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Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Melanie Larzul

Partner

Oakland
mlarzul@f3law.com
D 510.550.8232
Melanie Larzul

What can I solve for you?

It’s very satisfying to work with clients on day-to-day issues to spot new and potential problems in the student and special education arenas. We choose practical, child-centered solutions that help prevent complications and litigation down the road.

What's it like to work with me?

Information gathering is an essential part of any law practice, and I always listen carefully and ask a lot of questions before I begin to formulate my responses. My natural creativity enables me to craft effective and often innovative solutions that are acceptable to the other side while meeting my clients’ needs and furthering their best interests.

Top Issues in My Practice

  • #sexualharassment
  • #studentdiscipline
  • #dueprocesshearings
  • #selpas
  • #iep
  • #officeforcivilrightsinvestigations
  • #specialeducation

“I am honored to support our clients in fulfilling the most important of missions – that of preparing today’s youth to help bring about a better tomorrow.”

Overview

Skillfully guiding Northern California school districts, county offices of education, and special education local plan areas (SELPAs), Melanie Larzul keeps clients compliant in all aspects of special education law.  In addition,  Melanie helps them prevent and resolve a wide array of general student matters, from student discipline challenges and Title IX sexual harassment claims to issues involving student records, enrollment, and Section 504.

Melanie represents clients in due process and IEP meetings and in appearances before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the California Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights. Although she works with clients to find many kinds of discipline alternatives, if expulsion is necessary, she provides adept and sensitive counsel in these proceedings. Melanie has also handled many issues relating to foster and homeless youth.

With a calm, easygoing style and ability to forge strong personal connections, Melanie engenders a great deal of trust and comfort in her clients. As a clear and persuasive writer and speaker, she draws on her excellent communication skills to advocate effectively for administrators and others in the education realm. Melanie’s experience as an English teaching assistant in France gave her a global perspective and a strong competency in understanding and relating to people from many different cultures and communities.

The managing partner in the firm’s Oakland office, Melanie has presented at numerous conferences, such as the Association of California School Administrators and the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance. She rigorously stays abreast of current developments and regularly participates in professional education and development events and co-authored a publication on serving preschool-age children with disabilities.

Melanie grew up in a family of educators and always felt a passion for the vocation. When she discovered that area’s intersection with law, she realized the combination was the perfect match for her. While in law school, Melanie gained valuable experience in the legal aspects of special education working at her law school’s special education clinic. She also handled a variety of labor and employment issues as an intern with San Diego Unified School District’s Legal Services Office.

Melanie regards it as a great honor to support clients in fulfilling the most important of missions—preparing today’s youth to help bring about a better tomorrow.

Experience Highlights

  • Former English teaching assistant in France

Externships

  • Externed for the Honorable Napoleon A. Jones Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California

Internships

  • Gained valuable experience in the legal aspects of special education working as a summer intern at the firm’s Oakland office and at her law school’s special education clinic
  • Handled a variety of labor and employment issues as an intern with San Diego Unified School District’s Legal Services Office

Recognition

  • Order of the Coif

After School

As well as spending time with my family, I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time in nature, and cooking.  An avid Francophone, I follow French culture and politics, and am always seeking out TV shows, movies, and reading material in French.

Education

  • University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., Political Science and French, cum laude)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • California

Related Services

  • Title IX
  • Special Education
  • Student Rights & Discipline

Related Clients

  • Public Education K-12

Presentations

  • Frequent presenter at Association of California School Administrators
  • California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance

Publications

  • Co-authored a publication on serving preschool-age children with disabilities

Languages

  • French
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