About Jonathan Steele
Jonathan Steele is the founder of Educational Legal Services, established in 2024, where he advocates for students and families navigating the education system. With a specialization in education law, Jonathan focuses on special education law, student discipline, and student injury cases, ensuring that students’ rights are protected and their needs are met.
Before launching Educational Legal Services, Jonathan honed his skills at Steele Schneider, where he worked closely with his business partner Marc Schneider, and his father, Charlie Steele. Marc helped refine Jonathan’s logical thinking, shaping his analytical approach to the law, while Charlie instilled a deep passion for advocating for families and children. These influences continue to guide Jonathan’s problem-solving approach, emphasizing practical, individualized solutions that benefit students and their support networks.
Jonathan’s career is rooted in both education and law. A former elementary music teacher, he holds a degree in Music Education from Youngstown State University. His frustration with the lack of training in special education for educators sparked his interest in this field, leading him to earn his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law.
In addition to his legal practice, Jonathan enjoys speaking to parent advocacy groups and collaborating with student advocates to empower families and promote student success. He also contributed to the field as a co-author of Special Education Law Case Studies: A Review from Practitioners, published by Rowan & Littlefield Publishers in 2019.
His dedication and expertise have earned him consistent recognition on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2018 to 2025, highlighting his contributions to Schools & Education.
Jonathan lives in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two daughters. He finds his greatest joy in fatherhood and is committed to making a meaningful difference for families in his community.