In This Section

• Overview
• Center for Children's Rights
• Center for Intellectual Property Law
• Center for International and Comparative Law
• Legal Clinics
  • Children’s Advocacy Clinic
  • Family Violence Clinic
  • Special Education Clinic
• Private and Public Externship Program
• Institute of Student and Graduate Academic Support
• Institute for Trial and Appellate Practice
• Institute for Writing and Professional Skills
• Study Abroad

Special Education Clinic

Students provide direct representation to minor children seeking special education services from initial Individual Education Plan (“IEP”) meetings through administrative mediation sessions. Students learn the law on an individual level as it interfaces with a whole system of services: social, educational, and medical.

The Special Education Legal Clinic provides students the unique opportunity to directly represent minor children seeking special education services from school districts. Students participate in Individual Education Plan (“IEP”) meetings through administrative mediation sessions, under the supervision of experienced attorneys. Students learn the law on an individual level as it interfaces with a whole system of services: social, educational, and medical. Current caselaw, statutes and regulations regarding special education are analyzed and advocacy is provided for families in the multicultural greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Students work closely with parent groups by participating in legal educational training regarding IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Students are trained to file noncompliance complaints with the State Department of Education, Section 504 Complaints with the Office of Civil Rights, ADA complaints with the Department of Justice, and due process complaints with the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Special Education Legal Clinic has benefitted students by presenting this unique educational opportunity to develop advocacy, negotiation, communication and research skills on behalf of children with disabilities and their families since 1996. Clinical students’ work has a broad impact; a high rate of cases are resolved in favor of the children and their families due to student-advocate efforts. The clinic has provided many students an opportunity to make a career in the area of disability law and special education law. Many of the students who have participated in the clinic have gone on to become disability and/or special education attorneys.
-Past or concurrent enrollment in Lawyering Skills required.

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3333 Harbor Boulevard • Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.444.4141 • 800.808.8188