IEP Disputes & Advocacy
When the school district denies an evaluation, refuses services, or proposes a plan that does not meet your child's needs, we move the conversation onto a legal footing.
Learn moreSpecial Education Law · California
We can help your child get the best education possible.
The Law Offices of Nicole Hodge Amey helps families focus the conversation on education: evaluations, IEPs, services, due process, and the support a student needs at school. The goal is to help you understand the next right step.
- Special-education focus
- Practicing in California since 2001
- Education-first legal strategy
- Consultas en español
Our focus
The focus is education.
Families usually come to us because something at school is not working: an evaluation was denied, an IEP does not match the student's needs, services are missing, discipline is interfering with learning, or the district is not following through.
We keep the focus where it belongs: making sure the student receives the education, services, placement, and support the law requires. If your matter needs legal representation, we explain that path clearly. If the first step is advocacy, training, or consulting, we can help route you to the right place.
How we help
Legal support for special-education problems.
LONHA handles the legal side of special education: IEP disputes, due process, discipline matters, and disability-rights concerns connected to school. If your situation does not fit neatly into one category, contact us and we will help identify the right next step.
Due Process Hearings
Due process is a formal legal proceeding with deadlines, evidence, and witnesses. We prepare your case, present it, and pursue compensatory remedies when the district has failed your child.
Learn moreDiscipline & Expulsion
Suspension, expulsion, and seclusion of students with disabilities are governed by specific federal protections. When a school disciplines a child for conduct related to their disability, the legal posture changes immediately.
Learn moreLaw firm and advocacy
LONHA and Amey Educational Advocates work in different lanes.
The Law Offices of Nicole Hodge Amey handles legal representation. When a matter requires attorney involvement, that belongs with the law firm.
Amey Educational Advocates focuses on advocacy, training, and consulting. If advocacy is the better fit, we can point you toward AEA so your family starts in the right place.
California attorney
Nicole Hodge Amey
Active licenseState Bar #215157Admitted December 2001
About Nicole
A California attorney focused on special education.
Nicole Hodge Amey has practiced law in California since December 2001. Her work centers on helping families address IEP disputes, due-process matters, school discipline concerns, and education-related disability-rights issues. Spanish-language assistance is available.
Privacy first
The website is here to introduce the firm and help families make contact.
Some legal matters become public record. Even then, the focus of this website is not to broadcast prior matters or turn family stories into marketing.
The site is here to explain the kinds of education issues we handle and make it easy for families to reach the firm when they need help.
Where we work
Northern California, Kern County, and Los Angeles.
We represent families across Oakland, the East Bay, Alameda County, Kern County, and the greater Los Angeles area. Cases involving California school districts in adjacent counties are taken on a case-by-case basis.
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Alameda County
- Contra Costa County
- the East Bay
- Kern County
- Bakersfield
- Los Angeles County
Know your rights
Basic information for parents, in English and Spanish.
GuideEnglish
What Belongs in Your Child's IEP
A plain-language walkthrough of the components every IEP should contain — and the questions to ask when something is missing.
Read the guideGuideEnglish
The Due Process Timeline, From Filing to Hearing
What happens after a complaint is filed, the legal deadlines on both sides, and what to expect at a California due process hearing.
Read the guideGuíaEspañol
Sus Derechos en el Proceso del IEP
Una guía en español que explica los derechos de los padres durante el proceso del IEP en California.
Read the guideWe can help
Tell us what is happening at school.
We respond within 24 business hours. The first step is helping you understand whether the matter belongs with the law firm, advocacy support, or another resource.