Overview

Claire Gerard-Wimby is an Associate in Lozano Smith’s Monterey Office. Ms. Gerard-Wimby’s practice focuses on assisting school districts with a variety of special education and student matters.

Experience

Claire Gerard-Wimby represents districts in IEP meetings, in settlement negotiations both before and after complaints have been filed, and in mediations during due process proceedings. Her experience includes drafting prior written notices, prehearing conference statements, and motions, as well as responses to California Department of Education requests for information and Office of Administrative Hearings due process complaints. Ms. Gerard-Wimby regularly conducts detailed legal research to advise districts on nuanced areas of special education law.

In addition to her special education practice, Ms. Gerard-Wimby represents school districts in a broad range of student-related matters. Her work includes advising districts on student discipline, pupil records, and constitutional issues such as student speech and due process rights. She assists districts in navigating sensitive student concerns while supporting compliance with state and federal law.

Education

Ms. Gerard-Wimby earned her Juris Doctor from the Monterey College of Law where she was awarded the MCL Board of Trustees Scholarship three years in a row. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication Pre-Law from Cal State Monterey Bay.