LRLC Welcomes New Legal Director

Learning Rights is excited to announce that Heather Zakson has been selected as their new Legal Director, effective November 16, 2022. Zakson has over 20 years of experience as an attorney representing families and children in special education, Regional Center and related disability civil rights matters. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and UCLA School of Law where she specialized in Public Interest Law and Policy.

Heather Zakson

Zakson is passionate about supporting underserved communities and protecting the rights of students with disabilities. “I find this work extremely compelling and am excited about leading the organization’s legal efforts,” announced Zakson. “It’s an exciting field of law where you can feel like you’re doing something really important every day.”

Los Angeles-based Learning Rights Law Center, located near downtown, provides free legal services to disadvantaged students in Los Angeles and surrounding counties who are not receiving an equitable public education. The nonprofit’s efforts are focused on the most vulnerable K-12 students who have mental health, developmental or physical disabilities or otherwise face discrimination. Learning Rights Law Center addresses these issues through advocacy, advice, litigation, training and community organizing.

Randi Sunshine, Executive Director of Learning Rights Law Center, said “We are all extremely pleased that we found someone so wonderful to helm our legal practice. Heather is passionate and dedicated to our families and clients having volunteered for many years in our parent education program. She has the expertise it takes to lead our team of outstanding attorneys, paralegals and support staff. I am looking forward to her thought leadership as she joins me in leading Learning Rights Law Center.