Blueprints to Special Education (How to build effective school services)

David is the lead counsel of a Western Washington special education law firm, and an attorney with over 10 years of experience fighting for the educational and civil rights of people with disabilities. In private practice he has helped clients obtain access to new services, private school placements, and compensatory education. Prior to practice in Washington, he worked for the non-profit advocacy organization Disability Rights California, practicing state level legal representation and advocacy including enforcement of educational rights violations, helping review and draft legislation, and providing training to disability advocacy groups.

David is motivated to defend the right of every family and student to access a fair and appropriate education. This work has included oversight and accountability for schools that leave students behind and for government agencies that fail to provide schools with the resources to teach students who qualify for special education.
David has helped students who have been left years behind grade level obtain the support needed to access an equal education. This support includes advocacy on behalf of students to change their classroom and environment and, when needed, litigation to force compliance with the law and changes to District policies. 

Time spent in the classroom without appropriate support can never be fully made up, and each student deserves to be seen as an individual and given access to the tools they need to succeed in school. Knowing what rights and options are available is crucial for every student and their family, but this must be coupled with the ability to enforce those rights in the face of ignorance, opposition or bureaucratic inertia. Sharing and exercising the tools of justice that protect students' rights, builds a fairer system for all.