A veteran educator and Eastern Washington native, Kerri's passion for education and disability law stems from her 25 years of teaching experience. Her passion and commitment to excellence has garnered numerous awards. In 2015, the Washington State Association of Justice named Kerri the Public Justice Lawyer of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of clients and students with disabilities. For four years running (2020-23), Kerri has been designated a Super Lawyer, a peer designation awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state.

Kerri W. Feeney
Founder, Attorney at law

In private practice since 2003, Kerri was named the Public Justice Lawyer of the Year in 2015 by the Washington State Association of Justice for her advocacy on behalf of clients and students with disabilities. Kerri holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism with an accredited minor in Spanish and a Masters degree in Education with an emphasis on guidance and counseling, both from Washington State University. In 2003, Kerri completed the WSBA Rule 6 Law Clerk Program, studying under the late attorney Raymond Whitlow. In 2013, Kerri earned a certificate in Mediation Training from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard University School of Law.

A veteran legal educator, Kerri taught classes in the Paralegal Program at Columbia Basin College for approximately 25 years. During that time, she published a textbook for paralegals through Wiley Law Publications entitled, The Paralegal's Role in Trial. 

From 2020-21, she was the president of the Attorneys for Education Rights (AFER), a Washington nonprofit dedicated to improving educational outcomes for children in Washington state. She currently serves as the group’s education director. Learn more about AFER here.

Kerri is proficient in Spanish, both written and spoken. As a college student, she studied abroad in both Guadalajara, Mexico, and London.

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association                                                                       2004 - Present

• Washington State Bar Association #34080                            November 2003 - Present

• Benton Franklin Counties Bar Association                                               2004 - Present

• American Diabetes Association Attorney Advocate                                 2008 - Present

• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates                                            2010 - Present

• United States District Court, Eastern District Court of Washington, May 2006 - Present

• United States District Court, Western District Court of Washington, Jan. 2010 - Present

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals                                                       March 2011 - Present 

• United States Supreme Court                                                         March 2016 - Present

• Attorneys for Education Rights (AFER) 2019 - Present

• Washington State Super Lawyers 2020, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23

• Washington State Association for Justice (Eagle Member)

Jenna Schuenemann, Of Counsel

Jenna Schuenemann earned her Juris Doctor, with concentration in public interest law, from the University of Washington School of Law in 2011. From 2017 to 2024, Jenna served as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). She started her work as an ALJ working on the Social and Health Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Health Care Authority caseloads. Jenna joined the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) caseload full-time in October 2020, focusing exclusively on education law, primarily special education due process hearings. 

Prior to joining OAH, Jenna was a public defender for six years, working in Pierce and Snohomish counties. Her love of education law was sparked by her two years as a juvenile court public defender, seeing the need for holistic representation for children and their families. 

Jenna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a major in East Asian Languages and Cultures, specializing in Chinese and political science. In her free time, Jenna enjoys being active outdoors with her husband and two children.

Nicholle Mineiro, Of Counsel

Nicholle Mineiro has been in practice for 16 years, representing parents, guardians, and students in special education due process cases, civil rights litigation, and appeals. Nicholle served as co-counsel in the Ninth Circuit Edmonds School District v. A.T. case regarding the responsibility of school districts to provide an appropriate education in residential treatment placements. She has represented amicus parties in appellate cases involving the constitutional right to an education and transparency into the practices of nonpublic agencies serving children with disabilities.

Nicholle is a founding member of Attorneys for Education Rights and serves as its current President. She works towards education public policy and legislative reform in Washington state, as well as training attorneys, parents, and community members to advocate for the education rights of children and youth. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 1998, a master’s degree in education from Claremont Graduate University in 2002, and juris doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles in 2007. She is admitted to practice in the Western and Eastern U.S. District courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Katherine Hurt, of counsel

Katherine Hurt earned her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Washington.

Katie Hurt grew up in the disability community, so understands firsthand the struggles and needs of families impacted by disabilities. Her interest in advocacy began when her brother was diagnosed with Autism as a child. She chose to pursue a career in the legal profession to better meet the more complex needs of families like hers.

Ms. Hurt has experience navigating the areas of federal, state, and county benefits and understands how assets, income, and special needs trusts can impact an individual’s access to them. Ms. Hurt has also gained expertise in guardianship, estate planning, trust drafting and administration, special education, and independent living and housing options. In her free time, Ms. Hurt has coached the Ski Hawks Special Olympics ski racing team and serves on the Board for the Arc of King County. In both 2018 and 2019, she received recognition as a Washington State Super Lawyers Rising Star. In 2023, she was designated a WA Super Lawyer in estate planning.

William “Bo” Johnson III, Of Counsel

William “Bo” Johnson III is an attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama. After obtaining his B.A. from Birmingham-Southern college in 1996, he earned his law degree at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, where he was a scholarship student. After graduation, he was recruited by one of Birmingham’s top trial firms, where he gained experience in medical and legal malpractice cases and appellate litigation. Later, Mr. Johnson went to work with his partner, Jeff Kirby, and together they started Kirby Johnson Law, also based in Birmingham.

In 2018, Mr. Johnson obtained a certificate in special-education advocacy from the William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia. He handles IDEA cases, cases arising from for violations the Americans With Disabilities Act, and cases arising from violations of § 504 The Rehabilitation Act of 1972. Additionally, Mr. Johnson handles cases related to students’ IEPs as well as due-process claims.

Tamra Harrison, wsba Rule 6 Law clerk

Tamra Harrison earned her B.A. in Social Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Washington State University - Tri-Cities in 2009. Tamra is a former Washington PAVE community volunteer and has been a member of the Richland School District’s Special Education Task Force and sits on the RSD Parent Advisory Council. She is the current Advocacy Chair of the Benton-Franklin Counties Special Education PTA and was previously its co-president. As of 2022, she is a Certified Mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities.

Brenna Bryant, Paralegal

Brenna conducts client interviews, background research, and office management. She graduated from Whitman College with a double major in politics and music and is currently earning a master’s degree from Columbia University in the City of New York.

Rosie Rivera, Interpreter/Translator

Rosie Rivera holds a paralegal certificate from Columbia Basin College. She is certified to provide Spanish language interpretation in medical and social services settings. She has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and has taught Spanish to English-speaking adults through the Tri-Cities Community Education Programs.

Margot Feeney, Office Dog

Margot is proficient in napping, yapping, and getting her humans to do her bidding. She is the current director of Play Time and Treats and can bark in five languages.