What can I solve for you?

I am an attorney with 14 years of legal experience. I practiced special education and disability rights for several years at Disability Rights Legal Center and later, Disability Rights California. I have experience in Dependency Law as well as workers’ compensation.

What's it like to work with me?

Working with me, you can expect a consistent and thoughtful partner who values collaboration and clear communication. I prioritize active listening to understand your needs and develop strategic solutions. My approach is both affable and dedicated, ensuring you feel supported and well-represented throughout the legal process.

Overview

Heather Benton is a member of the Student Services and Special Education practice group. She comes from a family of educators and has been committed to education issues since she volunteered in her aunt’s classroom as a teen. Prior to attending law school, she recruited teachers with LAUSD prior to going to law school and then focused her legal education on juvenile justice issues. She was a student lawyer in the Juvenile Justice clinic.

After passing the bar on the first try, Heather took a position with Children’s Law Center of California where she represented youth in dependency court and tried significant number of cases. Her focus was on mental health and education issues. This experience gives Heather a unique ability to understand special education from both sides of the law, allowing her to anticipate the opposing side’s position and arguments before they’re made.

Heather also practiced at Disability Rights Legal Center and Disability Rights California where she focused on Special Education cases. Heather has attended many IEP meetings and advocated from the students’ perspective. This has given Heather a unique opportunity to understand special education from both sides of the law. This enables Heather to anticipate the other side’s position and arguments before they make them.

Heather practices primarily in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. She is adept at navigating the education system and developing collaboration around issues. Heather successfully collaborated with community members, parent groups, and school officials. She has experience working on cases involving developmental and intellectual disabilities such as Autism and Down Syndrome. Heather also has experience with children with significant emotional and behavioral challenges and has a clear understanding of California’s rules and requirements regarding disciplinary action. She handled Manifestation Determination Reviews and disciplinary cases and conducted investigations into the appropriateness of disciplinary responses in the classroom. Heather is also familiar with Fourteenth Amendment and U.S. Code 1983 claims.

Experience Highlights

Publications

ADHD in the age of COVID-19, State Compensation Insurance Fund & California Lawyers Association

After School

Recently, I was reacquainted with doing art.  I love painting and sold my first painting a couple of years ago.  I enjoy crafting and creating have made a series of Christian meditation cards.  I love swimming, traveling, and reading.  I like to think of myself as a mermaid despite my average swimming skills.  But floating in the ocean up to my neck in Hawaii is my happy place.  I enjoy traveling when I can and recently took a trip to Washington, DC, where I enjoyed the cherry blossoms and the Museum of the Bible.  Finally, when I’m not reading legal documents, I am usually reading a novel.

Education

  • The George Washington University Law School (J.D., Certificate in Dispute Resolution)
  • California State University, Long Beach (B.A., Psychology)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • California

Related Services

Related Clients