Ellie R. Austin

Education: 

B.A. Humboldt State University, Geography magna cum laude (2007)

J.D. Drexel University School of Law (2011)

M.P.A. University of Oregon (2016)

Areas of Expertise:

Collective Bargaining

Personnel

Title IX

Website Accessibility

Experience: 

Ms. Austin’s practice focuses on collective bargaining negotiations and personnel matters. She assists school districts, county office of education, and community college districts in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, resolving grievances and unfair practice charges, and handling personnel matters. Ms. Austin also assists clients with Title IX and Clery Act compliance, as well as investigations of alleged discrimination or harassment. Ms. Austin also assists clients with website accessibility issues.

Prior to joining SCLS, Ms. Austin practiced special education law representing public school districts at a law firm in Southern California for over 3 ½ years, where she worked extensively on matters pending before the California Office of Administrative Hearings. She developed expertise in analyzing special education documents, including IEPs, multidisciplinary assessments, and transition plans, for legal compliance. While in law school, she interned at a human rights NGO in Thailand teaching English to refugee women and Thai schoolchildren. Her capstone project for her M.P.A. degree involved a qualitative research study which identified common barriers facing community college students in Oregon as they transferred to four-year institutions.

Ms. Austin is a member of the State Bars of California, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

Year joined SCLS:  2017

Ellie R. Austin
School and College Legal Services of California
5350 Skylane Boulevard
Santa Rosa, California  95403
T: (707) 524-2690
F: (707) 578-0517
eaustin@sclscal.org