People of AC – Melissa Losch

Melissa is the Managing Attorney of AC's Special Education Legal Group.  She works in our Baton Rouge office.

Since you started working at AC, what has changed?

Since I started working at the Advocacy Center almost ten years ago, I have seen a movement in focus toward more systematic solutions to issues affecting people with disabilities in Louisiana, targeting issues in such a way that we are able to reach the greatest number of people possible with limited resources.  Over the years, I have found that the agency remains flexible to meet changing needs, and continually strives to find ways to meet the current needs of its clients, despite increasing fiscal challenges.

Tell us about one of your biggest accomplishments.

For me personally, my biggest accomplishment has been being selected to manage the Special Education Legal Group.  I first became involved with the Advocacy Center years ago, as the sister of a former client who was helped by the Special Education group.  I was so impressed with the Advocacy Center and the work they did, it prompted me to go to law school with the hope of one day having an opportunity to work with the agency.  Not only did I realize the goal of working at AC, but I feel privileged to have been entrusted to lead the work of the Special Education Legal Group.

What is the biggest frustration of your job?

My biggest frustration is when we cannot accept a case for representation because the client has an issue that does not fall within the agency's priorities.  While I understand that as a non-profit agency we do not have the resources to take on every case and every issue, it still saddens me when I have to explain that to someone who has reached out to us for help.  That said, we have a very good referral system, and while it is frustrating to be unable to take on every case, I am confident that the referrals we make help those callers find the assistance they need.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?

I hope to target more systematic issues affecting kids with disabilities, so that we can improve special education services for many children with diabilities.

What's one thing you like about working at AC?

I like many things about working at the Advocacy Center, but in particular, I really like the people that I have the honor of working with at the agency.  The staff at AC have a true passion for the work they do, and it is much more than "just a job."  There is true dedication on the part of AC's staff, and it is wonderful to have an opportunity to work with so many great people who are committed to the work that they do.

What's something people might not know about you?

I did not go to law school until my early thirties.  I grew up in the New Orleans area, and moved with my family as a young adult to Illinois, where we opened a New Orleans-style restaurant.  We often traveled back and forth from Illinois to New Orleans in a refrigerated truck to bring back authentic ingredients, such as Leidenheimer's French bread and fresh seafood.  It was a great experience, and the restaurant was successful, but it was exhausting!  After several years, we were ready to come home and move on to something else.  I went back to school with the intention of becoming a psychologist, and it was during the course of my studies that my brother was assisted by the Advocacy Center.  I then decided to go to law school, and the rest is history!

I am proud to be associated with the Advocacy Center and such a terrific group of people!