Overview

Brenda E. Arzate is an Associate in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek Office. Ms. Arzate represents clients through a wide-variety of issues in the students and special education aspects of education law.

Experience

Ms. Arzate assists numerous clients through all aspects of Special Education matters, and frequently prepares pleadings and motions for the Office of Administrative Hearings. She is skilled at supporting clients through the IEP process, including review, assessment, attending IEP meetings, and drafting prior written notices. She represents school districts at mediation and prepares settlement agreements. She has guided clients through complex complaints, including discrimination complaints and complaints that arise with the California Department of Education. She advises districts on issues related to the IDEA, student records and student discipline. She works to proactively develop preventive practices to help avoid costly disputes, including reviewing current policies, practices, and procedures for systemic issues and legal compliance.

Prior to joining the law firm as an attorney, Ms. Arzate was the legal division manager for the San Francisco Unified School District, where she gained valuable experience managing programs, operational activities, and projects of the Legal Department, Labor Relations Department, and the Office of Equity. She understands the intricacies of how school districts operate, and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Education

Ms. Arzate received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco, School of Law, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Management, from the University of San Francisco. While in law school, Ms. Arzate was selected as a Legal Extern in General Student Matters and Special Education for the San Francisco Unified School District. She also participated in an International Summer Externship Program focused on International Human Rights Law, and completed an intensive advocacy program where she learned litigation and trial techniques and strategies. Ms. Arzate has received certification through ATIXA as a participant in Level 1 and Level 3 ATIXA Civil Rights Investigator Trainings.

Court of Appeal Issues Opinion in School Districts' Favor in Latest Round of P.E. Minutes Litigation

By: Sloan Simmons, Brenda Arzate- 04/20/2020

California Passes New Law To Increase Protection And Safety Of Special Education Students In Nonpublic Schools

By: Marcy Gutierrez, Brenda Arzate- 01/03/2020

New OCR Case Processing Manual - Significant Changes For Public School Civil Rights Enforcement

By: Brenda Arzate, Sloan Simmons- 01/23/2019