Our Attorneys

As a parent, when your child is diagnosed with autism or another disability, anxiety about their future can be overwhelming. Our goal is to help you meet these challenges head on.

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Meet the team

Jason Schellack

  • Jason has been the firm’s Managing Attorney since 2015.  Jason focuses his practice on family law, special education law, civil rights, and criminal defense.  Prior to working at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, he was an attorney with the State Public Defenders Office.  Prior to law school, Jason worked with youth with special needs as a Program Director for Courage Center Camps and as a Personal Care Attendant.  He received his law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2010.  While in law school, he was a Student Attorney with the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners (LAMP) program.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Social Justice studies from Hamline University in 2004.  He is also fluent in American Sign Language. 

    Jason is licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota, federal district court, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    In his free time, Jason likes to run races, grow native prairie plants in his yard, and play trumpet with the Minnesota Freedom Band, Minnesota’s LBGTQ concert band.  Jason currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Freedom Band.

Rebecca Wanous

  • Rebecca Wanous joined Autism Advocacy & Law Center in 2019 as a Staff Attorney.  She practices primarily in the areas of guardianship and estate planning.  Prior to working at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, she practiced family law for a law firm based in Delano, Minnesota.  Rebecca graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 2012.  She has a certification in Family Mediation Skills.  While in law school, she was a Child Advocacy Clinical Student Director and served as a Guardian Ad Litem. 

    Rebecca is married, has two children, and lives in the Metro area.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to yoga classes, and assisting couples with day-of wedding coordination.

Natalie Bielenberg

  • Natalie Bielenberg joined the Autism Advocacy & Law Center in 2024 as a Staff Attorney. She practices primarily in the area of guardianship. Prior to working at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, she worked at a non-profit call Rainbow Health. Natalie graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2023. While in law school, Natalie participated in the Indian Child Welfare Clinic. 

    In her free time, Natalie enjoys watching sports, spending time with her husband and dogs, and reading.

Alden Chatfield

  • Alden Chatfield joined the Autism Advocacy & Law Center as a Staff Attorney in 2025. He handles Social Security and Medical Assistance cases, while also practicing in family law, trust law, and civil rights law. Alden grew up in Washington and graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 2019 and Willamette University College of Law in 2022, both in Oregon, before finding his home in Minnesota. Prior to joining the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, he worked as a public defender in Eugene, Oregon, and then in private practice at a law firm in Minneapolis. Alden is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, and the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, and has been admitted to practice federal law in the District of Minnesota. In his free time, Alden enjoys working on his many hobbies.

Emma Utley

  • Emma earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Utah State University in 2024 and relocated to Minnesota shortly thereafter. She began her career as a Victim Advocate, supporting individuals involved in the legal system. Through this work, she developed a strong interest in legal support and client advocacy, and she is passionate about helping individuals navigate important processes with clarity and care.

    As a paralegal at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, Emma assists with client communication, document preparation, and office operations. She values building meaningful relationships with clients and contributing to a supportive, client-centered environment. Emma has enjoyed establishing both her career and community in Minnesota. In her free time, she enjoys floral arranging and other creative projects.

Hannah Linder

  • Hannah grew up in southeast Minnesota and, in 2025, graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Psychology and Sociology of Law, Crime, and Justice, with high distinction. Prior to working at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, Hannah has been a mental health worker, floral designer, assisted with an animal therapy program, and worked with children.

    Hannah started as a paralegal with the Autism Advocacy & Law Center in 2025.  She enjoys assisting families with a variety of legal needs.  In her free time, Hannah enjoys working out, spending time with her cats, thrifting, and looking at expensive homes on Zillow.  Hannah is skilled in ASL and also enjoys learning new languages.

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