Hillary D. Freeman, Esq.
“Everyone should be entitled to the same benefits and services so they can enjoy their life and find success (however they define it). Everyone should be treated the same instead of being defined by wealth. Certain core things—be it justice or access to special education services—should be easily and readily available to everyone.”
In our bustling world, there are unsung heroes who work tirelessly to champion causes that often go unnoticed, and through their efforts, plant the seeds for a better tomorrow. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s September 2023 Volunteer of the Month is one such “gardener,” harnessing the power of pro bono to ensure children have access to the services and support they need and deserve. This month, we cheerlead and honor Hillary D. Freeman, Esq., a special education powerhouse and Founding Partner of Freeman Law Offices.
Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications and Politics from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law, Hillary's expertise is extensive. Yet, Hillary’s expertise with and passion for children who have special education needs extends beyond the professional realm: as the sister of a man with autism, and a national speaker in special education matters, she is able to combine personal experience with her legal training to help families advocate for services and supports. Hillary has experience representing clients in special education and Section 504 issues, higher education matters including accommodations on high stakes testing and graduate school admissions tests, guardianship matters, estate planning and adult services. Hillary’s practice sees her serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Representative of her achievements, Hillary was named a Rising Star℠ by Super Lawyers magazine, awarded the Community Partnership Award from the Family Resource Network and Family Support Center of New Jersey (2012), and honored with the Robin Sims Trailblazer Award in 2015 from the Parents of Autistic Children (“POAC”). Hillary’s efforts aren’t just regional; Hillary has “gone on the road” internationally to consult and present on civil rights to schools and government officials in Ghana and Liberia as well as the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day. In furtherance of her advocacy, Hillary is actively involved with several organizations, including the Council for Parent and Attorney Advocates (“COPAA”), Autism New Jersey, and Parents of Autistic Children. Hillary has also served in leadership positions that include being the former Vice President of Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey, a former Executive Board member of ASCEND: Asperger & Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia along with her current efforts on the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Elder and Disability Law Section and Education Law Committee (2008-present).
Hillary's special education law journey began in 2005, and she eventually learned of VLJ through the Special Education Practitioner’s listserv. Hillary’s spirit of pro bono sees her actively support VLJ’s Children’s Representation Program (CRP) in addition to unaffiliated pro bono advocacy. Additionally, Hillary provides free training for parents on special education rights as well as parental advocacy efforts in tandem with other nonprofit organizations. Since beginning her volunteer story at VLJ in 2019, Hillary has generously donated over 170 hours of her time. Hillary mentioned she likes the connections she receives from VLJ along with the deep level of support provided, whether that is a detailed writeup of a potential pro bono case or helping access resources for children and parents with limited economic means.
As one may imagine, Hillary’s experience in special education law translates into invaluable insight, especially insight that does not always make the news. When discussing some of the challenges she faces as a special education practitioner, Hillary remarked, “The biggest challenge I see is school districts are not keeping up with the evolving research on how best to educate students with special education needs. The programs they provide are antiquated, and when students are identified as not making progress, one only need to look at the outdated research and arguments some districts use when providing special education services.” Hillary also noted an extremely sad and unfortunate reality when it comes to children accessing quality and supportive special education services: funding (and the lack thereof).
Hillary sees some school districts without access to services, specialized professionals, and other necessary supports because of alleged budgetary constraints. Hillary pointed to an example of how when it comes to dollars and cents, it always pays to invest locally: “School districts may say services don’t exist or they don’t have the funds to pay for them. One such example involves students with dyslexia: these students should have the opportunity to be educated in their school district, and to train a teacher in special literacy intervention costs $1,000 and can impact as many as 44 students a day. Instead of paying to train teachers, some school districts pay $50,000 a year to send a student with dyslexia to a private school. What are being claimed as obstacles are not the obstacles; teachers need the skills and support required to not only do their jobs well, but also serve students in a manner that will achieve lasting results and success. We can be way more effective in education than we are now.”
Whether in an upcoming trial or on an average day of the week, Hillary continues her fight for equity and justice. When asked what “Ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty” looks like to her, Hillary responded with, “Everyone should be entitled to the same benefits and services so they can enjoy their life and find success (however they define it). Everyone should be treated the same instead of being defined by wealth. Certain core things—be it justice or access to special education services—should be easily and readily available to everyone.”
As Hillary and her wife prepare to welcome their first child this month, her commitment to creating a better world for the next generation shines even brighter. This commitment is evident in her efforts, both for her firm and for VLJ. Hillary is not merely an attorney, she is a force for change, an advocate for justice, and a guiding light for those who seek a fair and inclusive society, especially for the youngest among us. Hillary embodies the undeniable truth that every individual has the power to make a lasting impact, one selfless act at a time. Indeed, in addition to Hillary’s volunteerism, she also generously donates to various non-profit organizations. Of course, what makes Hillary the proudest is her wife and her work with Vista Higher Learning that includes the development of a Spanish Language Arts curriculum so Spanish-speaking students have equal access to language arts.
To Hillary, our September 2023 Volunteer of the Month, thank you for passionately harnessing the power of pro bono to realize a better, kinder, and more just New Jersey.
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