FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jessica Richwalder Promoted to Director

August 16, 2026, Albany, NY – Disability Rights New York (DRNY) is happy to announce that Jessica Richwalder has been promoted and will serve as Director of our PAIR, PAAT, and PAVA Programs.

Jessica is exceptionally well qualified for this appointment, having demonstrated outstanding leadership in systemic litigation, complex investigations, and high-impact advocacy initiatives.

Jessica joined us in 2015 as a Staff Attorney. In 2018, she was promoted to Senior Staff Attorney.

“I am truly excited to continue my journey with DRNY, representing our clients and the broader disability community. This new role presents a significant opportunity, and I look forward to making an even greater positive impact.” Jessica Richwalder, Director PAIR, PAAT, PAVA 

Over these years, Jessica has consistently distinguished herself through her legal expertise, sound judgment, mentoring of colleagues, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to our clients’ civil rights.

“Jessica’s experience, dedication, and vision make her the ideal person to lead these programs and help safeguard DRNY's impact well into the future.” Timothy A. Clune, Executive Director DRNY

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DRNY is the designated independent non-profit Protection & Advocacy System empowered by Congress to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and provide legal and non-legal advocacy services to people with disabilities in New York State. The Protection & Advocacy System was created by Congress as a direct result of the horrific conditions that were uncovered in the 1970's at New York’s Willowbrook State School.

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DRNY is supported at taxpayer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, and the Social Security Administration. The contents herein are those solely of DRNY and do not represent the official views of these federal agencies.



Disability Rights New York | www.drny.org

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