Meet Our Team

Isabel Machado, Esq.

Senior Partner and Founder

'The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.' –Jim Rohn

Isabel is the founding partner of the Machado Law Group and has devoted her distinguished legal career to the practice of education law. By listening and asking the right questions, Isabel has developed a unique ability to truly partner with clients on creative problem solving. Her collaborative approach fosters understanding and identification of goals and potential obstacles to achievement.

Jessika Kleen, Esq.

Partner

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.' -Eleanor Roosevelt

Jessika is a Partner at Machado Law Group who provides representation to school districts across all subject areas throughout the state of New Jersey. In this role, she collaborates with clients to identify and understand district needs, and then provide guidance and advice to ensure legal compliance moving forward. Jessika routinely conducts internal audits for all the firm’s clients to ensure compliance with mandatory laws, and then creates professional development trainings unique to the needs of the district, based on data-driven audit results, particularly on the area of special education. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements and assists in administrative compliance with established agreements. Jessika consults on all aspects of personnel and labor relations, including: hiring, discipline and discharge of employees; grievances and arbitration; contracting, bidding and procurement; and special education and student discipline matters.

Christine Martinez, Esq.

Senior Counsel

'Education if the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.'  -Nelson Mandela

Christine has represented boards of education in a myriad of school law matters. She has rendered legal advice to school boards and school administrators on legal issues, including Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) matters, student and employee discipline, board policy, tenure and seniority rights, student rights, employment and contract matters, student issues, residency matters, and special education matters. Christine has also conducted workshops and in-service training for educational professionals covering topics, such as sexual harassment, affirmative action, board policy, HIB, and special education.

In the area of immigration, Christine has prepared employment-based visas for permanent residents, including the PERM application, I-140 petition, and adjustment of status. She has also handled employment-based visas for temporary workers, including H-1Bs, L-1s, and P-1s. She has rendered advice on student visas and employer’s I-9 compliance requirements. Christine has also provided representation in petitions for family-based permanent residency, citizenship, and naturalization. Christine is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Christine Bernacki Smith, Esq.

Associate

'Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of becoming.' - Goethe

Christine’s extensive background in litigation brings a unique perspective to the firm. Her experience includes the representation of both individuals and public entities in a broad array of civil litigation matters, both before state court and administrative agencies. Her practice includes discovery, motions, depositions, mediation, arbitration and appellate work. Christine first works with clients to establish their goals and then assists them to achieve the best practical result possible, with an eye towards the reduction of costs.

Arian Rouzbehnia, Esq.

Associate

'Upon the subject of education … I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.' - Abraham Lincoln

As an associate with Machado Law Group, Arian takes pride in solving various legal problems with ingenuity, diligence and efficiency. Prior to joining the firm, Arian worked at a local law firm, where he focused his practice on the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, employment discrimination, wrongful discharge claims, as well requests for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Currently, Arian continues to focus his practice on personnel and employment law matters, including employment discrimination claims.

Maxwell Smith, Esq.

Associate

'Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.' – Theodore Roosevelt

Maxwell comes to us after completing a clerkship with the Honorable Stephanie Ann Mitterhoff, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.  His diligent, down-to-earth approach to the practice of law is an excellent complement to our team.  He prides himself on tailoring creative solutions to our clients’ needs, focusing on labor relations and negotiations.

Christine Magee, Esq.

Associate Attorney

'Learn from people and experiences, from successes and failures. The best leaders never stop learning.' – Donald T. Phillips

An Associate with Machado Law Group, Christine was a corporate immigration attorney for over six years prior to joining our firm.  Christine brings her experience of “crafting out of the box solutions” for clients in areas of law that experience frequent change.  Her practice includes a variety of school law matters including Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB), board policy, employment and contract matters and negotiations.