Monthly Feature: Get to Know... Anne M. McGinnis
June 1, 2025
When you meet Anne McGinnis, you’ll find a woman of considerable gifts, intellect and wide-ranging interests. In addition to her work in the law, Anne is an accomplished musician, holds a Ph.D. in psychology and has worked extensively in the public school system.
Anne credits the fullness of her career to a procession of mentors who helped her develop and combine her many talents to fashion a practice that touches upon all she loves, including a determination to be of service to people, especially children.
The holder of bachelor degrees from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, Anne admits that “I would go to school forever if it was affordable and socially acceptable.”
Today, Anne’s thriving school law practice is informed by her multiple academic degrees, mentors, life experiences and her enduring commitment to young people. She represents and counsels school districts, private schools, charter schools, BOCES and employers across New York State with a focus on special education, general education and school board matters.
Not long after Anne began her law career, her mom came across Anne’s second grade journal. Within its pages, she found that even then, Anne had expressed the desire to help people as a lawyer. While her path to the law was anything but direct, Anne has always been and continues to be driven to be of service.
Given her broad range of talents and voracious appetite for learning, Anne explored numerous career paths before getting her law degree. At one time she envisioned becoming an astronaut. Then, while attending space camp, she learned space travel didn’t allow for people with eyeglasses or asthma, squelching that desire.
Mentors have consistently played a prominent role in Anne’s life, providing the guidance that has allowed her to gracefully pivot as she explored her passions, talents and inclinations to fashion her life’s work on her own terms. While she wouldn’t recommend “that anyone do any of this as I did,” she hasn’t any regrets.
Music has always been a primary focus. Her first piano lessons started at age five, followed by clarinet and violin instruction. While in high school, Anne studied music at The Eastman School of Music’s Community School. A natural progression led to the Hartt School of Music, where Anne majored in music education.
“When you’re studying an instrument, you form a special bond with your teacher, which is extremely impactful to a young person. My relationships with some very special music teachers had an impact that made me want to similarly mentor and give back to others.”
While her love of music remained strong, caring about kids and making a positive impact on their lives started to take precedence. Early into her music program, she asked to pursue a double major, adding psychology. Although she was initially informed that it was not permissible to double major outside of the music school, Anne nevertheless took every psychology class she could and was eventually successful at adding the second major. Her work in those classes led to an advisor and mentor who identified Anne as a potential Ph.D. candidate. This steered her graduate work at Penn State’s school psychology program, where Anne was introduced to the policy side of education. She began to seriously contemplate law school but first wanted to complete her Ph.D.
After graduation, she accepted a school psychologist position on Long Island to achieve her required post doc experience to earn licensure. Her role involved supporting students with disabilities who received special education services. This focus on special education gave Anne a particular window into students and educators that continues to inform her work today.
With her summers off, Anne wasted no time to begin studying for the LSAT. She was accepted at St. John’s University School of Law, enrolling in its night program while working by day as a school psychologist. During the final exam period of her 1L year, she completed her required post doc supervision hours and took the psychology licensing exam the same week as her first semester finals. Her determination and focus allowed her to finish law school one semester early while still working in the schools.
When an associate position in special education law opened nearby, Anne didn’t hesitate to take the job, despite giving up a great benefits package and taking a significant pay cut. She hasn’t looked back and continued to move forward, eventually leaving downstate to take a position in her hometown, Rochester.
Anne is a staunch supporter of public education. “Giving all of our children an educational foundation is one of the best aspects of the United States. I love supporting education and educators. They care deeply about their students.”
She values the long-term relationships she has formed with her clients, which “make it a lot easier to work the often long and stressful hours that come with the job.”
Serving on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters reflects her commitment to the benefits bestowed on mentoring and mentees. “I care about this cause. Many children have experienced trauma and other obstacles, and the goal is to help kids be resilient. Having at least one positive relationship with an adult can make a lifelong difference. Educators are in a perfect position to be that person for a child.”
“I see the legal work that I do as a helping profession. It is rewarding to work with educators and problem-solve together to support the students’ needs.”
Anne is unceasingly grateful to the mentors in her life, and still regularly presents on school law with a grad school mentor from Penn State. She hopes to play a similar role to others as she continues to develop her practice.
She believes that relationships develop naturally. “I’m motivated by the relationships I form and enjoy hearing people’s stories. I get a lot of requests to meet up for coffee to discuss career options, and I always say yes.”
