Overview

Rebal R. Halabi-Boutros is an Associate in Lozano Smith's Sacramento office. Her legal practice is primarily focused on special education and student matters.

Experience

Ms. Halabi-Boutros has experience advising school district clients on a wide range of special education and student matters. She represents clients in special education due process proceedings, including attending due process hearings and preparing motions to dismiss, notices of insufficiency, and other related filings, and has successfully resolved matters through mediation and settlement agreements. She also assists clients throughout the dispute resolution process by attending resolution sessions and IEP meetings, conducting witness preparation, reviewing IEPs and providing recommendations, and delivering related training.

In addition to her due process work, Ms. Halabi-Boutros provides day-to-day advice and counsel on special education compliance and student-related issues, including student discipline, student records requests, California Public Records Act requests, subpoenas, California Department of Education complaints, and Office for Civil Rights complaints. She also assists clients with revising board policies, reviewing student-related forms, and supporting investigations.

Education

Ms. Halabi-Boutros earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. During law school, she focused on Trial & Appellate Advocacy, and was a member of the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court, President of Disability Alliance Law Student Association, Client Counseling Competition Team, Phi Alpha Delta, and International Law Society. She also served as co-chair of the Student Bar Association and Treasurer of the Criminal Law Society. Ms. Halabi-Boutros earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.

California Makes Slight Adjustments to Laws Regarding Truancy, Expulsion, and School Holidays

By: Sarah Kaatz, Rebal Halabi-Boutros- 12/11/2025

Important Updates Regarding Independent Study Programs

By: Ruth Mendyk, Rebal Halabi-Boutros- 08/26/2024

New Legislation Places Limits on Termination of Superintendents Without Cause

By: Wiley Driskill, Rebal Halabi-Boutros- 12/18/2023

E99 New Laws Impacting Students Heading into 2026

By: Ruth Mendyk, Rebal Halabi-Boutros- 12/15/2025

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Student Practice Group Co-Chair Ruth Mendyk and student practitioner Rebal Halabi-Boutros for the year’s annual student legislation round-up.  Ruth and Rebal discuss the most significant bills passed by the close of this year’s legislative session and their impacts going into 2026.