Virtual Subrecipient Monitoring and Enforcement

Having served as an attorney adviser to the former United States Office of Education, and Chief of the Adult and Vocational Education Branch in the HEW Office of General Counsel / Education Division, Michael Brustein served on the transition team to establish the United States Education Department. Following the opening of the new federal department in May 1980, he founded the firm with Leigh Manasevit in July 1980.

Over the past 35 years, Brustein & Manasevit, PLLC have worked with all 50 states, many school districts, postsecondary institutions, and national education organizations on issues related to federal support of education and workforce development. Over this period of time Michael Brustein has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on federal grants management, audit resolution, as well as workforce education and development issues.

Steven A. Spillan joined Brustein & Manasevit, PLLC in January 2006 as a Legislative Assistant. In 2011, Mr. Spillan became as Associate with the Firm and in 2020 he became a Partner. Mr. Spillan assists clients with federal grants management and various federal education programs, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Strengthening Career & Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, the Higher Education Act, the Federal Funding Accountability & Transparency Act, the Digital Accountability & Transparency Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Mr. Spillan also works with clients on compliance with applicable rules and regulations under the Uniform Grant Guidance, as adopted by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations. This includes providing training on applicable grants management rules, assisting clients with drafting/updating written policies and procedures for their federal grants, conducting mock monitoring reviews to detect any material weakness in a non-federal entity’s internal controls, and assisting clients in resolving any audit or monitoring findings. In addition, Mr. Spillan works with the Legislative Director and clients to develop their federal legislative strategies and facilitates their representation before Congress and administrative agencies. As part of his legislative duties, Mr. Spillan monitors and writes about the federal budget process, education legislation, and important administrative actions to keep clients informed of activities in Washington that can affect their federal programs.

Mr. Spillan received his J.D. from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in May 2011. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University in 2005. Mr. Spillan is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.