For over 30 years, Lozano Smith has been recognized as a preeminent leader serving hundreds of K-12 school districts and county offices of education throughout California. The firm’s unmatched culture continues to foster innovative, tailored legal services in every area of education law, including: charter schools, labor and employment, facilities and business, litigation, public finance, special education, student services and technology. Lozano Smith’s eight offices throughout the state provide clients with local, yet statewide expertise – giving clients the accessibility they deserve.
RECENT NEWS
10/18/2018
Assembly Bill (AB) 2128, effective January 1, 2019, will allow evidence and testimony outside the current four-year time window when a certificated employee is accused of sexual misconduct with a student or minor....
Legislature Enhances Minor Witness Protections in Employee Discipline Proceedings - 10/18/2018
New Laws Increase State Control of Addiction Treatment Facilities, Require Student Athlete Opioid Warning - 10/17/2018
Court Restricts Ability to Seek Mandate Reimbursements - 10/17/2018
New Laws Restrict Law Enforcement Agencies’ Right to Withhold Recordings Relating to “Critical Incidents” - 10/17/2018
Upcoming Events
Let’s Talk – Lozano Smith’s Public Agency Podcast
Your News in New Ways. All the Time.
Time is of the essence, but we don’t always have it. That’s why our team has introduced a new medium for you to receive your legal updates. Lozano Smith’s podcast features trend-ing news in bite-size, conversational ways. Access these recordings in your car, in the of-fice or anywhere in between.
We invite you to check out all released episodes, including: free speech, inclusivity, social media, the Supreme Court’s Janus ruling, California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, school violence and the California Public Records Act.
Feature: Janus Decision
29th June 2018
A live webinar, presented by several experienced Lozano Smith labor attorneys, will break down key information about the Janusdecision and major legislative developments (SB 866).
Public Employer/Employee Relations Toolkit
28th June 2018
Includes answers to frequently asked questions, an implementation checklist, templates for communication, and more.
Next Steps and Considerations for Employers
27th June 2018
Lozano Smith's Client News Brief includes background details and considerations for public agency employers in light of the Supreme Court Decision.
ACSA and Lozano Smith’s Title IX Toolkit
The all-important topic of sexual harassment has taken center stage on a national level, and school districts are faced with exceedingly high obligations for addressing claims of sexual misconduct under Title IX. To help school district leaders address Title IX requirements and obligations, ACSA has partnered with Lozano Smith to develop a suite of related resources.
This phased series will consist of legal updates, checklists, webinars, videos and a statewide workshop series. Here’s a glimpse into the toolkit and overall Title IX series:
Checklists
- Title IX At-A-Glance
- Significant New Title IX Guidance on Handling Sexual Misconduct: What Schools Need to Know
- Administrator’s Guide to Processing and Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints of Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
Webinars
December 12 at 10 am
Sexual Misconduct Toward Students: An Employee’s Obligation to Identify and Respond to Title IX Issues
Lozano Smith’s Title IX Impact Team
Title IX has taken center stage on a number of fronts. Long before the national attention, Lozano Smith’s Title IX Impact Team was formed as a specialized group dedicated to the pressing issues faced by school districts. From athletics to sexual violence, this team advises, trains, and educates clients on the various components of Title IX – from prevention and mitigation to investigation and response.
Areas of Practice
The Title IX Impact Team draws from multiple practice groups and focuses to streamline advice and counsel. Areas in which the group provides advice and training include:
- Audit of athletic programs
- Audit of grievance procedures and policies
- Discipline of employees and students
- Sexual misconduct and harassment
- Student and employee protections
- Investigations
- Title IX Coordinator roles and responsibilities
- District and employee liability
- Interaction with law enforcement agencies
- Litigation