San Diego Attorneys Who Represent
Parents of Children with Disabilities
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Attorneys
The following list is presented in alphabetical order. Please make your
decision based on
interviewing the lawyer and obtaining references. It is not the intention of this site to
recommend lawyers; only to provide
information. See guidelines below for choosing an attorney.
Susan Bishop, Sole Practitioner, 1551 Fourth Ave., #300, San
Diego, CA 9210. 858-653-0315.
Eric B. Freedus, Frank and Freedus, APC 1202 Kettner Blvd.,
#6000, San Diego CA 92101.
619-239-3000 619-236-0217. Will
take
some cases on contingency. Will do telephone consultation.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates1321 Pennsylvania Ave., SE | Washington,
DC 20003-3027 |
Voice: (202) 544-2210
An independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization of attorneys,
advocates and parents established
to improve the quality
and
quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with
disabilities.
Mission Statement
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) is an
independent, nonprofit, §501(c)(3)
tax-exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents, whose primary mission is to secure
educational services for children with disabilities. COPAA is premised on the belief that the
key to effective educational programs for children with disabilities is collaboration as equals by
parents and educators. This is the premise of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the federal statutes that guarantee children with
disabilities a free appropriate
public education.......
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
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LEGAL AND ADVOCACY SERVICES CONTINUED
Alliance Resources, 858-755-7843
Dr. Sarah Frampton, Mr. Alan Roth - Consulting about Special
Education, Section 504, and regional Center
Attorney Referral Line, 619-231-8585
Cochrane, Michael, Attorney, Poway, 858-486-3699
Cromer, Patricia, Attorney, 760-632-1748
Developmental Disabilities Area Board XIII, 858-637-5563Protects and advocates for legal, civil and
service rights of persons
with developmental disabilities.
Education Advocate for Student and Families, 619-987-8065Andrea Goodman, Ed. D.
Educational Advocacy Services, Kathleen Edwards, Ed.D.,
858-456-7318
Legal Aid Society, 619-262-0896
Protection and Advocacy Inc. (PAI), 800-776-5746
Non-profit agency for protection of individuals with
disabilities
Successful Outcomes, 760-942-9531
Merryn Affleck, Educational consultant and parent advocate
TASK San Diego (Team of Advocates for Special Kids), 619-874-2386
Special education law and training.
Volunteer Lawyer Program of San Diego, 619-235-5656
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Guidelines for Choosing an Attorney for Special
Education Representation 
LISA MADIGAN
ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL
If you have a child with a disability, you may find yourself in circumstances in
which you require
assistance in securing services o meet your child’s educational needs. In such circumstances, you
may turn to an attorney for assistance. Below are some basic guidelines to assist you in selecting an
attorney who will be helpful to you. Select an attorney with special education expertise. Special
education is a complex area of the law, and one not generally taught in law school. Attorneys who
assist parents in this field should be well-versed on the various federal and state laws and
regulations, as well as the current special education cases coming from the courts. Select an
attorney with special education experience. The practice of special education can involve simple
negotiations, mediation, administrative hearings (called "due process hearings"), or court
hearings. Attorneys who assist parents in this field should have experience with all of these
areas or at least be able to explain the scope of their special education experience. Ask how the
attorney charges for his/her work. Special education practice can range from public service attorneys
who work for free or at low cost to eligible families to those in private practice who charge for their
work. Be sure you understand and get in writing a statement of any and all retainers, hourly fees, or
flat fees for representation. Understand your role as parents. Attorneys can advise you on the status
of the law and about expected outcomes of your case based upon an analysis of the facts and the law.
However, you remain the ultimate decision maker with regard to your child’s educational planning.
You should also get regular updates from the attorney (preferably in writing) as to the status of the
case. The attorney should be reasonably available to answer your questions and clarify issues. Find
out if the attorney has support personnel who will be assisting him/her.
Attorneys can be alone in the representation of families (called "solo practice")
or can practice
with other attorneys or paraprofessionals. If you are likely to come in contact with or get billed for
such other people, you should understand this person’s role in the case. If the attorney is using a
paraprofessional as a lay advocate, you should understand how closely the attorney will supervise
this paraprofessional. Understand how long it may take to resolve the matter. In some cases,
attorneys can negotiate speedy resolutions for their clients; in others, it may take months to
reach a resolution. Discuss with your attorney the time frame he/she anticipates in resolving
your specific concerns. The attorney should be able to describe the various dispute resolution
tactics (negotiation, mediation, due process, or state monitoring) that could apply in your particular
case and a
reasonable time frame for each.
Select an attorney who understands your child. Each child with a disability is
unique and
presents unique educational concerns. Make sure you are confident that your attorney understands
the underlying disability and how it manifests itself in your child. If a particular type of disability is
new to an attorney, he/she should be willing to educate himself/ herself in its particulars.
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