Special Education

a group of four kids posing for a pictureThe Individual with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) provides your child with a disability an entitlement to a free and appropriate education that provides meaningful benefit. We work to maximize your access to the rights and services provided by this Act.

Our attorneys have significant experience in special education law practice and represent families in disability rights across California. We represent clients with a wide range of disabilities and needs. We represent children that fall under all eligibility categories under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, including but not limited to children with autism, severe emotional impairment, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairment, other health impairments, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury and low incidence disabilities. Low incidence disabilities include the deaf, visually impaired, and orthopedically impaired. We represent children that face special circumstances such as school expulsion, the need for more restrictive placements or intensive behavior intervention services. We assist you to obtain an effective Individualized Education Program (IEP), and ensure it is correctly implemented.

When you retain our firm, we:


  • Request and review all educational, medical and disability related records to get a comprehensive understanding of your child’s needs;
  • Provide counsel about available services, based on your child’s unique needs;
  • Discuss a long-term strategy for your child’s educational trajectory;
  • Identify independent and private experts to help you understand your child’s needs (in many cases, we get the school district to pay for the evaluation);
  • Consult with you to develop a reimbursable plan for unilateral placement;
  • Zealously represent you at IEP meetings to ensure your rights are protected and your child receives an effective program;
  • Enforce the school district’s compliance with the IEP;
  • In the event of a disagreement at the IEP, we represent you through advocacy, negotiation, and due process hearing;
  • Negotiate a settlement agreement to provide you with guaranteed services and protection;
  • Represent you aggressively at due process hearing, and if necessary, in appeals.

When parents prevail at a due process hearing, they have the right to reimbursement of their attorney’s fees. When advocacy and mediation fail to address your needs, and if appropriate,  we will litigate your case through resolution and we work with you to make hearing a feasible approach.  orthopedically impaired.

Our work encompasses securing:


  • Eligibility for special education services and an Individualized Education Program (IEP);
  • Advocating at IEP meetings to obtain a program that allows your child to make reasonable progress and benefit from their special education and related services;
  • Accommodations and/or modifications for the student in the general education classroom;
  • Related aides, supports and services in the general education classroom;
  • Intensive behavior intervention such as Applied Behavior Analysis;
  • Positive Behavior Support Plans;
  • Research based reading, writing and math intervention programs. School district assessments;
  • Reimbursement for private services and placements.

Independent education evaluations (IEE) funded by school districts in all areas including:


  • Neuropsychology
  • Psycho-Educational
  • Mental Health
  • Functional Behavior
  • Speech And Language
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Functional Vision
  • Audiologist
  • Assistive and Augmentative Communication
  • Health

Securing an appropriate placement for your child including:


  • General Education with maximal supports and services to keep the child in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE);
  • Specialized Academic Instruction (RSP or SDC; push in or pull out)
  • Non-Public School Placements (NPS);
  • Residential Placements;
  • Residential Placements.
  • Home Placement;
  • Other Alternative Placements.
  • Other Alternative Placements. (1)

Obtaining Related Services, including funding for Non-Public Agency Services:

  • Compensatory Educational Services
  • Reading, Writing and Math Intervention Programs
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Social Skills Programs
  • Behavior Intervention
  • Transition Services

Representing Your Child in Special Circumstances


  • Representing your child in school disciplinary actions including suspensions, expulsion hearings, expulsion appeals, manifestation determination, IEP meetings;
  • Addressing retaliation against Parents for their advocacy;
  • Addressing discriminatory practices against children on the basis of their status as a disabled child;
  • Reimbursement for private placements;
  • Compensatory educational services;
  • Representing Parents through all aspects of dispute resolution including due process hearings, settlement negotiations, mediation, resolution session, and appeals.
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What People Say About Us


"I had just about Given up"

I cannot express in words the gratitude I have for Attorney Hirji and Ms Gillett. I was exhausted and completely desperate when a friend referred me to her organization for services. After years of being gaslighted, disregarded and ignored by school districts, I had just about given up. My child had become justice impacted, due to negligence from the school district. They had fallen so far behind academically, because of unacknowledged disabilities, I didn’t believe there was a chance for them to complete high school.

In less than six months, Attorney Hirji and her team got my child the services they were entitled to, a robust settlement to help ensure there will be time to make up the services they did not receive initially and support to help close the school to prison pipeline the school district created. I am also grateful for the support I received after the settlement, continuing to advocate for my child at IEP amendments.

Having Ms Gillett model for me in how to advocate was helpful in allowing me to be heard and teaching me to remove some of the emotions built up from my previous frustration. I always felt apart of the process and respected by Attorney Hirji and her team. Her services are essential to help heal and elevate families that are most vulnerable in California and I hope they are able to continue this work for decades to come. 

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Client, G.C.

"A rare feat in law circles"

They have not only helped in bringing a Federal ADA Retaliation case against the School District, they successfully argued our Restraining Order appeal to reversal! Yes! They were able to get our RO overturned unanimously! A rare feat in law circles. We are eternally grateful.

They continue to help us with our IEP meetings and convinced the Federal court that our ADA Retaliation case has merit. Their knowledge of Disability and Educational case law is unmatched as is their empathy for the young victims.

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Client, P.S.

"The school district was ordered to reimburse me"

Rosa and Jenny filed for due process against the school district. After an intense nine-day hearing, the school district was ordered to reimburse me for funding his special education services, including tuition at Fusion Academy and mental health services.

Their advocacy did not end there. Rosa and Jenny also filed a federal lawsuit against the school district for violating my son's civil rights under anti-discrimination laws by failing to provide him with accommodations due to his disability. They were able to settle the matter with the school district. I thank them for their tenacity and perseverance in pursuing my case and advocating for my son's educational rights. My son has since graduated from high school and is now attending community college.

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Client, A.M.S.

"They are more than attorneys and advocates for our children"

I cannot write a recommendation high enough for the Law Offices of Hirji & Chau. They are more than attorneys and advocates for our children. They really understand what our lives as parents of special needs kids are like.

Every single employee at the Law Offices of Hirji & Chau is an angel; always displaying professionalism, working above and beyond for our families, and always with kindness. Retaining the Law Offices of Hirji & Chau services ranks as one of the best decisions my husband and I have ever made.

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Client, K.E.

"You have been a powerful, articulate force leading us through this journey"

I just wanted to thank you again for helping us get our daughter into a NPS. You have been a powerful, articulate force leading us through this journey. We have wanted an environment that would meet the need of our child for many years now. You helped make that happen. We are grateful!

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Client, S. & R.B.