Diana Maltz graduated from the USC Gould School of Law in May 2018. During her time at USC, she conducted research regarding civil commitment and conservatorship of developmentally disabled adults as a 2017-2018 Saks Institute Scholar. She also participated in the Mediation Clinic from August 2016 until May 2018 and served as Vice President of the Student Bar Association during …
Alexander Rodriguez joins Law Offices of Hirji and Chau, LLP as one of our new Associate Litigation Attorneys
Alex Rodriguez is a graduate of Loyola Law School and was admitted to practice law in California in 2018. The importance of education was instilled in Alex at a young age by his parents who were educators, and inspired Alex to pursue and gain experience as a classroom teacher. Prior to Law School, Alex obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell …
CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR THIS FAMILY AFTER A TWO-YEAR FIGHT WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER
The Law Offices of Hirji & Chau had a recent victory in regional center eligibility! On December 17, 2018, the Office of Administrative hearings found in favor of our client, a 54-year-old man with Autism and Intellectual Disability who was previously found ineligible for services from the Inland Regional Center (“IRC”). Daniel* was diagnosed with Autism and Aphasia at the …
Adulthood Transition: An Overview
By Diana Maltz, Esq What is adulthood transition?Adulthood transition is a process by which the school district prepares a student in special education for life after high school. If your child has an IEP and is 16 years old, the District must prepare an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP). When should transition planning begin?Transition planning can begin when your child is …
Jenny Chau, Partner to Present at the National Business Institute (NBI) Seminar on Special Education Law: The Ultimate Guide
On Friday, November 16, 2018, Jenny will speak about how to address Bullying and Harassment of Students with Special Needs To Learn More, Please visit: Special Education Law: The Ultimate Guide
The IEP: From the Document to the Classroom
JOIN ATTORNEY BONNIE YATES, this Sunday, September 16 • 4:00 – 6:00 PM Bonnie Yates, Esq. will lead attendees through a discussion on what is possible to accomplish in the IEP process, the steps you can take to ensure that your child’s IEP is implemented, and that the agreed upon accommodations are in place and being utilized in the classroom. Ms. …
Free Speech Rights – Student Walkouts and School Discipline UPDATE
Law Offices of Hirji & Chau support the right of students to protest. In anticipation of the April 20 school walkouts in support of gun control, we are providing free legal advice to any student or parent that wants to know what their rights are before and/or after the walkout. Call us to schedule a time to speak with an attorney. …
School District Is Found Responsible for NPS’s Use of Restraints on a Nonverbal Autistic Child
By Briana Banayan and Rosa K. Hirji On March 23, 2018 the California Office of Administrative Hearings found in favor of our client, a student who suffered tremendously at the hands of the Hermosa Beach City School District (“Hermosa”) and Switzer Learning Center, a nonpublic school (“Switzer NPS”). See the full decision here. Zack[1] has autism, seizures, and limited …
New Law Protects Charter Schools Students In Admission and Discipline
By Diana Maltz, Law Clerk and Rosa K. Hirji Charter schools have earned a reputation for discouraging admissions of students with disabilities or pushing out students who may have behavioral issues or special needs. In 2016, the ACLU of Southern California released a report on How Some California Charter Schools Illegally Restrict Enrollment. Starting January 1, 2018, a new law …
Court of Appeal Reverses Teacher’s Restraining Order Against Parents of Disabled Child
CRITICISING A TEACHER IN THE PALMDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT RESULTED IN RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST LOCAL PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILD THE COURT OF APPEAL REVERSED On February 2, 2018, the Antelope Valley Superior Court reversed its own three year restraining order sought by a teacher from the Palmdale School District against parents of a disabled child. Amber Allington, a third grade teacher, claimed that …