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.

Meet the team

Jason Schellack

  • Jason is the Executive Director of the Autism Advocacy & Law Center. He became the Executive Director in 2014 when the firm’s founder, Amy Dawson, was elected as a judge in Hennepin County. Jason focuses his practice on family law, special education law, guardianship, criminal defense, and juvenile delinquency. Prior to working at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, he was an attorney with the State Public Defenders Office. As a public defender, he represented hundreds of clients in criminal, juvenile delinquency and child protection cases. Prior to law school, he 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 William Mitchell College 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 very active in the Twin Cities legal community. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association.

    In his free time Jason competes in CrossFit competitions and is an enthusiastic fan of the North Star Roller Girls and Minnesota Roller Girls.

Rebecca Wanous

  • Rebecca Wanous joined Autism Advocacy & Law Center in 2019 as a Staff Attorney. She practices primarily in the areas of guardianship, family law, 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 and lives in the Metro area. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and gardening.

Molly Whitley

  • Molly Whitley joined the Autism Advocacy & Law Center as a Staff Attorney in 2023. She runs the firm’s Social Security practice while also practicing in family law and guardianship. Molly is a graduate of Purdue University and the University of Minnesota Law School. During law school, Molly participated in clerkships at The Advocates for Human Rights, Gender Justice, and a small immigration law firm with a focus on humanitarian cases; she also participated in the Indian Child Welfare Clinic. Prior to joining the Autism Advocacy & Law Center, she clerked for Judge Frank Magill in Hennepin County Juvenile Court for two and a half years. In her free time, Molly enjoys crafting, participating in community education/theatre, and mentoring through the Big Brother Big Sisters program.

Andrew Larson

  • Andrew has been the Paralegal at the Autism Advocacy & Law Center since 2017. He provides support for all of the attorneys at the firm. He attended Winona State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. He also graduated from the Paralegal Studies Program at North Hennepin Community College.

    Born and raised in Minneapolis, Andrew enjoys reading and biking.

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