Riverside & Cerritos, CA  |  (951) 727-4339 Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM  |  officemanager@psparkslaw.com
Safeguarding Rights.
Shaping Futures.
California Special Education Law

When the School District Isn’t on Your Child’s Side — We Are.

The Law Offices of Phillip Sparks, APC has spent over 25 years fighting for the rights of children with disabilities and the families who advocate for them.

25+
Years Experience
100s
Families Helped
100%
Special Ed Focus

25 Years Fighting for Children Who Can’t Fight Alone

Attorney Phillip Sparks founded this firm after discovering his true calling: making sure every child gets the education they are legally entitled to — regardless of what the school district says.

From IEP meetings to due process hearings, we stand beside California families every step of the way. Watch Phillip share the story behind the firm.

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Attorney Phillip Sparks
25+
Years of Legal Experience
100s
Families Helped Across California
100%
Focus on Special Education Law

How We Fight For Your Child

Every child with a disability has federally protected rights. We make sure California school districts honor them.

IEP Advocacy

We attend IEP meetings with you, review proposed placements, and ensure your child’s program truly meets their unique needs — not just what’s convenient for the school district.

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Free Appropriate Public Education

Every child with a disability is entitled to FAPE. We fight to ensure school districts deliver on that promise — including compensatory education when they fall short.

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Least Restrictive Environment

Your child has the right to be educated alongside their peers to the maximum extent appropriate. We challenge overly restrictive placements and advocate for inclusion.

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Section 504 Plans

When a child doesn’t qualify for an IEP but still needs accommodations, Section 504 provides critical protections. We help families secure and enforce plans that actually work.

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Due Process & Mediation

When a school district fails your child, we take action. We file for due process hearings and represent families in formal mediation — holding districts accountable under IDEA.

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OCR Complaints

If your child has been discriminated against or denied their rights, we help families file and navigate complaints with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.

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Disabilities & Conditions We Handle

We represent children across the full spectrum of disabilities recognized under IDEA and Section 504.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
ADD / ADHD
Learning Disabilities
Intellectual Disabilities
Emotional Disturbance
Speech & Language Impairments
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Orthopedic Impairments
Hearing Impairments / Deafness
Visual Impairments / Blindness
Asperger’s Syndrome
Other Health Impairments

Cases We’ve Won

Seeing our clients thrive is our benchmark for success!

01

ABA Therapy & Compensatory Education Secured for Child with Autism

A family in Los Angeles came to us after their school district repeatedly denied their child appropriate therapeutic services. We filed for due process and secured a fully funded ABA program plus two years of compensatory education.

02

IEP Eligibility Won for Child with Dyslexia and ADHD

Parents were told their daughter didn’t qualify for special education. We advocated for an independent educational evaluation that confirmed eligibility. She now has a comprehensive IEP with specialized reading instruction.

03

Less Restrictive Placement Achieved for Student with Emotional Disturbance

A single mother’s son had been placed in an overly restrictive behavioral program. We negotiated a therapeutic day school placement better suited to his needs — at no cost to the family.

04

OCR Complaint Forces District to Provide Services After TBI

After a school district ignored a student’s traumatic brain injury for over a year, we filed an OCR complaint. The district was required to revise policies and provide compensatory services.

The Team Behind Your Child’s Advocacy

Phillip Sparks, Esq.

Founding Attorney
Special Education Law

Special Education Advocate

IEP & 504 Specialist
Advocacy Services

Client Relations Manager

Family Support Services
Client Services

Legal Assistant

Due Process & Mediation
Legal Support

What Families Are Saying

Real families. Real results.

★★★★★
Phillip Sparks, leaves no tables unturned. He fights tirelessly to secure appropriate services and accommodations for children with special needs. His clients value his accessibility and time taken to communicate clearly and promptly. He makes his highest priority to keep clients informed about each step and the process through challenging situations. I would recommend his firm without any hesitation.
Erma FulcherParent — Google Review
★★★★★
Philip Sparks has extensive experience in special education matters. He is responsive, knowledgeable, and professional. He quickly assessed a complex situation, identified my child’s rights, and skillfully negotiated a resolution resulting in significant educational progress for my daughter.
Daniel RosenbergParent — Google Review
★★★★★
The law offices of Phillip Sparks and their staff have done an outstanding job helping our family with our son’s IEP. Thanks to Phillip Sparks and his staff, they helped us get the services and support for our son that were needed. I highly recommend!
Leticia PerezParent — Google Review
★★★★★
I really love everything this place stands for. My son has autism and dealing with the school system alone would have been such a daunting task. Thankfully Attorney Sparks was there guiding us through the process and fighting for him.
Michelle LeftwichParent — Google Review
★★★★★
Mr. Sparks is a caring, kind attorney who always has our best interest in mind. His knowledge of special education law is outstanding and he is always very responsive. He helped us get important educational services for our daughter that we didn’t know she was entitled to.
Allison FaganParent — Google Review
★★★★★
Mr. Sparks is the kind of lawyer every parent of a special needs child hopes to find. He is thorough, patient, and truly passionate about getting children the education they deserve. He took the time to understand our son’s unique needs and fought hard for him.
Laura ArzagaParent — Google Review

Award-Winning Legal Advocacy

Phillip Sparks, Esq. has been named a Lawyers of Distinction honoree for three consecutive years — recognizing excellence in Civil Rights & Special Education Law.

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION ★★★★★ Phillip Sparks, Esq. Recognizing Excellence in Civil Rights & Special Education Law 2023
Lawyers of Distinction
LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION ★★★★★ Phillip Sparks, Esq. Recognizing Excellence in Civil Rights & Special Education Law 2024
Lawyers of Distinction
LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION ★★★★★ Phillip Sparks, Esq. Recognizing Excellence in Civil Rights & Special Education Law 2025
Lawyers of Distinction

Lawyers of Distinction members are selected based upon a review and vetting process utilizing U.S. Provisional Patent #62/743,254. Membership is not meant to infer endorsement by any State Bar Association.

Tools to Help You Advocate

Knowledge is power. Use these free resources to better understand your child’s rights.

IEP Meeting Checklist

A step-by-step checklist to prepare for your child’s IEP meeting and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Download Free →

Understanding Your Rights Webinar

Recorded webinar covering IDEA, FAPE, LRE and what every parent of a child with disabilities needs to know.

Watch Free →

Special Education Law Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the legal terms you’ll encounter in IEP meetings, hearings, and school district correspondence.

View Glossary →

Due Process Filing Guide

A parent’s guide to understanding the due process hearing system in California and what to expect at each stage.

Download Free →

Special Education Law Insights

Practical guidance for California families navigating IEPs, due process, and their children’s rights.

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Your Child’s Rights Matter.
Let’s Protect Them Together.

Contact our team today and get expert guidance on your child’s special education rights.

Call (951) 727-4339
Or email officemanager@psparkslaw.com — we respond within one business day

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Law Offices of Phillip Sparks

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