|
Our Staff Bonnie Z. Yates
|
Bonnie Z. Yates has been a member of the California State Bar since 1984. She attended Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. She is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in California and is also a member of the Texas State Bar. After passing the California State Bar, Ms. Yates became a Los Angeles county public defender and a criminal defense attorney. In 1990 Ms. Yates became a City Attorney for Huntington Park and Santa Fe Springs, where she practiced municipal and administrative law for nearly ten years. In 1994, Ms. Yates’ second child was diagnosed with autism. At that time, Ms. Yates shifted her legal practice to special education to help her son obtain the educational services he needed. In 1998, Ms. Yates opened her own practice exclusive to special education law and has represented hundreds of children and helped them obtain their educational services. Ms. Yates has 22 years of legal experience and is a member in good standing in both California and Texas State Bars. Heather Zakson – Attorney at Law Heather Zakson graduated from UCLA School of Law in 2002 and has been member of the California State Bar since 2003. Ms. Zakson has practiced exclusively in the area of Special Education Law and started her career at the Learning Rights Project of Western Law Center for Disability Rights (now Disability Rights Law Center) in 2002. In 2005, Ms. Zakson joined The Law Offices of Bonnie Z. Yates, Inc. where she continues to advocate on the behalf of children that have disabilities. Ms. Zakson is a selected member of the State Bar Association’s Access and Fairness Leadership Academy and has received awards from the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the Foundation of the State Bar of California, and the Borchard Foundation. Ms. Zakson has also helped numerous children that have been referred to her by the Juvenile Courts and has been actively involved in community outreach programs to increase the awareness of disability rights and other civil rights issues. Pablo R. Escobar – Attorney at Law Pablo R. Escobar graduated from the UCLA School of Law in 2003 with a concentration in Critical Race Studies. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 2004. Mr. Escobar has practiced in the areas of Special Education Law and Family Law. He began his career at the Learning Rights Project of the Western Law Center for Disability Rights (now the Disability Rights Law Center) in 2003 as a recipient of a prestigious Equal Justice Works Law Fellowship. In 2006, Mr. Escobar joined Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County as a Family Law Attorney where he focused on domestic violence dissolutions, child custody cases, and paternity cases. Mr. Escobar joined The Law Offices of Bonnie Z. Yates, Inc. in 2007 where he has returned to advocating on behalf of children who have disabilities. Mr. Escobar is a selected member of the California State Bar Association's Access and Fairness Leadership Academy, and also sat on the Board of Governors of the State Bar's California Young Lawyer's Association. While in law school, Mr. Escobar was a founding member of the National Latina/o Law Student Association as well as a Co-Chairperson of the UCLA School of Law's La Raza Law Student Association. Pamm Vuoso – Paralegal/Parent Advocate Pamm Vuoso obtained a BA in Child Psychology from CSULB with a Teaching Certificate specializing in Early Childhood Education in 1992. Ms. Vuoso has been an Educational Consultant and Special Education Advocate since 1995. After a successful private practice, Ms. Vuoso joined the Law Offices of Bonnie Z. Yates, Inc, in 2006. Ms. Vuoso brings personal and professional experience in developing Individualized Education Programs for children with special needs. She is experienced in long range educational planning and transition to adult life. Ms. Vuoso is an effective communicator with a demonstrated track record in team building, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. She is a dynamic advocate, committed to assisting parents with special needs children. Sarah Stanick – Executive Director/Educational Consultant |
tel: (310) 204-6624 - fax: (310) 204-6674