Michael J. DeNiro Attorney At Law

Education Law

Education Law

I can help you take the right action:

•· If you are a student accused of cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty or facing disciplinary charges for violating your school Code of Student Conduct. (Please see the page "Academic Dishonesty" on this Website for more information on this topic.)

•· If you are a student facing academic probation or academic dismissal

•· If you are a staff member facing disciplinary charges

•· If you are a professor facing disciplinary charges

•· If you are a professor involved in a privilege and tenure dispute

•· If you are a professor or staff member wanting to negotiate a separation agreement or settlement agreement

•· If you are a professor or staff member seeking advice on which retirement options to choose [including those at the University of California (UC) who will receive retirement and health care benefits from the University of California Retirement System (UCRS), or CSU-ERFA members who will receive retirement and health care benefits from the California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS)]

•· If you are a teacher in a public school facing a hearing to determine whether there is cause not to reemploy you for the ensuing school year (aka a RIF hearing or a reduction in force hearing) [Education Code sections 1294, 44949, 44955]

•· If you are a teacher in a public school who has received a RIF notice or a reduction in force notice

•· If you are a teacher in a public school who has received a notice of intent to suspend or a notice of intent to dismiss [Education Code sections 44932, 44939]

•· If you are accused of sexual harassment

•· If you have suffered discrimination because of your race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation

•· If you are a whistleblower threatened with retaliation

•· If you are an out-of-state student attending or planning to attend university or college in California and need advice on how to qualify as a California resident for tuition fees

•· If you want to appeal a classification as a nonresident for tuition purposes at the University of California or the California State University. [Appealing a classification of nonresident for tuition purposes to the Principal Legal Analyst-Residence Matters at the University of California or to The California State University Office of General Counsel is a complicated process. When retained to do this on your behalf, I draft the appeal, obtain the necessary support documentation from you, research the relevant UC or CSU regulations as well as state law and California court cases, then submit the appeal on your behalf. I provide additional documentation and information that are requested by the person deciding the appeal, and follow up as necessary until the appeal is decided. All my work is covered by the initial fee you agree to before I begin my efforts on your behalf.]

•· If your child is facing expulsion or involuntary transfer or suspension from grade or middle or junior high or high school

•· If your child has special needs that aren't being met in school and would benefit from having an Individual Education Program (IEP) or an Individual Education Program (IEP), or being on a 504 plan

•· If your child is being bullied or cyber-bullied and you need a lawyer to make your child's school enforce the law outlawing such practices

•· If you are seeking an attorney or lawyer to help you recall local school board members

As an emeritus professor at the University of California and an attorney in private practice, I am keenly aware of the important role education plays in California. Institutions of learning enrich people's lives. They are, however, run by administrators who occasionally trample upon the rights of students and employees.

I represent students, faculty and staff in administrative and disciplinary hearings. In these situations, I have experience on both sides of the table. I have worked for institutions of higher learning and defended clients against them. I have also represented children threatened with expulsion from school, and those whose special educational needs that were not being met. My experience in these settings gives me a truly unique skill set that I will bring to bear on your problems or those of your child.

Act Immediately

If you have been summoned to an administrative or disciplinary hearing, time is of the essence. From the moment you receive notification that you are scheduled for a hearing or that an administration official wants to speak with you, you should enlist the services of an experienced and dedicated lawyer.

The law clearly defines the rights you have in the process. You are entitled to have your voice heard, and to be represented by a lawyer.

Unfortunately, public school administrators often tread over people's rights, and you might not realize it until it is too late. That is why it is important to seek the aid of an attorney early on in the process.

 I will work through the entire administrative process in search of the remedies you seek. If we have exhausted all administrative remedies without reaching a positive outcome, I will pursue remedies on your behalf in civil court.

Contact Me Today

I offer day, evening and weekend consultations by phone. To schedule a free initial consultation, call me at (805) 845-8223 or, if you prefer to email, click on this link Contact me.

Michael J. DeNiro, Attorney at Law

I will represent you if

•· you are a student or on the faculty or staff at any University of California campus (UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UCSF, UCSC, UC Davis, UCSD and UC Merced)

•· you are a student or on the faculty or staff at any CSU campus (CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Chico, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU East Bay, CSU Fresno, CSU Fullerton, Humboldt State University, CSU Long Beach, CSU Los Angeles, California Maritime Academy, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU Northridge, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CSU Sacramento, CSU San Bernardino, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU San Marcos, Sonoma State University, CSU Stanislaus)•· you are a student or on the faculty or staff at any community college in Los Angeles County (East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Harbor College, Los Angeles Mission College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Los Angeles Valley College, Pierce College, West Los Angeles College), Santa Barbara County (Allan Hancock College, Santa Barbara City College), Ventura County (Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College) or San Luis Obispo County (Cuesta College)

•· you are a student or on the faculty or staff at any private college or university in California, including but not limited to Abraham Lincoln University, Alliant International University, American Jewish University, Antioch University, Antioch University Santa Barbara , Bay Cities Bible Institute, California American University, California Baptist University, California Graduate Institute, California Institute of Technology, California International University, California Lutheran University, California Pacific University, California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Central State University, Chapman University, Christian Heritage College, City University Los Angeles, Claremont Colleges, Deep Springs College, Design Institute of San Diego, Fielding Graduate Institute, Frederick Taylor University, Glendale University College of Law, Golden State Baptist College, Holy Names University, Hsi Lai University, Humphreys College & School of Law, La Sierra University, Loma Linda University, Loyola Marymount University, Lutheran Bible Institute California, Mills College, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Mount St. Mary's College, Mt. Sierra College, Newschool of Architecture, Occidental College, Otis College of Art and Design, Pacific Coast University School of Law, Pacific Oaks College and Children's School, Pacific States University, Patten College, Pepperdine University, Professional School of Psychology, Pushington University, Ryokan College, Samuel Merritt College, San Joaquin College of Law, Santa Clara University, Soka University, South Baylo University, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Southwestern University School of Law, St. John's Seminary College, Stanford University, Summit Bible College, Thomas Aquinas College, University of Creation Sprituality, University of LaVerne , University of Redlands, University of San Diego, University of San Francisco, University of Santa Monica, University of Southern California (USC), Vanguard University of Southern California, Webster University, West Haven University, Western State University College of Law, Westmont College, Whittier College, William Howard Taft University, Woodbury University, or Yuin University

•· your child is a student at any public or private elementary or high school in Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County or San Luis Obispo County