Carlos
Chavez
PARTNER
PRACTICE AREAS
A former U.S. Army Reservist and participant in two international peacekeeping missions, Carlos Chavez’s practice is focused on serving school district clients in a wide variety of areas.
Carlos Chavez represents public school districts and other municipal agencies and educational entities. His practice focuses on representing school districts in special education matters, including counseling, advice and all phases of dispute resolution. He also assists school districts in navigating their complex and ever-changing obligations under state and federal education law, including issues of employee and student discipline, privacy, due process, equity, and nondiscrimination.
Carlos routinely provides in-service trainings for school districts on these issues and has also served as adjunct faculty and panelist in the area of school law for the University of Washington’s Danforth Educational Leadership and Leadership for Learning programs and for the University of Washington-Bothell and Seattle University teacher certification programs.
Prior to law school, Carlos served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He had the opportunity to serve on two international peacekeeping missions working directly with local community members on various military information campaigns.
Carlos enjoys spending time with his family, including three children, two cats, and two English Springer Spaniels.
Bar Admissions:
- Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
- University of California, Davis, B.A., International Relations and German, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- Stanford Law School, J.D.
Honors:
- Selected for Washington Super Lawyers, 2023
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Education Law, 2024
Speaking:
- Confidentiality Issues for Student Assistance Programs, Lake Stevens School District
- Section 504: Educating Students with Disabilities, Franklyn Pierce School District
- Training, Supervision and Evaluation of Special Education Paraeducators, Washington School Personnel Association
- Student Discipline Issues: Refresher on Working with Students with Disabilities, Issaquah School District
- Special Needs Transportation: Providing Safe and Appropriate Transportation Services, Washington Association of Pupil Transportation
- Negotiations and Labor Relations: From Historical Overview to Practical Application, Washington School Personnel Association
Publications:
- “New Reporting Requirements for Incidents of Student Restraint or Isolation in Washington Public Schools,” School Districts’ Alert, August 26, 2013
- “Washington Supreme Court Resets the Standard for Teacher Discharge – Limits Rights of Appeal,” School Districts’ Alert, October 5, 2011
- “U.S. Supreme Court Update: Forest Grove Adds to School Districts’ Budget Concerns,” School Districts’ Alert, July 9, 2009
- “Washington’s Public Records Act,” Preston Gates & Ellis School Districts’ Alert, March 27, 2006
Professional Organizations:
- Washington Council of School Attorneys, past president and board member
Representative Matters:
- J. v. Issaquah School District. Successfully defended student’s special education program from initial administrative hearing through proceedings before the Ninth Circuit court of Appeals.
- Miller v. Mukilteo School District. Obtained summary dismissal of employment claims by classified employee in state court proceeding.
- D. and D.D. v. Puyallup School District. Successfully defended student’s special education program from initial administrative hearing through proceedings before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as through related state court proceedings.
- Shearer v. Tacoma School District. Obtained summary judgment in both state and federal court in favor of school district and individual defendant on contract-based employment claims.