Special Education Litigation Attorney

Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance benefits

401(k) plan with profit-sharing contributions

Annual billable hour bonuses

Job summary

A law firm in California is seeking a Special Education Litigation Attorney to represent clients in educational disputes, particularly in due process hearings. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor and be a member of the California Bar, with strong skills in legal writing, research, and advocacy. This role emphasizes working with school districts and navigating the complexities of special education law. Candidates with a background in education law will be preferred, but it is not a strict requirement.

Qualifications

• 4-7 years of experience in litigation, administrative law, education law, or civil rights law.
• Strong understanding of California Statutes.
• Experience handling administrative hearings or litigation matters.
• 4-7 years of experience in litigation, administrative law, education law, or civil rights law.
• Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
• Special Education background preferred, but not required.
• Administrative hearing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience taking arbitrations, administrative agency cases.
• Experience handling administrative hearings or litigation matters.
• Background representing school districts, public agencies, or families in education disputes preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in special education due process hearings, mediations, and administrative proceedings.
• Draft and argue motions, briefs, and appeals in administrative tribunals and state/federal courts.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on emerging special education issues.
• Participate in resolution sessions, mediations, and settlement negotiations

Skills

Legal writing

Research skills

Oral advocacy

Advocacy

Negotiation skills

Education

Jurisd Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Member of the State Bar of California

Job description

Position: Special Education Litigation Attorney

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Id: 615

# of Openings: 1

About F3 Law

At F3 Law, we believe that a culture of inclusion and belonging, one of embracing and respecting each other's differences, strengthens our ability to serve our clients and communities. We are committed to fostering a workplace where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and appreciated. By bringing together different perspectives and lived experiences, we create better solutions and a more dynamic, thoughtful, and effective team.

Summary

F3 Law provides legal support to the public schools that serve our children and communities. We have an opening for a Special Education Litigation Attorney to join our firm. The incumbent would assist clients in the individualized education program (IEP) process, present workshops, review and revise policies and procedures, and respond to state and federal compliance complaints and administrative due process hearings outside of the adversarial context of traditional litigation. This person would represent school districts or educational institutions in “due process” hearings related to special education services. This role focuses on disputes arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related federal and state regulations. The attorney will handle due process hearings and appeals.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in special education due process hearings, mediations, and administrative proceedings
• Draft and argue motions, briefs, and appeals in administrative tribunals and state/federal courts
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on emerging special education issues and regulatory changes
• Participate in resolution sessions, mediations, and settlement negotiations

Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Candidates must be a member of the State Bar of California
• Strong understanding of California statutes
• 4-7 years of experience in litigation, administrative law, education law, or civil rights law
• Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills
• Special Education background preferred, but not required
• Administrative hearing experience strongly preferred
• Experience taking arbitrations, administrative agency cases
• Experience handling administrative hearings or litigation matters
• Background representing school districts, public agencies, or families in education disputes preferred but not required
• Familiarity with state education agency procedures and administrative tribunals
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory frameworks
• Strong advocacy and negotiation skills in sensitive, high‑stakes matters
• Excellent interpersonal skills when working with families, educators, and administrators
• High attention to detail and ability to manage emotionally charged cases
• Sound judgment and client‑focused problem solving

Compensation, Benefits & Perks

Benefits: F3 Law offers a supportive and intellectually engaging work environment, reasonable billable hours, annual billable hour bonuses, comprehensive health insurance benefits, and a 401(k) plan with profit‑sharing contributions.

F3 Law is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, various ability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law. F3 Law hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

F3 Law seeks to build a culturally diverse staff where differences are valued and respected. Women, minorities, individuals with various abilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ and intersectional individuals are encouraged to apply.