Fighting for Students’ Rights: Matthew B. Wallin

At Wallin & Klarich, we work hard to maintain our stellar reputation as a top criminal defense firm. However, helping our clients get a fair shake from the criminal justice system isn’t all we do. We also do our part to ensure students in our community are getting a chance to grow and continue their education through our community outreach and scholarship programs. Most importantly, we defend students having to face unfair disciplinary hearings that could lead to their expulsion. 

For 10 years, partner Matthew B. Wallin has expanded our deep commitment to students and their right to quality education. Mr. Wallin believes that students represent the best hope for a bright future in our community, and proves that with every education defense case he tackles. He brings a wealth of experience to the disciplinary process for students and works with clients facing expulsions at the high school and university level. 

Whether the case involves a hearing before an administrative hearing panel, a high school district board or a Title IX hearing for alleged violations of the student sexual harassment policy at a university in Orange County or Los Angeles, Mr. Wallin is dedicated to ensuring his student clients receive the best possible resolution to their cases, and that they can continue their education without the challenges of having a disciplinary action on their academic record.

“My job is to advocate for my client and his or her family,” said Mr. Wallin. “My duty is to help ensure that a school’s disciplinary process is fair to the student. I am there to help the family navigate and understand the seriousness of the proceedings. In addition, my representation includes preparing the most effective defense and mitigation on behalf of my client.”

This year, Mr. Wallin has achieved major success with huge decisions for his clients helping ensure that the students he represents are not deprived of their education.

Why Education Defense Is Important

Students may only be suspended or expelled for certain acts enumerated in the California Education Code (EC) 48900 and 48915. A small number of these offenses, known as “zero tolerance” offenses, require mandatory expulsion by the school district [Education Code (EC) 48915(c)]. However, for most offenses, school officials have significant discretion over whether to expel a student. 

While California law provides some protections and due process rights for students facing discipline, suspensions and expulsions are grave threats to those students’ futures. Many school officials are simply unaware of students’ legal protections or just outright ignore them. Frequently, a school’s disciplinary process fails to conform to fundamental concepts of fairness and due process, and the result can be disastrous for that student’s education goals.

For example, a high school student who has a suspension or expulsion on his or her record may lose the opportunity to attend the university of his or her choice. Similarly, a university student who is denied the rest of his or her education for a violation of university policy could lose out on a degree, and therefore might not be able to get the job he or she needs to start a productive career.

That is why Matthew Wallin is so dedicated to fighting for fairness in the education discipline arena. He knows that many school districts and university boards fail to protect the rights of the accused, and without the help of an experienced education defense attorney, students, and their families lose out on tremendous opportunities later in the student’s life.

Contact the Education Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich

If you are a student facing academic discipline, or your child is a student who could be expelled, you should not hesitate to contact Matthew Wallin and the education defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. In our more than 40 years of experience, our attorneys have successfully defended student clients and their academic records, keeping the doors of opportunity open to them once they move on from school. Our attorneys are always available to answer your questions and will use all of our legal skills and knowledge to help you receive the best possible outcome in your case.

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, West Covina, Torrance, and Victorville, there is an experienced and skilled Wallin & Klarich education defense attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.

Contact our offices today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free, no-obligation phone consultation. We will get through this together.