About Us

Dannis Woliver Kelley (DWK) is a full service education law firm focused on serving the legal representation needs of California public school districts, county offices of education, community colleges and other educational organizations. Established in 1976, we were the first California law firm to devote its practice to governing boards, public schools and education. With more than 50 attorneys in seven offices across the state, DWK is one of the largest women-owned law firms in the country.

DWK provides trusted counsel and forward-thinking legal solutions on all education law issues from board ethics to students’ rights, collective bargaining to charter oversight, litigation to construction, bond finance to business and technology. Our depth of experience and expertise is unmatched in California and provides an invaluable resource to our clients. As legal counsel to hundreds of districts and county offices throughout the state, we are keenly aware of trends that impact our clients’ interests. We recognize issues that others may fail to spot, and work in an innovative, preventive and practical manner with clients to stay ahead of and resolve issues before they become problematic.

We are a diverse firm committed to excellence in the practice of education law. We offer high-quality, creative, cost-effective, and prompt legal services in every aspect of education law. Our practice groups are comprised of experienced attorneys who possess thorough knowledge of the issues and challenges facing public schools. Our practice areas include:

  • Labor, Employment and Personnel
  • Students and Special Education
  • Board Ethics, Transparency and Accountability
  • Business and Property
  • Public Finance
  • Construction
  • Charter Schools
  • Litigation
  • Community Colleges/Higher Education
  • Public Entities, Nonprofit Corporations and Independent Schools

DWK provides outstanding legal representation and preventive and practical counsel on key issues surrounding your core mission—the education of students.

2023-2024 Ed Lab Law Series: Dates have been released! Register today!

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