Unique Direct Representation Cases at the IEP Stage, Administrative Hearing Stage, and Appeals Stage
Protecting the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families.
Alexis Casillas is a California-based education rights attorney presently handling unique direct representation cases nationwide at the IEP stage, administrative hearing stage, and appeals stage. She has represented students with disabilities and their families in educational-rights litigation at all levels, from administrative hearings to proceedings in federal trial and appellate courts.
She also works on various co-counseling matters with law firms requiring state and federal court support. Ms. Casillas has deep experience with every aspect of special education practice, from helping parents navigate the IEP process, representing clients in mediation and settlement, trying cases in administrative hearings, and challenging (or defending) administrative decisions in federal court.
Alexis Casillas obtained one of the largest compensatory education awards ever issued by the Office of Administrative Hearings in California. She serves on the board of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), an independent, nonprofit organization that works to protect the civil rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 6.5 million children with disabilities in America.
Mandy Favaloro is a partner at Casillas Favaloro, PC. Mandy graduated magna cum laude from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in Political Science, and then attended law school at Pepperdine University, where she graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree. Mandy has exclusively practiced in special education law advocating for students for two decades. Mandy has represented thousands of clients at IEP meetings, mediations, due process hearings and in federal court throughout California.
Mandy prepared and delivered oral arguments in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case involving a school district’s denial of a student’s access to school, obtaining a favorable opinion from the Ninth Circuit on the precedent setting issue of mootness of an IDEA claim upon the death of a student.
Mandy is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She currently serves on the Board of Directors of COPAA, as the Co-Chair of the Conference Committee and has previously served as Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. Mandy taught the Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) for five years. Mandy is a seasoned speaker and presenter and has presented on a variety of topics at national conferences, webinars and podcasts for attorneys, advocates and school administrators.
Mandy lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter and rescue dog Daisy.