M. Alejandra León counsels school districts, county offices of education and special education local plan areas on an array of special education, student-related and employment issues. They include matters that involve the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and myriad related California laws and rules in this complex, ever-evolving legal arena.

Bringing an ability to ask the right questions, get people to open up, and gather facts, Alejandra also performs investigations when allegations manifest regarding discrimination and other conduct that involve students or staff. She also counsels clients on compliance with public meeting regulations.

While she enjoys tackling the intellectual complexities of education law, Alejandra most likes interacting with clients, and building relationships with them. She monitors the changing regulations and works diligently to ensure her clients stay in compliance and avoid litigation. When conflicts do arise, Alejandra steers clients through the dispute, works to attain the best possible resolution, and takes away as much as she and the client can so they can put into place measures to avoid future problems. Alejandra approaches such disagreements from a practical standpoint, always considering the long-term, relational consequences on families and school districts.

By earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare, Alejandra became fully aware of the interconnected nature of the various government assistance programs, which require cooperation from multiple agencies. This understanding enhances her ability to serve clients today. “The public education system,” she says, “has many overlapping circles and many different people—students, families, employees, colleagues and others—so having a macro perspective helps us best interact with each other.”

Alejandra earned a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she was the recipient of the Witkin Award for Excellence in her Special Education Law Seminar.