Jennifer Lav is a Senior Attorney in the National Health Law Program’s D.C. office, where she works on issues related to federal health care reform, Medicaid, and community-based mental health services and supports. Before joining National Health Law Program, Jennifer was a staff attorney and then a managing attorney at Disability Rights D.C. at University Legal Services (DRDC), the Protection & Advocacy Program for the District of Columbia.

While at DRDC, she supervised the agency’s mental health advocacy, focusing on increasing access to community-based services for youth and adults, investigating abuse and neglect in facilities, and protecting and expanding autonomy and choice for District residents with disabilities. She also served as class counsel in several longstanding cases against the District government, including Petties vs. District of Columbia, which reformed the delivery of education services to DC students with disabilities, and Brown v. District of Columbia, a case on behalf of nursing facility residents seeking to access Medicaid-funded community-based services and supports.

Prior to joining DRDC, Jennifer was a staff attorney at the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (the Protection and Advocacy program for Alabama) and a clinical lecturer at the University of Alabama School of Law. Her work in Alabama focused on special education and Medicaid advocacy.

Jennifer received her B.A. from Hampshire College and her J.D. from Columbia Law School. Upon graduation, she clerked for Judge Myron H. Thompson, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, and was subsequently awarded the Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP Postgraduate Fellowship in Civil Rights Law.

Jennifer is a native Washingtonian and enjoys learning about D.C. history. Her favorite place in the city is Frederick Douglass’ house.