Top Education Lawyers in Sherman Oaks | 4 available

14041 Hartsook St , Sherman Oaks , California 91423

Practice Areas: Education

My interest in Special Education law came about when my son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two years old. I spent the next several years as his personal advocate and attorney fighting to make sure that he received the services he needed. This experience made me realize that helping other children with disabilities get the services they needed was the best possible use of my law degree.. I strongly believe in access to justice for all children and offer low cost and no cost representation for clients who qualify.. On most weekends, I can be found coaching soccer. I’ve been a youth soccer coach for over a decade and have had the honor of coaching three different all-star teams with both of my daughters.. I am a proud member of COPAA.

Firm: Vanaman German LLP

14001 Ventura Boulevard , Sherman Oaks , California 91423

Practice Areas: Education

My practice is devoted to advancing the educational rights of students with disabilities throughout California.  My primary areas of focus are special education due process and civil rights matters.  I have also won tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for students who have been harmed or abused while on campus.

Firm: Law Offices of Henry Tovmassian

14001 Ventura Blvd. , Sherman Oaks , California 91423

Practice Areas: Education

Mr. Tovmassian graduated from New York University in New York, New York, in 1985, with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He then moved to Los Angeles, California to attend law school at the University of California at Los Angeles ("UCLA") between 1985 and 1988, when he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. While at UCLA, he was a member of the Moot Court Honors Society. He was admitted to the California Bar in June of 1989.. Immediately following graduation from UCLA, Mr. Tovmassian joined the law firm of Wilner, Klein, Siegel and Kehr in Beverly Hills, California, where he practiced civil litigation in state and federal courts. In 1993, he left that firm to join former Wilner partners George D. Crook and Robert L. Kehr in a firm which later became known as Kehr, Crook, Tovmassian & Fox. While there, Mr. Tovmassian continued to practice civil litigation in state and federal courts, and was involved with Mr. Crook in training and supervising the younger attorneys of the firm. He also handled the firm’s civil rights practice, which included employment and discrimination claims in state and federal court. Mr. Tovmassian left Kehr, Crook in May 1998 to start his own firm. Since 2000, his special education practice has grown considerably and presently takes up approximately 80% of his time.. Mr. Tovmassian has represented hundreds of special education students and their families in due process cases filed pursuant to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) in which the involved school districts have settled his clients’ claims very favorably. In addition, he has tried several IDEA due process proceedings to completion and prevailed. He has also successfully represented many special education students and their families in litigation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

14001 Ventura Blvd , Sherman Oaks , California 91423

Practice Areas: Education

Sophia Bliziotis is a seasoned disability rights attorney. During the 15 years since she joined Vanaman German LLP, she has focused exclusively on advocating for the educational and civil rights of individuals with disabilities and their families. She has extensive experience helping families navigate conflicts with school districts and regional centers and has obtained consistently excellent results in due process and fair hearings. Sophia’s singular focus on working for people with disabilities and raising expectations for their access to and participation in all parts of our society has infused her practice of law with unique purpose and resolve.. Sophia is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a degree in English. While at Berkeley, she was a co-recipient of the President’s Undergraduate Fellowship, and with those funds she co-produced and directed a documentary about the homeless women of San Francisco reflecting her long-standing interest in social justice issues.. While living in Australia, Sophia decided to become an attorney. She began her legal studies at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. Upon her return to the United States, she received her J.D. from Southwestern Law School.. Her interest in social justice issues led her to the practice of special education/disabilities law. Sophia considers it a privilege to represent parents during the challenging process of obtaining what their child needs from either school districts or Regional Centers.. Sophia is a frequent presenter at continuing education programs for attorneys and educators on the topic of special education.. She wakes up each day grateful to have work that is meaningful and to work at Vanaman German LLP, with a group of compassionate, experienced, and highly effective colleagues.. Sophia is married to cinematographer Bruce Ready and they have one son, Luke.