Rachel advises and represents school districts on a range of litigation, general counsel, and special education matters.
Rachel Simon focuses her practice on litigation, general counsel, and special education matters for school districts.
Her litigation experience includes advising and defending school districts in a range of disputes concerning boundary petitions, the Washington Public Records Act, petitions for school board member removal, and tort claims involving students, employees, and civilian injuries, negligence, failure to protect, and the Washington Law Against Discrimination, among other claims.
As general counsel, Rachel frequently responds to public records requests, and advises districts on policy changes and updates based on Washington State School Directors Association Guidelines. She also advises on employment issues, including employee termination.
Rachel’s special education practice includes representing districts in response to community complaints and defending them in due process hearings. She also provides guidance on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance.
Prior to joining Pacifica, Rachel practiced at another Seattle law firm in its litigation team, where she defended clients in state and federal courts against legal malpractice claims involving a range of underlying subjects including contract disputes, estate matters, bankruptcy cases, and consumer protection actions. Rachel also has experience advising clients regarding adherence to employment agreements.
During law school, she interned in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, for the nonprofit Washington Civil & Disability Advocate, and for another Seattle law firm. Rachel also worked as a research assistant for a professor at the Seattle University School of Law, served as editor-in-chief of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice, and served as a board member for the Public Interest Law Foundation. Before attending law school, Rachel taught fifth grade at an independent school in Seattle and coached Ultimate Frisbee in Seattle Public Schools.
Rachel enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, cross-country skiing, traveling and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.
Bar Admissions:
- Washington
Education:
- Oberlin College, B.A., Politics, Concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies
- Seattle University School of Law, J.D. (Editor-in-Chief, Seattle Journal for Social Justice)
Honors:
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in the field of Education Law, 2026-2027
Publications:
- Effectuating an Impartial Jury of One’s Peers: Why Washington Has More Work to Do to Achieve Peremptory Challenge Reform, 19 Seattle J. Soc. Just. 201 (2020)
Community Involvement:
- Oberlin College, Alumni Recruitment Network Volunteer
Professional Organizations:
- King County Bar Association
- Washington Women Lawyers
- Cardozo Society of Washington State
