Christopher J. Fernandes is a partner in the firm’s San Diego area office.  Mr. Fernandes has practical school law experience in the areas of special education, student issues, labor and employment, charter schools, and real property.  In his practice, he focuses primarily on special education and student issues.  Mr. Fernandes has successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and has experience defending school districts in federal and state civil rights actions, mediations, and administrative proceedings such as expulsions, dismissals, and due process hearings.  Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Fernandes completed an internship with the San Diego Unified School District’s Office of General Counsel.  He also worked for the San Diego County Office of Education, serving in the positions of Credentials Technician, STRS Accounting Clerk, and Teacher’s Assistant for the Juvenile Court and Community Schools.

Mr. Fernandes has contributed to reports published in the California Regulatory Law Reporter, produced by the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego.  In addition, he has made a number of presentations to school districts, county offices of education and professional groups and organizations.

Mr. Fernandes received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and holds a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance from San Diego State University.  In addition, Mr. Fernandes spent a summer studying at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, through the Baylor Law School Study Abroad Program, focusing on North American Legal Systems and International Human Rights.