Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
103 Client Reviews
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David Ward German
also known as David W. German
Virtual Consultation Available
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About David
Biography
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.
Fighting for the rights of students with disabilities throughout California.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Education
70%
18 years
Civil Rights
15%
18 years
Personal Injury
15%
18 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2024 2023 2022
...
+
4
Licenses
Licensed in California for 18 years
State: California
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find David online.
David Ward German's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 92 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A Lifeline for Our Daughter’s Education
David helped move our daughter’s education forward at a critical time. We are deeply grateful for his professional expertise and his compassionate approach. He understood that every day of delay affected not only her future but also her sense of self. Thanks to his dedication and guidance, he made a ...
Posted by Kelley | October 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Attorney
I cannot recommend David German and the team at Vanaman German LLP highly enough. David and his staff were incredibly responsive and effective, even under a tight timeline. Despite my daily requests for updates and clarifications, they were always patient, kind, and supportive. Their calm professiona...
Posted by Roger | July 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Very happy with case result
David German did an outstanding job representing our family. The process was highly collaborative, and his office was always fast & responsive over the several months of the legal process. He's not only a smart & effective attorney, he's also a genuinely kind, patient & pleasant person to deal with. ...
Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional Education Attorney
David German is an exceptional educational attorney. He assisted us in securing an IEP for our child after a year of residential treatment, as well as obtaining pre-IEP reimbursement and post-IEP benefits which were significant. When facing the financial strain of teen mental health and ability to ac...
Posted by Alexandra | January 24, 2024 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Phenomenal experience with a great lawyer
In a time of need, David German was quick to respond. He was kind and attentive and his experience and wisdom were invaluable. We were beyond satisfied with our results and highly recommend him to other families.
David Ward German's Lawyer Endorsements
"David is a consummate legal expert in the often complicated morass of Education Law. Our firm never hesitates to refer him a case in this area and he has achieved incredible results for our mutual clients."
"David German is one of the top education lawyers in the country. We worked together on a couple of matters, and I've seen firsthand how school districts, education attorneys, and even judges have tremendous respect for David. His reputation is well-earned. He does everything well. He cares for his clients, and they care for him. He is an outstanding strategic thinker, he is well-connected, he litigates cases well, he examines witnesses well, and he negotiates well, among other things. If my children needed an advocate, I would call David first. He is the best in the field, and it won't take long for you to see why."
"David German has a remarkably nimble and creative legal mind along with exemplary legal skills in all areas of practice. His clients are able to entrust him with their child's educational needs due to his to fierce advocacy on their behalf and his ability to obtain outstanding results for their child. David has become a leader in this area of law because of his fierce commitment to student civil rights coupled with his well honed legal skills. Lastly, as a colleague he is generous with his willingness to help analyze a case. His reasoning and insights are consistently helpful."
"I first met David German while we were students at USC Law School. I'm fortunate to have had many opportunities to volunteer alongside him on several occasions. He is not only one of the smartest people I know, but is also one of the most caring, kind and trustworthy people I know. I have 100% faith in him, and if I needed a lawyer for myself or my family, I wouldn't hesitate to hire David."
"I endorse David. He is very knowledgeable and works tenaciously for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. David works diligently to represent his clients effectively and in a manner that suits each of his clients' unique personality and needs. This level of conscientiousness and strategic flexibility sets him apart and makes him an attorney I enjoy collaborating with."
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Experience
Honors
2023
Top 100 Verdicts in America 2022, National Law Journal - Top 100 Verdicts in America, 2022
2023
Top Verdict - 13th Biggest Verdict in California, Top Verdict - 13th Biggest Verdict in California [2022]
2020
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
Student of the Year Award, University of Southern California Public Interest Law Foundation
2006
Edward and Eleanor Shattuck Award, University of Southern California Law School
Work Experience
2020 - Present
Managing Partner, Vanaman German LLP
2015 - Present
Partner, Newman Aaronson Vanaman
2015 - 2016
Lecturer in Law, Special Education Clinic, UCLA School of Law
2012 - 2015
Associate, Newman Aaronson Vanaman
2006 - 2007
Pro Se Habeas Clerk, Central District Of California, Los Angeles, California
2005 - 2005
Judicial Extern to Judge Margaret Morrow, Central District Of California, Los Angeles, California
2004 - 2004
Judicial Extern to Judge Stephen Reinhardt, Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals
Associations
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Sample of Legal Cases
M.C. v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et. al, CACD Case No.: 2:20-cv-09127-CBM-E
Reversal of Administrative Decision on All Issues
D.R. v. Redondo Beach Unified School District, 56 F.4th 636 (9th Cir. 2022)
Prevailed on core legal issue.
C.W. et al., v. Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
Jury awarded $45,000,000.00 in damages.
E.E., v. State of California, NDCA case no. . 21-cv-07585-SI
Statewide Preliminary Injunction Granted
Student v. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Court ordered remedy of 520 hours of assessment, training, and consultation by the staff at the Pivotal Response Training program of The University of California, Santa Barbara.
Student v. Goleta Union School District
Prevailed. Additional inclusion support ordered within general education.
Student v. East Whittier City School District
Prevailed. Full inclusion program ordered.
Education
2009
University of Southern California
PhD - Doctorate
2006
USC Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
Univ of Pennsylvania
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2022
Invited Speaker
Addressing Learning Loss Through the IEP Process
2018
IEPs and 504 Plans: A Legal Compliance Guide
504 Plan Reviews and Reevaluations: Legal Best Practices
2018
IEPs and 504 Plans: A Legal Compliance Guide
Handling IEP and 504 Plan Disputes
2018
IEP and 504 Plan Legal Workshop Training Seminar
Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs): Ensuring Best Practices
Publications
2018
IEPs and 504 Plans: A Legal Compliance Guide
504 Plan Reviews and Reevaluations: Legal Best Practices
2009
Ph.D. dissertation, University of Southern California
Cause and consequence: confronting ethical challenges in models of morally informed legal practice
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is this a disability discrimination case?
12 Jul 2023
Q&A
I am legal guardian of my grandson who is 12. he has a somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain. He has missed all of 18 D
10 Sep 2019
Q&A
What steps would I take as a high school student who is interested in being a lawyer?
14 Jun 2019