advocacy, including Special Education Law. She earned her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from USD and then embarked on her career in Special Education Law. In 2014, after nearly ten years in the field, she joined with Paul Barger to form Barger & Gaines. Over the course of her career, Ms. Gaines has helped countless families secure appropriate special education programming and placements for her students.
Ms. Gaines is the mother of two daughters and two sons.
Education: New York University, Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Columbia University, Teachers College, Master of Arts in Special
Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities
University of San Diego School of Law, Juris Doctor
Bar Admissions: New York
New Jersey