About Loughrey & Associates, Lawyers & Advocates for Disability Rights (LADR)

Tamara Loughrey, Managing Attorney

Tamara Loughrey practices trial and appellate litigation. She focuses her practice on civil rights litigation in federal and state court, administrative special education due process hearings, tort-personal injury claims and criminal defense and misdemeanor appeals.
Prior to forming Loughrey & Associates, LLP, Ms. Loughrey was a solo-practice focusing on civil rights litigation, administrative law including special education and license revocation hearings and criminal defense and appeals. Ms. Loughrey also served as co-counsel on several personal injury cases with one such resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement for plaintiffs.

Since 2004, Ms. Loughrey has handled cases for children with many different types of special needs including: deaf and hard of hearing, cognitive delays, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, diabetes and attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. While most of these cases involved a denial of a free and appropriate education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, she also represents students involving 504 eligibility issues, suspensions, expulsions, school abuse, bullying/harassment issues and disability discrimination.

Ms. Loughrey is an adjunct professor at Touro University, College of Education, where she instructs students in the teacher credentialing program on special education law. She has also been a guest lecturer on special education laws at San Francisco State University and Chapman University. Ms. Loughrey regularly provides seminars on special education topics to parent organizations.

In 2002, Ms. Loughrey clerked for the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) where she worked on a special education class action law suit in Federal District Court under the mentorship of esteemed child advocate, Diane Lipton. Ms. Loughrey also clerked for the Alameda County District Attorney’s office in the Hastings’ Clinical Practice Program. During the program, she prosecuted the following: misdemeanor jury trial, felony preliminary hearings, and opposed motions to suppress evidence.

Ms. Loughrey’s advocacy work for children with special needs began in 1990, when her oldest son, Steven, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and cognitive delays. Due to her son’s significant medical and educational needs, Ms. Loughrey quickly learned the ropes of advocating in both the medical and school arenas. In 1996, her second child, Grant, was born with similar special needs to his older brother. When Grant was five years old, he was also diagnosed with Autism. In addition to gathering expertise in special education laws, Ms. Loughrey also gained expertise in treatment for children with Autism. Ms. Loughrey has been trained on the application of Applied Behavior Analysis, Discrete Trial Training, SCERTS, and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) which serves her in advocating for children with Autism.

Ms. Loughrey has served on the Board of Directors for several community organizations, including Regional Center of the East Bay and the Mauzy Foundation.

Ms.Loughrey graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Ms. Loughrey is admitted to practice law in both California and Colorado.  She is a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the California Public Defenders Association, The Alameda County Bar Association and the Counsel of Parent Attorneys and Advocates(COPAA).

Justin Arnold, Associate Attorney

Justin Arnold is an associate attorney who represents students and parents from IEP meetings through proceedings with the Office of Administrative Hearings and in state and federal courts throughout California.  He is licensed to practice law in California and Massachusetts.  Justin graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2007.  During law school, he interned at the United States Attorney’s Office in San Diego and the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington D.C.   He graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2004.  During college, he completed an internship with Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.   Outside of work, Justin enjoys surfing and following Boston sports teams.

Robert Woelfel, of Counsel

Robert Woelfel practices trial and appellate litigation. He focuses his practice on civil rights litigation in federal and state court, general education discipline proceedings and tort-personal injury claims. Currently, Mr. Woelfel's practice is based out of South Lake Tahoe.

Mr. Woelfel is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.  He is a member of the California Bar, the Contra Costa Bar Association, The American Trial Lawyers Association, and the Counsel of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.

Carly Christopher, Advocate

Carly Christopher is a law school graduate with an undergraduate degree in Human Development who started her work in the disability community working as a behavioral therapist for children diagnosed with Autism. While she was working as a behavioral therapist she helped launch a Recreational Advancement and Development program which helped children with special needs join team sports.

She has served as a behavioral supervisor for Behavioral Counseling and Research Center where she trained therapists in Discrete Trial Training, Floor Time, RDI, and Applied Behavioral Analysis. Her work included consulting with families and teachers and creating positive behavior intervention plans.

Ms. Christopher has also served as a law clerk for Protection and Advocacy Inc., working with students with varying disabilities.  Her advocacy during law school included being a member of the Disability Law Caucus and attending seminars such as the National Disability Law Symposium.

She is dedicated to working toward inclusive societies, with a focus on children and educational placements.

Siante' Dewberry, Paralegal

Ms. Dewberry is a paralegal in Loughrey & Associate's Oakland, California office. Ms. Dewberry provides case and trial support for attorneys engaged in civil rights litigation, special education due process hearings, tort-personal injury claims, and criminal defense and misdemeanor appeals. Ms. Dewberry works on all stages of a case, from inception to discovery through arbitration, mediation and trial. She has practiced as a paralegal in both federal and state courts as well as in proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Ms. Dewberrry has extensive experience in database management in cases involving large volumes of documents and electronic data. Her primary responsibilities include, conducting research, reviewing discovery, coordinating and responding to discovery requests, compiling and reviewing additional material information, preparing and organizing documents and exhibits for trial and drafting and filing pleadings.

Sianté attended Cal State Hayward where she majored in political science; she received her paralegal certificate from California State University East Bay in 2007. Her prior experience includes work in the Banking and Finance Industry.