Jane M. Brown has led University Legal Services (ULS) as its Executive Director since July 1993. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from a staff of nine supporting two programs to more than forty attorneys, housing counselors, social workers, advocates and other professionals supporting 14 programs. Under Jane’s leadership, ULS began to expand its housing counseling program, and also became the designated Protection and Advocacy agency for the District of Columbia, as designated by the Mayor.

Before becoming Executive Director, Jane was a Supervising Attorney at ULS overseeing the housing counseling staff and representing tenants in Landlord and Tenant Court. She went on to represent tenants seeking homeownership through the tenant purchase process which provided tenants the opportunity to own their apartment buildings and convert them to cooperatives. She provided legal counsel in all phases of purchase, renovation of properties, and project financing.

Jane is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and Wellesley College. While in college, she studied abroad at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Jane is a member of the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania bars, and serves on the Boards of the H Street Community Development Corporation, Advocates for Justice and Education, and the National Disability Rights Network.

Yeshima Cephus joined Disability Rights DC (DRDC) as an Advocate in March 2023. Under the PAIMI, TBI, and PADD programs, she advocates for community-based services and person-centered discharge and treatment plans for adults with mental illness, traumatic brain injury, and/or developmental disabilities. Yeshima also monitors conditions in residential and institutional settings and conducts outreach and education to people with disabilities, community groups, advocates and other stakeholders regarding individual rights, services available to people with disabilities, and DRDC’s programs and services.

Prior to joining DRDC, Yeshima worked as a Health Home Transition Specialist at Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc. in New York City. In this role, she facilitated successful transitions of individuals with mental health disabilities from institutions back into the community. Yeshima received a Master’s degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University with a specialization in Integrated Health and Clinical Social Work. While in social work school, Yeshima participated in internships driven by her interests in addressing the needs of underserved populations.

Mary Nell McGarity Clark joined DRDC in 2003 as a managing attorney after working at the U.S. Department of Justice for almost ten years handling large class action lawsuits. While at DRDC, she has been lead counsel for several large cases, including litigation against St. Elizabeths Hospital and a large behavioral health provider. In addition to overseeing investigations and writing numerous investigation reports, as a former teacher and the parent of children with special needs, Mary Nell has a particular interest in special education law and inclusion. She earned her JD at the University of Texas School of Law where she was a member of the Texas Law Review and Order of the Coif.

Janice Coleman is a receptionist/intake specialist at the ULS Northeast location. Janice assists with a busy switchboard, brief advice, information and referral, walk-ins and workshop preparation. Janice prides herself on her ability to help others, provide valuable information and serve her community.

Robert was charged and incarcerated in 1994 at the age of 18. After serving 21 years at the D.C. Jail, Lorton Correctional Facility, and Federal Bureau of Prison Facilities across the US, he was released in 2015 to the District Of Columbia where he spent his childhood. He was accepted into FreeMinds Book Club and enrolled in a Job Readiness and Personal Skill Building Apprenticeship Program where he excelled and who regularly speaks with community members about his personal journey of growth and change. Since 2018 Robert has helped Georgetown Law’s Internship Director run regular Reentry Support Sessions at F.C.I. Petersburg, while working full-time at Catholic Charities as a Program Assistant. In March of 2021 Robert was hired by University Legal Services to be a Reentry Advocate for Victims Services. He regularly offers to connect FreeMinds alumni and old Georgetown clients with job opportunities and is always on hand to talk with newly returning citizens to offer words of advice and encouragement..

Steven Edmonds is a Certified Housing Counselor at the SE location. Originally from the Jersey Shore (New Jersey), Steven moved to Washington DC in 1995 working with various community-based organizations in the DC area. With over 15 years of residential property management and housing experience, Steven is dedicated in working with clients in home purchasing, rentals, and foreclosure prevention.

Jessie Gibson provides comprehensive housing counseling services to families and/or individuals who need pre-purchase, post-purchase, default, foreclosure, rental, or reverse mortgage counseling. She enjoys working with people and helping them purchase and save their homes. 

Charlene Gilchrist is a housing counselor with more than 30 years’ experience. Charlene started out as a receptionist for the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization in ward 7. She quickly took an interest in housing counseling after many discussions with the housing counselors there regarding the programs and services they provided to the community. As she grew up and continued to live in ward 7 she saw housing counseling as a way of assisting her community to better their quality of life. After working for Marshall Heights Community Development for 25 years, Charlene continued her career as a housing counselor when she began working for University Legal Services (ULS) in March of 2010. Her dedication to providing quality services to the surrounding communities continued while working with University Legal Services through such programs, services and counseling as the Home Purchase Assistance Program, Single Family Rehabilitation Program, Mortgage Default & Delinquency, Fair Housing, Credit Counseling, Budget & Money Management, Landlord & Tenant Rights, etc.

Charlene is certified through the National Association of Housing Counselors and Agencies, Inc., and holds certifications through NeighborWorks America in Pre-Purchase & Post-Purchase Homeownership Education, Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling and Homeownership Counseling.

Debra Haydel is the Assistive Technology Specialist with the Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia (ATPDC). She holds a M.S. in Audiology from Howard University and has been in the field of disability and rehabilitation for over 25 years. Ms. Haydel manages all components of the DC Assistive Technology Resource Center (DCARTC) and the short-term device loan program. She provides demonstrations on an array of devices and software in addition to performing AT needs assessments. Ms. Haydel specializes in training and technical assistance in the development of assistive technology policies and procedures. She also designs and administers the ATPDC website www.atpdc.org

Alicia C. Johns is the Program Manager for the Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia (ATPDC). The Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia (ATPDC) is a city-wide program that helps District residents with disabilities regardless of age or disability get appropriate assistive technology (AT) devices and services to live independently. Ms. Johns manages the administration and implementation of the Assistive Technology program services including: the AT Resource Center, AT Device Loan Program, Disability Equipment Recycling Program (DC Shares) and the AT Financing Loan Program. District residents with disabilities have a chance to participate in demonstrations of AT devices; opportunities to tryout AT devices with our short-term device loan program; acquire new or used durable medical equipment, like wheelchairs and walkers and access low-interest loans to purchase assistive technology devices and services. These services are available to all Washingtonians with disabilities and their families with the ultimate goal to provide the most appropriate AT device or service so persons with disabilities can live and function independently at home, school work or in their community. Alicia Johns holds a M.S. in Management and Marketing from the University of Maryland and has been in the field of disability rights and assistive technology for over 26 years. Ms. Johns often states that,

“Technology makes things easier for persons without disabilities, but technology makes things possible for persons with disabilities.”

Lyndsay Niles rejoined Disability Rights DC (DRDC) as a Managing Attorney in July 2020.  Lyndsay helps direct and supervise the work at DRDC and engages in advocacy, litigation, and policy work on behalf of DC residents with disabilities to ensure their community integration and inclusion.  In this role, she serves as class co-counsel in Brown v. District of Columbia, litigation on behalf of DC nursing facility residents seeking transition assistance to access Medicaid-funded community-based services and supports.  Lyndsay also represents DC residents to facilitate their access to community-based Medicaid long-term care and mental health services, polling places, public accommodations, and assistive technology. 

Previously, as a Staff Attorney at DRDC, Lyndsay provided direct representation to hundreds of DC residents with psychiatric disabilities to promote their access to appropriate, individualized Medicaid community-based services.  She also investigated alleged abuse and neglect of youth and adults in institutions and advocated for people with disabilities to be free from discrimination and barriers to work.  

Before becoming a Managing Attorney, Lyndsay was Counsel at the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in the area of prisoners’ rights.  Her practice focused on impact litigation and non-litigation advocacy on behalf of DC prisoners on issues involving: solitary confinement and other forms of isolation, access to mental health care, disability discrimination in parole, treatment of deaf prisoners, and freedom from violent conditions of confinement. Prior to her time as a Staff Attorney at DRDC, Lyndsay worked on Olmstead enforcement as a Contract Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section. Lyndsay graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. degree in Psychology and received her J.D. degree from The George Washington University Law School.  Lyndsay is a native Washingtonian. 

Andrew Martin is Program Manager for the ULS Tenant Purchase Program. He is responsible for designing and delivering real estate development consulting and asset management services to low and moderate income tenants associations that seek to buy and renovate their buildings and create limited equity cooperatives or other forms of multi-family housing. The focus of the Tenant Purchase Program is to create and preserve affordable homeownership in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining University Legal Services in 2011, Andrew was a Disposition Specialist in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) asset management department at Enterprise Community Investment where he managed the Year 15 exit of investors from affordable LIHTC rental housing. And prior to working at Enterprise, Andrew developed affordable housing in Washington, DC and Sacramento, California, including working as a City/County Redevelopment Planner and as a Construction Coordinator at Sacramento Habitat for Humanity.

Andrew is on the board of directors of the Coalition for Non Profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) and holds a master’s degree in regional planning with a concentration in real estate development and transportation planning from the University of North Carolina, and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

Jasmine Pondexter is the receptionist and intake specialist for our Far Northeast location on Benning Rd. Jasmine greets clients with a smile and a warm voice, and conducts intake for programs, and provides information and referral services.

Andrea Procaccino joined DRDC in 2011 as a staff attorney. She is a registered nurse and an attorney. Her focus at DRDC is representing individuals with mental health disabilities whose rights have been violated and conducting abuse and neglect investigations. She also works with pro bono attorneys in the District who represent DRDC clients in rights violation cases. She earned her nursing degree at the University of Maryland and her JD at University of Baltimore.

Frank Rice is the Equipment Recycling Coordinator for DC Shares. DC Shares is the District of Columbia Disability Equipment Recycling Program. The program is a part of The Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia. DC Shares provides Durable Medical Equipment to low income DC residents at no charge. Mr. Rice worked as an Operations Assistant for 12 years, providing administrative assistance and facility coordination. He was also employed as a Durable Medical and Rehabilitation Equipment Specialist for 17 years. Mr. Rice is a product of DC public schools and attended The University of the District of Columbia. Mr. Rice believes everyone deserves outstanding customer service.

Eva joined Disability Rights DC as a Staff Attorney in August 2020. Under the PAIMI and PADD programs, Eva represents DC residents with psychiatric and developmental disabilities to ensure that they receive the community-based support and services to which they are entitled. In addition, under the PABSS program, she advocates on behalf of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries to remove barriers to securing, maintaining, or regaining employment. Prior to joining Disability Rights DC, Eva clerked for the Honorable Robert N. McDonald of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. Eva received her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis. She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, where she served as a Book Review editor for the Michigan Law Review. While in law school, Eva was a student attorney in the Pediatric Advocacy Clinic and interned with the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

*Practicing under the supervision of Sandy Bernstein, Esq.
Admitted to the practice of law in MD; DC Bar admission pending.

Curtrice Scott, M.A., LPC, Reentry Advocate. Curtrice is a Reentry Advocate with JPAP. She joined JPAP after working as a mental health clinician at Community Connections, where she provided comprehensive and therapeutic services to adults dually diagnosed with mental and substance abuse disorders, many who were homeless, involved in the legal system and had histories of trauma. Curtrice holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, DC. Since 2003, she has been working in the mental health field with populations that are underserved. She conducts monitoring at the DC Jail and other correctional sites, preventing abuse and neglect. She also provides direct advocacy to prevent neglect in discharge planning by advocating for effective treatment and coordination and presenting comprehensive plans to support treatment as an alternative to incarceration.

Tammy Seltzer is the Director of the DC Jail and Prison Advocacy Project at Disability Rights DC (DRDC. DRDC founded the DC Jail and Prison Advocacy Project in 2007 to assist DC residents with serious and persistent mental illness returning to the community from jail and prison, removing obstacles to reentry and linking individuals to services and supports. The DC Jail and Prison Advocacy Project is the only DC legal services provider to assist individuals with disabilities to apply for SSI and SSDI prior to their release from incarceration. Tammy has worked for over 20 years vindicating the civil rights of people with mental illness in various arenas including the justice system. Tammy spent two years as the Director of State Policy at the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the national association for community mental health and substance abuse treatment providers. As part of her work with the National Council, Tammy provided technical assistance on a variety of policy issues involving mental health and substance use disorders, such as funding for home- and community-based services and healthcare reform. Tammy also spent 10 years as an attorney with the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, where she focused on children and criminal justice issues, including an SSI benefits project to assist children of Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange. In 2016, Tammy received the Center for Court Excellence’s 2016 Justice Potter Stewart Award for her work with people with disabilities. Tammy graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Public Policy and received her law degree from the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia.

Peter Stephan joined Disability Rights DC in early 2019. He represents DC residents with disabilities to promote their access to vocational rehabilitation services, community-based Medicaid long-term care services, polling places, and public accommodations. Prior to joining ULS, Mr. Stephan was an associate at Correia & Puth representing plaintiffs in employment discrimination suits, where he was selected as a Washington, D.C. Rising Star Lawyer by Thomson Reuters. Previously, as a contract attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Mr. Stephan helped with litigation in the class-action cases Lane v. Brown, U.S. v. Rhode Island and U.S. v. Rhode Island and City of Providence. These cases resulted in opportunities for thousands of individuals with disabilities to move from sub-minimum wage and segregated employment to competitive integrated employment. Mr. Stephan is the recipient of the Assistant Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award.

Mr. Stephan is a graduate of Northwestern University, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, and University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Subsequently, he clerked for the Honorable Phillip J. Shepherd of the Kentucky Franklin Circuit Court and served as a Public Policy Fellow at the National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Maeve joined Disability Rights DC as a Staff Attorney in August 2022. She works alongside DC residents with disabilities, providing direct representation and engaging in litigation to protect and defend their civil rights. Under the PAIMI, PADD, and CRF programs, Maeve advocates for children and adults with psychiatric and developmental disabilities to ensure they receive the community-based support and services to which they are entitled. She monitors conditions in residential and institutional settings, conducts investigations of alleged abuse and neglect, and pursues quality and inclusive special education services for youth.

Prior to joining DRDC, Maeve was a staff attorney with NVLSP’s Lawyers Serving Warriors® Project, where she mentored and advised volunteer attorneys assisting veterans with discharge upgrade claims before the Discharge Review Boards and Board for Correction of Military Records. Prior to joining NVLSP, Maeve completed a judicial fellowship at the Denver District Court. While in law school, Maeve was a legal extern at the Colorado District Attorney’s Office. She also was a student attorney at the law school’s Civil Litigation Clinic and a judicial hearings intern at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Maeve also served as Production Editor of the Denver Law Review. Maeve is a 2020 graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Ms. Sullivan obtained a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication from the University of Minnesota.

Jaclyn joined Disability Rights DC in 2018. As part of the PAIMI and CRF programs, she advocates for individuals with mental health disabilities whose rights have been violated. In addition, as part of the TBI program, Jaclyn advocates for increased community-based services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

Jaclyn completed a dual-degree in which she received a JD, graduating magna cum laude, from Widener University Delaware Law School and a PsyD from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology. She was awarded the Reed Hamilton Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Law. During her graduate training, Jaclyn worked in a variety of healthcare and legal settings, including as a member of the psychology team at a residential substance abuse treatment facility, as a federal judicial extern, and as a psycho-legal intern at HELP:MLP, a medical-legal partnership focused on providing services to low-income mothers.

Sean Wallace is the Supervising Housing Counselor at University Legal Services Far Northeast branch. Sean, a native Washingtonian, joined the Housing Counseling staff of ULS in 1996. With nearly 20 years of demonstrated experience and leadership, Sean has successfully assisted hundreds of families achieve their goal of home ownership.  Soon after joining ULS, Sean realized that one of the quickest ways for the families in this community to obtain and sustain wealth was through home ownership. Famous educator, Horace Mann once said that “Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men...” With that thought in mind, Sean has spent countless hours training clients in home buyer education, credit, budgeting & money management and foreclosure prevention. It is his belief that with the proper knowledge and access to the facts, everyone in our communities has equal opportunity to improve their current condition and realize their dreams.

As the Mitigation & Monitoring Staff Attorney for the DC Jail & Prison Advocacy Project, Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services, Natasha advocates for and represents DC residents with psychiatric and/or intellectual disabilities connected to the jail and prison system. She monitors conditions in correctional settings, investigates complaints of abuse, neglect, and discrimination, and represents clients in a variety of hearings. Natasha also partners with defense attorneys to provide mitigation testimony and documentation for the pretrial, sentencing, and parole release of clients.

Natasha was the Law Fellow for the Jail and Prison Advocacy Project (JPAP) from 2019-2020 before returning to JPAP in 2021. Natasha earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center where she was a Public Interest Fellow and her B.A. from the University of Chicago in 2009. During law school, Natasha interned at The Arc, the largest national advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the Public Defender Services for the District of Columbia. Natasha is a proud self-advocate.

Cheryl White is the Information Technology Manager at University Legal Services.  With over 25 years of experience, Cheryl is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of information technology support systems throughout the organization.