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Office of the County Counsel
Office of the County Counsel

Education Law Team

The Education Law team counsels the Santa Clara County Office of Education and certain local school districts on various legal issues to support local educational agencies in ensuring legal compliance, preserving resources, and promoting equitable treatment of students, staff, and families.  Education Law attorneys assist these local educational agencies in addressing a wide array of legal issues, including student rights and responsibilities, governance, charter school authorization, and policy projects.  Education law attorneys also represent local educational agencies in litigation related to these areas.  Our attorneys research and analyze many areas of law, conduct trainings, craft policies, guide agencies through student discipline proceedings, investigate Uniform Complaint Procedures complaints, respond to civil rights complaints, advise on board governance issues, analyze proposed data sharing and education record confidentiality, and assist local agencies in addressing significant and challenging issues.

Attorneys

headshot of michaela lewis, black suit, red glasses

Michaela Lozano Lewis

Assistant County Counsel

Michaela Lozano Lewis oversees the Office’s Human Services Team, Child and Family Protection Team, and Education Law Team. She also oversees the Office’s paralegal staff at the Julian Street Office and legal support staff at the Hedding Street Office.

Read Michaela's bio
Man in black suit with red tie

Rob Coelho

Assistant County Counsel

Rob Coelho oversees the Office’s Labor and Employment Team and Equal Opportunity and Employment Investigations Team. He also oversees the Office’s paralegal staff at the Hedding Street Office.

Read Rob's bio
headshot of marcelo quinones, blue suit, purple tie

Marcelo Quinones

Lead Deputy County Counsel

Marcelo Quinones is the Lead of the Education Law Team, advising the Santa Clara County Office of Education and certain local school districts on various legal issues. He also represents the County in affirmative litigation matters.

Read Marcelo's bio

James K. Ayden

Deputy County Counsel

James Ayden advises and represents the County and education law clients in labor and employment matters and equal opportunity and employment investigations.

Read James' bio
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Mary Hanna-Weir

Lead Deputy County Counsel

Mary Hanna-Weir leads the Legislative Affairs team providing legal advice, guidance, and representation on issues relating to state and federal legislative efforts for the County.

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Shana Heller

Deputy County Counsel

Shana Heller advises the Office of Diversion and Reentry Services and the Office of the District Attorney. She also advises the Santa Clara County Office of Education and certain local school districts on various legal issues.

Read Shana's bio
headshot of harjit kaur with scarf and black shirt

Harjit Kaur

Deputy County Counsel

Harjit Kaur advises the Santa Clara County Office of Education and certain local school districts on various legal issues.

Read Harjit's bio
headshot of lauren lystrup, brown hair white collared shirt, coat

Lauren M. Lystrup

Deputy County Counsel

Lauren Lystrup advises and represents the County and education law clients in labor and employment matters and equal opportunity and employment investigations.

Read Lauren's bio
headshot of ravi rajendra, white shirt, purple tie, glasses

Ravi Rajendra

Deputy County Counsel

Ravi Rajendra advises the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement, the Office of Immigrant Relations, the Juvenile Justice Commission, and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County. He also advises certain local school districts on various legal issues and represents the County in affirmative litigation matters.

Read Ravi's bio

Mona Williams

Lead Deputy County Counsel

Mona Williams is the Lead of the Public Safety and Justice Team and advises the Probation Department. She also advises certain local school districts on various legal issues.

Read Mona's bio