A Voice for Justice: How Jeff Reichert Turned to an ADA Advocate to Defend His Rights and Protect His Son

In a family court system increasingly criticized for opacity, jurisdictional gamesmanship, and disregard for the rights of both parents and children, Jeff Reichert has made a bold move: he retained an independent ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) advocate to help him challenge what he believes to be a deeply flawed and discriminatory legal process that has tried to ruin he and his son’s lives. .

On May 23, 2025, Certified ADA Advocate and Mediator Janice Wolk Grenadier submitted a detailed letter to top judicial authorities in Maryland on behalf of his son, Grant Reichert. The letter was sent to multiple Chief Judges, the Maryland Attorney General, the Judicial Commission on Disabilities, and others involved in various aspects of Reichert’s years-long custody battle with Sarah Hornbeck. The advocate’s plea? Investigate the systemic failure and assign a Special Master to review the conduct of the courts, the enforcement (or lack thereof) of previous orders, and the alleged discrimination against both Jeff, but mainly, his teenage son, Grant.

Purpose of the Letter

Grenadier’s letter addresses multiple pressing concerns:

• Jurisdictional Misconduct: Despite neither parent living in Anne Arundel County for years, that court continues to control the case—raising serious questions about forum shopping and judicial convenience at the expense of due process.
• Ignored Orders and Ex-Parte Communication: The court has allegedly ignored previous orders mandating therapy and legal representation for Grant. Worse still, decisions were made in chambers—without hearings—after receiving a letter from Hornbeck’s attorney, violating ethical and constitutional boundaries.
• Suppression of the Child’s Voice: Grant’s own preferences and needs have been repeatedly ignored. Exhibits include transcripts and even a video interview conducted by an award-winning investigative journalist, where Grant clearly articulated his wishes—yet the court has taken no action to uphold them.
• Call for a Special Master: Grenadier seeks an independent review of the judicial decisions made behind closed doors and demands enforcement of orders that protect the child’s mental health and legal representation. She emphasizes that Grant’s rights, as well as those of his father, have been denied under the color of law.

Why an Independent ADA Advocate Matters

Reichert’s decision to work with an external ADA advocate who is unaffiliated with either side of the custody case is strategic and vital. In a court environment that has reportedly dismissed or denied nearly every motion filed on his behalf, an ADA advocate brings independent oversight grounded in federal law. Grenadier’s role is not to act as legal counsel, but as a watchdog ensuring that the rights of disabled individuals—including Jeff and, by extension, his son—are not bulldozed in a process rife with procedural irregularities and potential bias.

This distinction is critical. Grenadier explicitly states she is not providing legal advice, but rather advocating for fair process and the enforcement of constitutional protections under the ADA and the Supremacy Clause. Her letter is also significant for whom it addresses—not just the presiding judges, but oversight bodies that are rarely involved in family court matters, bringing broader scrutiny to a case many argue has been conducted in secrecy and with a preordained outcome.

Hopeful Impact

The letter’s submission aims to do more than document wrongdoing—it is a direct appeal for accountability. If the request for a Special Master is granted, it could open the door for an independent review of how Maryland’s family courts are handling custody matters involving disabled litigants. It could also provide a framework for future ADA-based interventions when courts sidestep due process or fail to enforce their own orders.

More broadly, this move highlights a growing need for independent oversight in family courts nationwide. Parents—especially those with disabilities—often find themselves trapped in systems where procedural fairness takes a back seat to judicial expediency or professional relationships. Grenadier’s intervention raises the stakes and signals a shift toward holding courts accountable to the federal protections they are sworn to uphold.

A Quiet Revolution

While the family court system may be designed to prioritize the best interests of children, cases like Reichert v. Hornbeck reveal how easily those interests can be overridden by bureaucratic inertia and unchecked judicial discretion. Jeff Reichert’s enlistment of an ADA advocate may seem like a procedural step—but it’s also a quiet act of rebellion. One that demands attention, transparency, and, above all, justice.

Could a Letter Like This Help Your Case?

Absolutely. If you’re navigating a family court case and believe your rights — or those of your child — have been violated, especially due to a disability, a well-crafted letter from an independent ADA advocate can introduce a powerful layer of oversight. Such a letter brings attention to procedural abuses, jurisdictional irregularities, and failures to comply with ADA obligations. Importantly, it also helps elevate the issue beyond a local courtroom by documenting it for higher authorities, commissions, and watchdog entities.

An ADA advocate can flag due process violations, request interventions like the appointment of a Special Master, and ensure that the needs of disabled litigants — or their children — are not ignored under the color of law. This can be especially helpful in cases where legal representation alone has failed to make an impact or where bias appears to dominate proceedings.

How to Find an Independent ADA Advocate

Finding an ADA advocate doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few steps to consider:

• Search for ‘Certified ADA Advocate’ or ‘ADA Court Advocate’ along with your state name.
• Contact local disability rights organizations and legal aid clinics — they often have connections or referrals.
• Visit national directories such as ADA National Network (adata.org) or JudicialPedia.com for listings.
• Reach out to court watchdog groups or legal accountability networks for trusted referrals.
• Be sure your chosen advocate has no conflicts of interest or ties to the parties involved in your case.

While ADA advocates are not attorneys and cannot offer legal representation, their role is crucial in ensuring access, fairness, and visibility when the courts operate in the shadows. If you’re facing injustice in a system that refuses to see or hear you, an independent ADA advocate might just be the light needed to expose the darkness.

Call to Action:

If you believe family courts should be held accountable for upholding constitutional rights—especially for disabled parents and their children—consider supporting independent journalism and advocacy projects working to expose these issues. Learn more and stay involved at FreeGrantReichert.com.

Access the letter here.