By Theo Meranze and Robert D. Skeels At the July meeting of the Southern California Special Education Task Force, members discussed how districts were reducing the number of SDCs (Special Day Classes)—-specialized classrooms for students with disabilities who need focused attention and customized learning—- in favor of general education classroom placements for Students with Disabilities. It’s important to note that …
On The Recent UN Report on Violence Against Children in Palestine
By Theo Meranze Recently, a team of experts commissioned by the UN published a report which confirmed what many who have been witnessing the Israeli genocide in Palestine have known for years: Israel is deliberately targeting children in Gaza. “The evidence shows that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by the Israeli security forces,” said Srinivasan Muralidhar, Chair …
Regarding The DOJ’s Recent Olmstead Opinion
By Theo Meranze On June 18th the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a controversial opinion regarding the historic Supreme Court decision Olmstead (1999). In Olmstead, the Supreme Court ruled that “states are required to provide community-based treatment for persons with mental disabilities” when three criteria are met: Integration in the community is appropriate The affected person does not …
Lawyers for Children Say: No to ICE raids, Genocide & War
HCR invites you to stand with us against war & genocide, ICE raids, and to advocate for justice for all working people and families because: We can’t protect children with disabilities when their community is under attack. May Day is this Friday. Historically, this date was chosen to honor the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago: a worker uprising in response …
Farm Worker’s Day Statement
By Theo Meranze The United Farm Workers Movement was one of the most important social movements in the history of our state. Born out of true grassroots organizing, farmworkers across California came together and struggled for their rights, forming what would become the United Farm Workers Union (UFW), taking part in historic strikes, and eventually winning incredible gains for farmworkers …
The Ninth Circuit Eliminates Certain Damages In ADA Title II Cases, But Points To An Alternative
by Theo Meranze and Robert D. Skeels In 2022, in the case Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller, the Supreme Court of the United States eliminated plaintiffs’ ability to recover emotional distress damages under antidiscrimination laws enacted pursuant to Congress’ Spending Clause power. Such antidiscrimination laws included the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The law has historically been used to …
Regarding Mirabelli v. Bonta and Trans Student’s Rights
By Ariel Harman-Holmes and Theo Meranze The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta is a significant and troubling expansion of “parental rights” doctrine, one which seeks to destroy transgender students’ autonomy, safety and privacy. It reinstates an injunction against California’s nondisclosure policy, a policy which sought to protect transgender students by ensuring that the way they presented and …
Student Free Speech & Walkouts
What Schools Cannot Do Punish you for off-campus speech. Suspend you for exercising free speech at school or for distributing flyers, petitions, wearing badges, or student press articles. Punish you more harshly because of your viewpoint or the political nature of your action. Suspend or expel you solely for walking out, or solely for truancy/tardiness/absence. Suspend for “disruption/defiance” if you’re …
A Year At A Glance
2025 was filled with perseverance and plenty of successes. As the year comes to a close we are proud to continue to embody our firm’s mission in the face of the challenges of our time: to honor those we represent as people, not just cases, and welcoming families and individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to people of …
Regarding The Recent Department of Education Cuts
By Theo MeranzeOver the weekend The Trump Administration fired another large segment of the Department of Education, telling them that their jobs would be terminated on December 9th. The employees that have been cut mainly work within the offices of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitative Services Administration — the two divisions that make up the Office of Special Education and …