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Report On ICE In Schools

By Theo Meranze On January 21st the Department of Homeland Security announced a new policy that allows ICE to carry out immigration related arrests and searches in what were previously off-limits “sensitive locations”, such as schools and churches. This is incredibly concerning. Here is a link to an in-depth summary of the federal situation in regards to student’s and district’s …

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Information For LGBTQ + Students Under Trump

By Theo Meranze Donald Trump has explicitly made it his agenda to demonize and target LGBTQ + people, specifically transgender people, and sadly students and children are no exception.  The president has sent out multiple executive orders declaring his administration’s intent to attack what he has labelled “gender ideology extremism” in schools. For example, this executive order, titled “Ending Radical …

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Regarding Donald Trump’s Funding Freeze And its Effect on Education

By Theo Meranze Donald Trump’s executive orders, directives, and general threats of defunding have caused an understandable amount of terror in the world of education. Most recently, as we’re sure you’ve heard, his directive to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding, grants, and loans has left many schools and programs for our children concerned that they may be stripped …

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Resources For Wildfire Relief For Families With Children With Disabilities 

We hope that this message finds you and your families safe. At this time, we want to express our sympathies to those directly and indirectly affected by the wildfires, and acknowledge that this unprecedented event will  have the greatest impact on children, and children with disabilities and their families. We remain committed to being available to you to support your …

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Law Offices of Hirji & Chau welcomes California’s adoption of the term “emotional disability” to replace the previously used term

By Robert D. Skeels, Senior Attorney On July 18, 2024, the Governor of California signed AB 2173—a bill adding Section 97 to the Education Code. The new law, authored by Assemblyperson Dawn Addis—a former special education teacher—takes effect January 1, 2025. The new law allows educators and families to use the term “emotional disability” to be used where “emotional disturbance” …

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How Does a Child With Autism End Up In Handcuffs?

By Theo Meranze It’s October of 2019, and in a Glendale Unified School District elementary school bathroom there’s an 8 year old girl in handcuffs. She is screaming. Her parents were unaware. The girl’s school principal, school psychologist and her two aides sit outside watching the police. They’re the ones who called the cops, and they aren’t doing anything to …

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LOHC WELCOMES NEW PARTNER!

February 2, 2024: The Law Offices of Hirji & Chau, LLP., is pleased to announce that Alex Rodriguez has become a partner of the firm. Mr. Rodriguez’s practice includes special education, civil rights, and personal injury matters on behalf of children, youth and adults with disabilities. He focuses on public entity negligence, representing youth who are bullied, enforcing due process rights of students, …

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LOHC is Thrilled to Welcome Elizabeth Gillett!

It is our pleasure to introduce our newest team member, Elizabeth Gillett. Elizabeth has recently earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. She is a valuable contribution to the team given her extensive background as an educator working with special education students of all ages. She is excited to work alongside students and families advocating for them in …

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California Department of Education finds Los Angeles Unified School District out of Compliance with Special Education Law

On June 7, 2021 the California Department of Education (“CDE”) ruled on a complaint filed by Disability Rights California (“DRC”) that alleged that Los Angeles Unified School District (“LAUSD”) failed to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) during the COVID-19 pandemic. CDE found, among other things, that LAUSD was not conducting special education assessments or holding individualized …

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LAUSD Registration Deadline for Online Option is July 30, 2021

Los Angeles Unified School District (“LAUSD”) is scheduled to open schools for in person learning this fall. However, an online option will be available for families with medical, social-emotional, or other concerns, as well as students receiving special education. Students will receive daily live online instruction for part of the day and complete independent work during the remaining time. The …