Paul A. Hefley, Jr.

“For me, the practice of law, more than anything else, is a helping profession. And I can't think of a better way to use a law degree than by using it to help children get the special education they deserve. As a father of two children, I understand the great responsibility I have when parents entrust me with their child's future—even if I only play a small role for a short period of time. What's at stake in every case is never lost on me.”

~ Paul A. Hefley, Jr.

Paul wanted to be an attorney since he was in middle school. His love for the law began following a class project where he played the role of a trial attorney in a re-enactment of a workplace injury case during the American Industrial Revolution. During the project, Paul developed a trial strategy, examined witnesses, and delivered a closing argument. While participating in the class project, Paul caught glimpses of the power and majesty of the law and came to realize that it could be used to bring about justice in society or serve the selfish interests of a select few. From that moment, he resolved to become an attorney and work to hopefully bring about a better society—one case, and one family, at a time.

After high school, Paul joined the U.S. Army where he served honorably as a combat medic in Kansas, Korea, and Hawaii.

After leaving the military, Paul used his G.I. Bill to attend the University of Louisville where he majored in philosophy and took many elective courses in political science, sociology, and economics. In order to make ends meet while working to earn his undergraduate degree, Paul worked the night shift at a package processing company in Louisville.

Following undergrad, Paul moved to Houston, Texas. Concerned about the rising cost of law school, Paul wanted to make sure law was the right path for him before expending the time and money necessary to earn a law degree. He then completed a post-baccalaureate paralegal certification program and worked as a paralegal for a Houston law firm for several years before moving to San Diego, California (his wife's hometown) to attend law school.

Paul graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law (“TJSL”), in San Diego, California. During law school, Paul focused on litigation and trial advocacy in the classroom and through participating in prestigious internships. Paul was a member, and Chair, of TJSL's Moot Court Honor Society and a Criminal Law Fellow. He interned for one year at the San Diego Office of the Public Defender, where he advised clients of their constitutional rights, made courtroom appearances, conducted legal research, examined witnesses, and argued motions. He also was a judicial extern at the San Diego Superior Court, where he reviewed various attorneys' motions, conducted legal research regarding the motions, and drafted legal memoranda and adjudication recommendations for several judges.

In his practice as a special education attorney, Paul has helped countless families obtain additional supports, services, and placements needed for his clients to get the special education they deserve.

Paul is an experienced litigator and trial attorney. He has litigated special education cases in the California Office of Administrative Hearings, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education

University of Louisville, cum laude
Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Bar Admissions

State Bar of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Practice Areas

       State and Federal Special Education Law:

• IEP Dispute Resolution
• Resolution Session
• Mediation Mediation
• Due Process Hearing
• Federal Appeals