Michael J. DeNiro Ph.D, Attorney at Law

Law Firm Overview

Pursuant to Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1-400, the matter herein must be labeled as a newsletter.

Experienced Attorney Working on Your Behalf

I offer unique legal representation because of my work experience before I became an attorney. I was a professor at the University of California for thirty years. The understanding I gained of how institutions operate to deny individuals their legal rights informs how I practice law. I represent individuals only, never public or private institutions.

Please call me at (805) 845-8223 for a free initial consultation.  I will gather the relevant facts from you, and then give you an assessment of the prospects for a successful outcome if you decide to hire a lawyer. I will not represent you unless I believe there is a good chance I can help you.

I don't bill by the hour. I charge a one-time flat fee for legal services. Once the fee is paid, you will not have to pay me any additional money as I pursue all available options to resolve your legal problem.  

Education Law

I represent students, teachers, professors and staff facing administrative and disciplinary hearings at elementary and secondary schools and at public and private colleges and universities.

I also advise students and their parents on qualifying as California residents for tuition and fees at California universities and colleges. 

I will prepare you for any hearing or meeting with school administrators, and will accompany you to and advise/represent you at the meeting or hearing.

Prospective clients include:

Students accused of plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty, or facing disciplinary charges for alleged violations of the student conduct code

Students facing academic probation or academic dismissal

Staff members facing disciplinary charges             

Staff members wanting to negotiate a separation agreement

Staff members wanting to negotiate a settlement agreement

Professors facing disciplinary charges for alleged violations of the faculty code of conduct

Professors involved in privilege and tenure disputes            

Professors wanting to negotiate a separation agreement

Professors wanting to negotiate a settlement agreement 

Professors and staff seeking advice on retirement and which retirement options to choose

Teachers in public schools facing a hearing to determine whether there is cause not to rehire for the next school year [Education Code section 1294, 44949, 44955]

Teachers in public schools who have received a reduction in force notice        

Teachers facing allegations of misconduct before the Commission on Teacher Credentialing 

Students, staff, teachers, or professors who have suffered discrimination because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation   

Students who want to appeal a classification as a nonresident for tuition purposes at the University of California or the California State University. [A University of California student who believes "an incorrect residence classification has been made by the campus Residence Deputy may appeal in writing to the Principal Legal Analyst-Residence Matters within 30 days of notification of the campus Residence Deputy's final decision." Similarly, California State University students "who do not qualify as California residents for tuition purposes will be notified in writing and given the opportunity to appeal to the California State University Chancellor's Office."]  

Whistleblowers threatened with retaliation

Children facing suspension, involuntary transfer, or expulsion from elementary or secondary school   

Children with special educational needs that aren't being met in school who would benefit from having an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or an Individual Education Program (IEP)

Students being bullied or cyber-bullied in school

Parents seeking to recall members of the school board

Appealing Disapproval of Government Benefits

I work with clients who have been wrongfully denied:            

Social Security benefits            

Social Security Disability benefits            

Veterans benefits            

Veterans Disability benefits            

            VA Aid & Attendance

Unemployment benefits            

Medicare            

Medicaid

I will assist you in filing an appeal and will represent you in front of the administrative law judge who will decide your appeal.

I also work with clients who want to appeal a decision that they have been overpaid unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). If you have received a Notice of Overpayment from EDD or a Notice of Overpayment from Social Security, contact me to discuss your options.

General Civil Practice

There are a variety of other legal matters in which I offer my services.

These include, but are not limited, to:

Civil harassment cases, where, for example, a neighbor is harassing you but the police can't stop it. I will help you obtain an order from a judge that will stop it.

CC&Rs enforcement in condominiums and housing developments

Sale of structured settlements, annuities and insurance policies to companies such as J. G. Wentworth, Novation Capital, Stone Street Capital, and Woodbridge Structured Funding. You will pay nothing to me if I represent you in such sales. By California law, the buyer must pay my fee, and cannot take it out of your proceeds from the sale.

Representation at fee arbitration hearings. The legal basis for recovering fees from a lawyer who represented you is well defined. Most clients lose fee arbitration hearings because they don't know the law. I will examine your situation, and advise you on your chances of success. If you retain me, I will submit a legal brief to the arbitrator, then prepare you and represent you at the arbitration hearing. Clients in this area have asked if I would have any problems opposing another attorney during a fee arbitration hearing. My answer is no. I do not consort with known attorneys, so as to insure that my relations with  brothers and sisters of the Bar are always adversarial.

Representation at Labor Board hearings and at Labor Board settlement conferences

Student loan issues, including erroneous interest charges  

Contract disputes  

Civil annulment  

Negotiation of severance packages

Inmate civil rights lawsuits (aka Bivens actions) filed under 42 U.S.C.A. 1983, that allege a violation of an inmate's civil rights, typically by the officials or entities having custody of him

Federal cases involving violation of state laws on federal property. I can represent you if, for example, you were caught speeding on Vandenberg Air Force Base or on the Point Mugu Naval Air Station.

Recall of a local elected official    

I offer day, evening and weekend consultation by phone.

Please call me at (805) 845-8223.

Michael J. DeNiro Ph.D., Attorney at Law    

Areas of Practice

• Education Law
• Civil Law
• Government Programs & Benefits

West Practice Categories

Administrative, Contracts, Education, Employment, Government Agencies & Programs, Social Security -- Disability