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Mandy Gina Leigh

Education Attorney at San Francisco, CA

4.9   18 reviews
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
Free consultation Virtual consultation available
  • Licensed for 20 years
    State CA
    Acquired 2003
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Mandy

Learn Mandy’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Education
    40%
    Special education, expulsion proceedings, suspensions, athletic appeals and civil litigation for ADA and 504 discrimination. Also representing public employees, teachers, aides and educators in wrongful termination and employment matters.

    19 years

  2. Administrative law
    20%
    Special education administrative due process hearings, mediation, IEP attendance and resolution sessions in all areas of eligibility under the federal IDEA and State law. Experience in all 13 categories of eligibility autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, ADD, other health impaired, vision and hearing, speech and language, mental retardation etc.

    19 years

  3. Civil rights
    20%
    Representing individuals in civil litigation in Section 504, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), wrongful termination, discrimination and other violations in schools, public places of accommodations and the workplace.

    19 years

  4. Employment and labor
    20%
    Whistle blower, retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination. Also representing public employees, teachers, aides and educators in wrongful termination and employment matters.

CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY SPECIALIZING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SCHOOL RELATED MATTERS.

Mandy Leigh is a partner at the Leigh Law Group. She handles cases in special education, expulsions, suspensions, employment law, both public and private sector, and in education law. Mandy also represents consumers in In Home Support Services (“IHSS”) and Regional Center ISP’s, IPP’s and fair hearings.

Mandy represents hundreds of parents of children with disabilities, handles a range of complex special education matters and litigates matters in state and federal court. She has published decisions which have made significant and positive changes in special education law which includes but are not limited to C.T. v. Vacaville USD (retaliation for advocacy in the Eastern District of California), E.M. v. Pajaro Valley U.S.D. (eligibility for students with CAPD and why the snapshot rule is not applicable in eligibility cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals), Z.F. v. St. Helena USD (Northern District of California regarding settlement agreements and offers to settle) and S.D. v. Moreland U.S.D. (Section 504/ADA claims for failure to address intensive needs of a child with self injurious behaviors).
Mandy’s experience in education law makes her unique in the field. She has successfully represented families in inter and intra district transfer issues, school attendance review board meetings (SARB) and expulsion hearings. She understands the suspension process and is often retained to challenge suspensions that are not based on fact or evidence.

Families and consumers often rely on Mandy for representation at Fair Hearings, IPP’s, IFSP’s and consumer-based services for IHSS. When families hire Mandy to work on their behalf, they feel confident that they have Mandy as an advocate on their side. Mandy is an attorney advocate who understands the importance of these services which foster the most independence in our communities for individuals who require them.

Mandy is also an experienced labor law and employment attorney. Her passion is representing public employees in disputes involving wrongful termination, collective bargaining issues, disciplinary matters, credentialing and retaliation. She also has experience representing employees who have been denied workplace accommodations but who may be entitled to them under state and federal law. She represents employees in administrative hearings, at mediation and in litigation both in state and federal court.
Mandy is a strong attorney advocate at IEP meetings and Section 504 plan meetings. She has a long history of representing hundreds of Parents and children. She is known for having a straightforward approach that focuses on the child’s needs. She is a force when it comes to strategizing every step of the way as to how to accomplish the ultimate goal of learning and access to schools for all children. Parents appreciate that she takes the lead at these meetings ensuring that no stone is left unturned when it comes to providing quality education for children with special needs. She is the go-to person for a variety of cases ranging from simple to complex and represents children in all categories of eligibility.

Setting her apart from many others is Mandy’s wealth of experience not just attending IEP meetings and Section 504 plan meetings, but she heads litigation in special education administrative due process hearings, the firm's law and motion practice in state and federal court and has appeared before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of children with disabilities. Mandy has also appeared in the state appellate court and has a keen grasp of when to take issues on appeal. She has obtained important published opinions and has obtained favorable settlement outcomes for her clients.
Mandy speaks nationally and speaks for the Council for Parents, Attorneys and Advocates annual conferences. She is often called upon to speak to Parent organizations, Non Public Schools and Agencies and provides training on special education compliance through blogs and social media.



Awards

Client's Choice 2020
Client's Choice
2020

Contact Mandy

Leigh Law Group, P.C.
870 Market St Ste 1157
San Francisco, CA, 94102

Reviews

4.9 / 5.0
  18 customer reviews
5 Star
 
94%
4 Star
 
6%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
0%
Client's Choice 2020
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by Cleveland | May 7, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Determined and strong
Mandy and her firm are incredible! She has done so much for our family. She's incredibly well-prepared, thorough, direct, and professional. She was a tireless advocate for our children and ensured that they received the care they needed. I couldn't recommend Mandy and the Leigh Law Group strongly enough!
Posted by Raymond | November 21, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Learning disability
I can’t say enough about Mandy and her team and what they achieved for our daughters education. The school district was not able to meet our child’s needs through the IEP process and allowed her to fall behind for years. We went through 3 or 4 heated IEP meetings where the district blatantly and continually fell short of goals and services. The district finally pushed us into finding someone to help us. Within a very short amount of time of hiring Mandy all of that changed. She was able to get us a settlement agreement and our daughter into a private school that meets her needs and is thriving. Our daughter never has to feel that way again and is able to move on with her learning journey for years to come. Over the entire process Mandy and her team made us feel comfortable regardless of what was happening at the time. We felt in good hands and always had confidence in Leigh law’s ability’s. Leigh Law group is it and worth its weight in gold. I would highly recommend giving them a call if your child has any educational needs that are not being met.
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Posted by Sean | June 21, 2021
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Scholar of the law and a fierce advocate
Mandy Leigh and her team are the most knowledgable, skilled and empathetic legal advocates for families with children who have special needs I know. When a school district is not being responsive or acknowledging the unique learning needs of one of my clients I connect them with Mandy. Mandy fights tooth and nail to make sure families are fairly represented and has always found a SOLUTION that works for my clients. As a credentialed education specialist and educational therapist, Mandy and her team are my "go to's" for advocacy needs. If you are lucky enough to be taken on as a client by Mandy, you will not be disappointed. She is a scholar of the law and a fierce advocate for people with special needs!
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Posted by Gerardo | June 20, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The right advocate.
The only regret we have is that we didn’t hire Leigh Law Group sooner in the IEP process. As parents invested in our children’s education, it was impossible to step back emotionally in trying to navigate securing an appropriate education for our bright, capable and motivated dyslexic student. Mandy understood our student’s own longing to learn to read, write and spell so as to communicate successfully and independently. She really went to bat for our student’s right to access a climate that could and would deliver. We learned so much from Mandy. Not only does she knows education law, she knows the financial and emotional challenges facing dyslexic students and families stranded in the IEP process. In addition to securing an appropriate education, Mandy expanded our community with valuable connection and resources and connections when we felt drained and alone. Hiring Legh Law Group was the best decision we made and it changed our student’s life for the better and maintained her professionalism where our emotions had gotten the better of us. We are forever grateful to her. She’s highly knowledgeable and focused on meeting student’s needs.
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Posted by Mike | November 24, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
ROCK STAR LAW FIRM!!! Gets true results
Mandy Leigh was absolutely fantastic to work with! I had never required legal services before, but there comes a point where you can't do it on your own and need to call in the reinforcements. Mandy absolutely advocated for our 8 & 17 year year old when we were faced with challenges and what services and supports our kids need in the education setting to allow them to access the materials and feel welcome and accepted. Mandy was meticulous and kept us informed every step of the way. You can tell that Mandy takes great pride in her work and her expertise was so greatly appreciated. Even in these odd times that we find ourselves in with regards to Covid-19 she was very responsive and showed immense dedication to our case. I am so grateful and happy that I picked up the phone and called her, I feel like we truly made the right decision, because of Mandy. Mandy is a very skilled attorney but what impressed me most was her HONESTY along with her compassion, understanding, kindness and patience. Mandy was very responsive and always readily available to be by your side through the challenges and always reassured us she was there to support our kids needs and fight for there educational rights and supports.
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Posted by Patricia | July 16, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mandy Leigh is Outstanding, Caring, Honest, Effective
Mandy worked with us to evaluate and improve our son's IEP, and later, helped guide us through our daughter's 504 meeting and to work through the lengthy process of getting her professionally evaluated and securing an IEP. Mandy is incredibly knowledgeable, and helped us greatly to evaluate our children's needs and then to successfully work with the school districts to develop plans to help provide them with the support they need to develop and succeed. There is literally no way we could have obtained the results we did by working the schools alone. From the beginning Mandy was professional, responsive, caring, honest/realistic, organized, and extremely effective in getting results. She helped us ask questions and present information in ways we never would have known to do. We would highly recommend Mandy Leigh for anyone needing an education attorney and for anyone concerned about their child's special education needs and insuring that school's are providing the assistance needed for them to progress toward their goals.
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Posted by Raymond | July 3, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Amazing
We have a daughter with special needs that was not being addressed in anyway by her school. Mandy helped us reach a settlement agreement that we were unsure was even possible with the School District. Mandy and her entire team communicated all the information and steps needed during the process. This put us at ease while going through the process. We can’t say enough for what Mandy and her team did for our daughter to get her where she needed to be to further her education. We would highly recommend Mandy to anyone seeking professional help with their children’s educational needs.
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Posted by Joe | June 18, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
A Lawyer's Lawyer and good Communication
We knew we needed serious legal firepower, and found Leigh Law by looking at amicus briefs for key appeals in our case's field. That turned out to be a very good decision. Mandy is what you'd call a "lawyer's lawyer": knowledgeable about both the legal and human dynamics, with a formidable network of experts and other forms of assistance, and able to be aggressive when necessary. That combination caused a heretofore obdurate educational district to finally engage in reasonable discussions. In the end, we got an agreement that works. It all took longer than we thought, as it usually does for legal matters. Which is why w also appreciated the level of communication throughout the process. It was notably better than we had experienced from other firms we had dealt with before. We did not have to hound Leigh Law, they called us to keep us informed. Even outside their normal working hours. Legal stuff is never fun, but we definitely picked the right partner.
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Posted by Joel | April 2, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Help When You Need it
Mandy and the Leigh Group where recommended to us at a time of great need, and my wife and I are very happy with the service we received from them. Mandy was thorough, professional, knowledgeable, frank, responsive, and honest. She never over promised and always delivered. She answered our questions, addressed our concerns, and followed through in a timely manner. She and her staff communicated with us efficiently and clearly. Billing was as promised, reasonable and efficient. We recommend Mandy and the Leigh Law Group if you need help with Special Education needs.
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Posted by anonymous | June 19, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Attorney
Mandy Leigh is a highly competent Education Attorney, that I feel very fortunate to have found for my family! She is clearly an expert in special education law and quickly guided us through the very complex process of education law and achieved the best possible outcome for us! Without reservation I recommend Mandy and her team!
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Posted by anonymous | December 15, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great attorneys!
Great working with Leigh Law group! They were timely, efficient, caring, and got the job done! During a tough time I knew I could count on them to make it easier. I would highly recommend!
Posted by Joy | August 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
When something goes really wrong you want Mandy Leigh!
We hired Mandy to represent our son in Marin CA. She had a very short window to perform, and came through with flying colors. Mandy is sharp, professional, dedicated, meticulous and resourceful. She knows the law inside and out. My son would truly not be where he is today without Mandy on our team.
Posted by Carissa | August 5, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great experience
Mandy was efficient, honest and quick while handling our case to request the school district reimburse us for a private school placement. She was successful in getting us a favorable outcome. I would highly recommend her and would use her again if needed.
Posted by anonymous | November 6, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent service
Mandy and her team at Leigh Law Group used their expertise to achieve the most successful results in my child's IHSS case. I highly recommend them.
Posted by anonymous | August 1, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Education Attorney
We hired Leigh Law Group to handle our educational legal issues regarding Special Education, 504 Hearing and Manifestation, Expulsion, and Appeals. We found Mandy and her team to be knowledgeable, smart, caring, and compassionate when we needed it the most. Mandy has gone way above and beyond for my family. She is driven to get the best results for our family as she would be for yours. I highly recommend Mandy and her team at the Leigh Law Group.
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Posted by Lisa | November 6, 2014
Extraordinary service
Mandy's expertise and attention to detail is only surpassed by her client dedication and commitment to achieving the best possible results. In an extraordinarily short period of time, Mandy not only gained control of the matters at hand, but she took command of the case in such a way that it brought a resolve that we simply could not have imagined. We are so incredibly grateful for all Mandy did for us and our son and could not recommend her or her services more highly.
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Posted by LINDA | November 1, 2014
Leigh Law Group Review
Mandy was hired to litigate on behalf of a special education student and the high school district where he resided. Mandy was a personal referral from a friend of mine, as well as, a being referred to me by a private high school director. She is well-known and highly respected in her field of special education law. There were issues regarding FAPE, 504, ADA, and discrimination on the table when Mandy began her work for my family. Luckily, thanks to Mandy's tireless work on our behalf, we were able to reach settlement with the district, out of court. Mandy is professional, genuinely concerned about her clients' well-being, diligent in her research, and steadfast in her convictions about helping her clients' achieve their goals.
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Posted by M.K. | March 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Special Education
We hired Mandy to advocate for our child who is a special needs student in Marin County. There were issues regarding IEP goals, accommodations and modifications. We were glad to have Mandy and her team on our side over the years. The IEP process is confusing to the average parent and when the school district/ administrators tried to "sweep our son under the rug," Mandy was persistent in her approach and the proof is in the results. Mandy is consummate professional, she treated our case with genuine care and attention it deserved. Our son is so much better off today thanks to all her efforts. We won't hesitate to call her again when needed.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.8 (Very Good)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Leigh Law Group
  • 2005 - Present
  • Associate
  • Beeson, Tayer, & Bodine, PC
  • 2004 - 2005

Education

  • Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2002
  • University of Florida
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1993

Legal Cases

  • J.B. v. Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools et al
  • Parents received monetary and school based remedies which greatly improved the student's life.

Associations

  • Supreme Court of California
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • United States District Court – Northern California
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • United States District Court– Eastern California
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • State Bar of California
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Client's Choice
  • Avvo
  • 2020
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2014

Speaking Engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (3)
Given (1)
Endorse Mandy
Unknown Attorney | Dec 21
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"Mandy is a superb attorney, litigator, and mentor. She is deeply knowledgeable, strategic, tenacious, and compassionate. Our work requires advocating on behalf of children often with extremely complex and co-morbid academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and/or medical needs. Our clients often come to us in crisis and they need immediate help. Those moments are when Mandy shines. I greatly admire her ability to withstand the pressure and fight for our clients' needs and rights. I am a better lawyer because I work for and alongside her."
Education Attorney | Jun 20
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Mandy is incredibly knowledgeable of education law and a fierce litigator."
Education Attorney | Oct 31
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked closely with Ms. Leigh on several Education legal matters and she is by far the best attorney in this field for several outstanding reasons: First, she is highly skilled and an excellent negotiator; Second she is very tenacious and persevere; Third, her ethics and conduct is beyond reproach and she always puts the interests of her clients first. I wish more practitioners possessed her skills and dedication. I look forward to working with her in the future."
Criminal defense