Leslie Long
Senior Advocacy Advisor
Leslie Long is a Senior Advocacy Advisor at Freeman Law Offices, where
she works alongside the firm’s attorneys to help individuals with
autism and other developmental disabilities, and their families, find
their way through the services, benefits and systems they depend on. She
brings more than two decades of executive experience in disability advocacy,
public policy and non-profit leadership, along with in-depth knowledge
of Medicaid, employment supports, housing and adult services.
Leslie knows these systems from the inside. She has testified at New Jersey legislative hearings, worked with state and federal policymakers and agencies, and advocated successfully for legislation supporting the autism and developmental disability community in New Jersey. That experience lets her help clients understand their options, gather what they need, and press for the services and supports they are entitled to.
Leslie’s career includes senior roles at leading autism and disability organizations. At Autism New Jersey, she directed public policy and systems advocacy and led a statewide think tank whose recommendations to improve services for adults with autism were largely adopted by the state. As Vice President, Adult Services at Autism Speaks for nearly eight years, she was the organization’s primary public policy spokesperson on adult issues and built its adult services nationwide. She has also served as Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Cape May County, Inc.; as Executive Director of Popcorn for the People, and has consulted on programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Leslie’s advocacy has been widely recognized. The Governor of New Jersey appointed her to the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recognized her advocacy on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and she received a leadership award from NJAPSE. She is often interviewed as an expert on autism and developmental disability policy by outlets including CNBC, NPR, News 12, The Star-Ledger and Exceptional Parent.
Leslie earned her B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Gerontology, from Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey.