California BrainWaves
"Making a Splash in the Neuro Community!"
Our Legal Referral Network
Our Legal Referral Network
California BrainWaves is actively recruiting a Legal Referral Network of a variety of attorneys who are knowledgeable and empathetic of individuals and families with brain and developmental disabilities. Each attorney will process their own contracts independently from California BrainWaves, and each lawyer will choose whether to be full pay, sliding scale, or pro bono. We are seeking the following attorneys: Business, Civil Rights, Criminal, Employment, Family, Immigration, Nonprofit, Real Estate, Wills/Trusts/Estates.

Special Needs Estate Planning
Timeless Estate Planning
I have five children, two of my children have special needs and one is my stepdaughter. On a deep level, I understand how every family has special gifts, dreams, fears and goals and I am deeply committed to be your trusted advisor who helps you make the very best personal, financial, and legal decisions for your family throughout your lifetime. I want to not just help you now, but also when you can’t be there so that I can help guide your loved ones through a difficult process.
In short, my sole focus is to help families avoid collapse after the death or disability of a loved one.
We have many resources for you so you can ensure your family and loved ones stay out of court and out of conflict, if and when something happens to you. Browse around, see what we have, and feel free to request any of the resources we have for you, complimentary.
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Laura Croft
20 Park Road, Suite D
Burlingame, CA 94010

Special Education
Law Offices of Natashe Washington
Natashe Washington is a special education attorney licensed in California and New York, with a strong background in litigation and research and trained in mediation. She is skilled at bringing due process complaints against school districts to ensure children receive the required appropriate education. She has been a speaker at various events arranged by different organizations sharing information with Parents on the IEP process and due process complaints.
She has successfully worked with parents on behalf of their children with the following disabilities including, but not limited to:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- ADD/ADHD
- Processing Disorders
- Down Syndrome
- Emotional Disturbance
- Physical Disabilities
As an attorney she has helped Parents and children of all ages with the following legal issues including, but not limited to:
- Review of IEP's(Individual Education Plans) and records
- Disciplinary hearings
- Early Resolution sessions
- Mediations
- Due Process Hearings
- Federal appeals
- Parents seeking representation for due process complaints are represented free of charge.

Special Education
The Law Office of Carolyn Makens
Special Education Advocacy
We are a special education law firm dedicated to advocating for the rights of children with disabilities. We believe that every child deserves the same floor of opportunity to achieve and make meaningful educational gains at school. We represent the interests of children and their parents in obtaining a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Regional Center Fair Hearings
We provide legal representation for Regional Center appeals for denial of eligibility. We have experience with 5th category eligibility as a developmental disability.
Bullying
Is your child being bullied at school? Let us help. Students have a right to attend school in a safe environment where they have the ability to learn.
Where We Practice
The Law Office is located in Marin County adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Our area of practice is Northern California including the East Bay, South Bay, Oakland, San Mateo, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Napa, Sonoma, Eureka, Benecia, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, Modesto, Stockton, Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Rafael, Concord, Antioch, Cloverdale, Sebastopal, Novato, Mill Valley, Sacramento, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Joaquin, Monterey, Santa Clara, Napa County, Sonoma County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz, Corte Madera, Tiburon, San Anselmo, and Solano.
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How We Can Help​
The Law Office of Carolyn McTier Makens advocates for children with special needs and disabilities. We can assist you with all aspects of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting for your child, filing or defending against a Request for Mediation and Due Process and filing Compliance Complaints with the California Department of Education against your District for failure to implement your child’s IEP.
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Call us:
Mailing Address:
145 Corte Madera Town Center, #177
Corte Madera, CA 94925
email: cmakens@makenslaw.com

Duplicate 5
Natashe Washington is a special education attorney licensed in California and New York, with a strong background in litigation and research and trained in mediation. She is skilled at bringing due process complaints against school districts to ensure children receive the required appropriate education. She has been a speaker at various events arranged by different organizations sharing information with Parents on the IEP process and due process complaints.
She has successfully worked with parents on behalf of their children with the following disabilities including, but not limited to:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- ADD/ADHD
- Processing Disorders
- Down Syndrome
- Emotional Disturbance
- Physical Disabilities
As an attorney she has helped Parents and children of all ages with the following legal issues including, but not limited to:
- Review of IEP's(Individual Education Plans) and records
- Disciplinary hearings
- Early Resolution sessions
- Mediations
- Due Process Hearings
- Federal appeals
- Parents seeking representation for due process complaints are represented free of charge.
725 Washington Street, Ste 300
Oakland, CA 94607
Tel: (510) 394-4356
Fax: (510) 868-1932

Special Education
Sabrina L. Axt, Esq.
​​My dedication to helping students with exceptional needs started with my own personal journey navigating the educational system. As the mother to a daughter with dyslexia, I understand that navigating the special education process can be stressful and intimidating for parents. Having gone through the testing and IEP process with my own child, I know what it’s like.
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In 2017, I decided to leave my civil litigation practice in order to advocate for my child and ultimately started my own special education law practice.
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Special Education Attorney
30-Minute Consultation . . . $200
60-Minute Consultation . . . $400
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2950 Buskirk Avenue, Suite 300
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
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Additional Resources
Internet Special Education Resources: A Nationwide Directory
Special Needs, Special Education, & Learning Disabilities Resources: A Nationwide Directory of advocates, attorneys, resources:
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Seniors
Legal Assistance for Seniors
Legal Assistance for Seniors works to ensure the independence and dignity of seniors by protecting their legal rights through education, counseling, and advocacy.
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LAS provides free legal services to seniors throughout Alameda County, including free legal advice and information, representation in court and administrative hearings, referrals to other community resources, and community education and training on legal issues.
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Our main areas of legal service:
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Housing >>
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HICAP
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a volunteer supported program that helps Medicare beneficiaries of any age make informed choices and provides advocacy when their health care benefits and rights are threatened or denied.
Learn more >>
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION
LAS staff and volunteers travel to senior residences, senior and disability centers, community centers and faith-based organizations throughout Alameda County to speak about legal and healthcare-related issues important to seniors.
Learn more >>
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333 Hegenberger Rd., Suite 850
Oakland, CA 94621
To Contact Us: 510.832.3040
For a HICAP Appointment: 510.839.0393
CA HICAP Statewide 800#: 800-434-0222

Seniors
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services
Our History
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS) is a private, nonprofit agency that has been providing free legal services to older residents aged 60 or older in the County since 1976. Thousands of seniors have benefited from these services which have enabled them to stay in their homes, to become eligible for and to retain public benefits, to recover real and personal property wrongly taken from them, and to obtain relief from physical, financial, and emotional abuse.
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CCSLS seeks to provide the broadest possible access to its services. It prioritizes those areas of law relevant to the needs of older residents of the County, especially those not otherwise addressed by other legal services programs. CCSLS regularly provides individual assistance to over 1,000 clients per year and provides outreach and training to hundreds more.
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Our Mission
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services provides free legal advice, assistance, representation, advocacy, and education for Contra Costa County residents aged 60 and older, giving particular attention to legal problems adversely affecting our clients’ access to housing, economic security and prevention of physical, psychological or economic abuse.
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Contact Us
2702 Clayton Rd., Ste. 202
Concord, CA 94519
(925) 609-7900
legalhelp@ccsls.org

Social Security Legal Assistance
Rosemary Dady, Directing Attorney, The Hawkins Center
Our History
The Hawkins Center was founded in 1986 and is named after Versie Hawkins, who suffered a severe back injury in 1982 that left her unable to work after more than 30 years of employment. She applied for Social Security disability benefits, but was denied. Versie sought the assistance of a young attorney and social worker in Richmond who represented her before the Social Security Administration and guided her case to a successful conclusion helping to restore a measure of economic security for Versie and her family. Versie’s struggle and the dignity with which she fought through it, inspired the founding of The Hawkins Center.
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Why choose The Hawkins Center to represent you?
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI disability benefits can be a complex and overwhelming task that can take two years or more from application to award. The Hawkins Center provides representation to individuals throughout this process, from the initial denial through hearings held before Social Security’s Administrative Law Judges, all the way to federal court if that becomes necessary. We understand that applying for benefits can be frustrating and confusing. We are here to help and do our utmost to explain the process and help our clients achieve a successful outcome. Several of our Social Security attorneys dedicate their practice solely to Social Security Disability and SSI appeals.
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Since 1986, our attorneys have represented thousands of individuals in hearings or appeals. The vast majority of our clients for whom work was not an option, came to us without any other source of long term income or way to support themselves or their families. We have repeatedly seen and deeply understand the critical need people who are otherwise unable to work due to severe mental or physical disabilities have for the stabilizing income provided through Social Security’s disability programs. This understanding fuels the dedication and commitment we bring to every client we represent.
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If you have been denied your benefits or have questions about Social Security’s disability programs, please contact The Hawkins Center today for a free consultation.
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The Hawkins Center:
Social Security Advocacy
183 Broadway, Richmond, CA 94804
Ph: (510) 232-6611

Sliding Scale Family, Immigration, Probate, Estate Law Firm
All for the Family
ALL FOR THE FAMILY LEGAL CLINIC, INC is a Nonprofit
providing equal access to justice for low-income and modest-means litigants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We charge on a sliding scale basis taking into account both income and family size. Costs are generally between $50 and $150 per hour.
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WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
FAMILY LAW:
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Divorce
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Legal Separation
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Custody
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Support
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Prenups/Postnups
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Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
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Civil Harassment Orders
OTHER AREAS OF LAW:
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Probate (Guardianships and Uncontested Conservatorships, and Uncontested Probate of Estates)
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Estate Planning (Wills, Living Revocable Trusts, POAs, and health care directives)
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Basic Immigration (U Visas, VAWA and special juvenile status findings that are closely related to our other services)
We provide services in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties.
We also offer consultation-only and uncontested Probate of Estate services in Solano and Stanislaus counties.
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WE OFFER VARIOUS SERVICES FOR EVERY BUDGET AS OUTLINED BELOW:
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1. CONSULTATION ONLY:
We provide advice, review paperwork, and assist with documents, but we do not represent you in court or negotiate with the opposing party. This includes assistance with document preparation (does not include review of complex documents) via phone and/or email. This service requires a deposit.
We also have another option in which you can meet with us and pay at the end of the meeting for the time used instead of paying a deposit. This would be a good option if you have documents (review of complex documents are not included) that you want us to review and then you want to proceed on your own. This is also subject to our availability.
2. LIMITED SCOPE:
You hire us for one hearing, we help with paperwork and advice regarding that hearing, but afterward you represent yourself.
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3. FULL SCOPE:
The traditional attorney-client relationship. We go to all court hearings, do all paperwork, and negotiate with the other side/their attorney.
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3137 CASTRO VALLEY BLVD, #210
CASTRO VALLEY, CA, 94546

Special Needs Family Attorney
Gumm & Green, LLP
We Understand What Is Required In Cases With Children With Special Needs
For decades, Gumm & Green, LLP has represented many clients with cases in family law and court involving special needs children.
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Representing our clients’ with children who have special needs involves knowing the various categories of those needs and what will serve their best interest.
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Our skilled and caring family law attorneys help families with children who:
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Have life-threatening medical conditions
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ADHD
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Autism or autism spectrum disorders (Asperger’s Syndrome)
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Psychological or behavioral disorders
We recognize the unique challenges that exist in special needs family law litigation as well as in a collaborative family law context.
The Importance Of An Assessment
We understand the issues relating to physical custody disputes and legal custody involving special needs children that include out of home placement, IEP issues in the school districts, IPP programs for clients of the Los Angeles County Regional Center and Tri County Regional Center in Ventura County.
We also know that both parents do not always agree with the special assessments for the child or are in denial about what programs serve the child’s best interest who have special needs.
A Minor’s Counsel
The court may appoint a minor’s counsel for the child, who will have expertise with the child’s special needs. Minor’s counsel can help the court decide what is in the child’s best interest and which parent is better able to help the child. This firm has worked with both court appointed minor’s counsel and child custody evaluators in family law litigation involving children with special needs.
Special Needs and Additional Support
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Child support is another important area for children with special needs. The laws support additional child support to address funds for special educational, medical or other special needs of the children.
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At Gumm & Green, LLP we have a team of professionals at our disposal as resources for referrals if there are special needs trusts or funds that are earmarked for special needs children after the conclusion of the family law litigation or mediation.
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Working with an attorney who does not have special needs case experience can severely jeopardize one’s family law case.
818-707-4233 OR 855-707-4233
We serve families in Thousand Oaks and the surrounding LA County area.

Family Law
Jarrat Law, PC
Non-Marital Romantic Partnerships
Not all families are created through marriage. Many of our clients are in committed nonmarital relationships. Partners have children, buy homes, and agree to support one another through sickness and health. Marriage provides a legal scheme to guide couples throughout their relationship. For nonmarital partners, your agreements and obligations can vary depending on whether they are made through an explicit agreement or through the agreements implied by your behavior. At Jarratt Law, P.C., we help you remove the ambiguity by setting up coupling agreements and estate plans. Through these written statements of your intent, you and your partner can clearly express your expectations and desires and negotiate an agreement about how you will manage finances and property. And, if your relationship has ended, we are also here to help you wind up your joint financial affairs and establish good co-parenting relationship.
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Non-Marital Romantic Partnerships
5870 Stoneridge Mall Road, Ste. 207
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 480-7850

Family Law
Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell, LLP
Whiting, Ross, Abel & Campbell, LLP, of Walnut Creek, California, provides legal representation in matters of family law, such as divorce, legal separation, actions for spousal and child support, child custody and visitation disputes, paternity disputes, enforcement of existing court orders, and premarital and post-marital agreements.
We offer our experience and expertise to clients from all over the state, including Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano Counties, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Piedmont, Berkeley, Oakland, Kensington, Montclair, Rockridge, and other communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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CONTACT US
101 Ygnacio Valley Road
Suite 250
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Family Law
Bednarczyk & Valerio, LLP
Tracey Wapnick is a partner at Bednarczyk & Valerio who focuses her practice on dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation issues, child support, spousal support, and complex high-asset dissolution cases. A strong advocate for children, she also regularly does parenting coordinator and minor’s counsel work. Tracey is known for her skill in helping clients find non-litigation solutions — such as mediation — but if efforts towards amicable resolution are unsuccessful, she brings years of litigation experience to advocate for you successfully in Court.
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Born in South Africa, Tracey moved with her family to Boston at age six and subsequently to San Diego. Tracey relocated to the Bay area for college and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and her Juris Doctor from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Prior to opening her own practice in 2000, Tracey was an associate attorney for Wagner & Wagner in Oakland, California.
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Known by her clients and colleagues as being responsive, diligent, and thorough, Tracey is well-respected for her high ethical standards and is devoted to ensuring her clients know they have an attorney on their side who is representing their best interests.
Understanding that divorce can be one of the most difficult experiences a person ever faces, Tracey Wapnick is committed to providing her clients with the information they need to make the important decisions that will impact the rest of their lives — and the lives of their children. She has been a dedicated mentor to younger attorneys during her years of practicing law and regularly volunteers in both the Contra Costa County and Alameda County family courts. Tracey has been selected for inclusion in the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers List. No more than 5% of lawyers in the state receive this honor.
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When she is not in the office, Tracey enjoys reading, traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family.
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Practice Areas
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Divorce
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Family law litigation
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Mediation
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Child custody and parenting time
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Child support
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Spousal support
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Complex Property division
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Post-judgment modifications
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Parenting coordination
Bednarczyk & Valerio, LLP
1470 Maria Lane Suite 205
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: 925-464-2494