About Us

Welcome to the Special Education Division of  the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) contracts with the California Department of Education (CDE) to handle the special education due process hearing and mediation program for California. To view the Interagency Agreement between OAH and CDE click here.

Special Education Brochure (PDF, new window)

Beginning July 1, 2005, the Office of Administrative Hearings began processing Special Education cases. Requests for hearings, requests for mediations, and public inquiries for these matters may be directed to the Sacramento office of the Office of Administrative Hearings as follows:

Special Education Headquarters
Office of Administrative Hearings
2349 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Directions (Google Maps)

Main Telephone Number: 916.263.0880
Main Fax: 916.376.6319
After hours cancellation/settlement line: 916.274.6035

Linda Cabatic, Director and Chief Administrative Law Judge
Judith A. Kopec, Special Education Division Presiding Judge 
Noah Valadez, Chief of Administration
Kay Stubbings, Executive Assistant

Special Education Organization Charts (PDF)

Contact Us via Email
Sacramento (Special Education)

Sacramento Special Education Division Office

2349 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Directions (Google Maps)

Main Telephone Number: 916.263.0880
Fax: 916.376.6319
After hours cancellation/settlement line: 916.274.6035          

Sacramento Special Education Organization Chart (PDF)    

Judith A. Kopec,
Division Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Bob Varma, 
Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Administrative Law Judges       

  • Adeniyi Ayoade
  • Peter P. Castillo
  • Rebecca Freie
  • Gary A. Geren
  • Joan Herrington
  • Deidre L. Johnson
  • Charles Marson
  • Theresa Ravandi 
  • Troy K. Taira

ALJ Biographical Information
Van Nuys

Van Nuys Special Education Division Office

15350 Sherman Way, Suite 300
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Directions (Google Maps)

Main Phone Number: 818.904.2383
Fax: 916.376.6319
After hours cancellation/settlement line 916.274.6035

Van Nuys Special Education Organization Chart (PDF)

Judith A. Kopec,
Division Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Richard T. Breen,
Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Administrative Law Judges

  • Eileen M. Cohn
  • Carla L. Garrett
  • Alexa Hohensee
  • Elsa H. Jones
  • Adrienne L. Krikorian
  • June R. Lehrman
  • Deborah Myers-Cregar
  • Stella L. Owens-Murrell
  • Clara L. Slifkin
  • Marian H. Tully
  • Clifford H. Woosley

ALJ Biographical Information
San Diego (Special Education)

San Diego Special Education Division Office

1350 Front Street, Suite 3005
San Diego, CA 92101
Located in:  The San Diego State Building
Directions (Google Maps)

Main Telephone Number: 916.263.0880
Fax: 916.376.6319
After hours cancellation/settlement line 916.274.6035 

San Diego Special Education Organization Chart (PDF)

Judith A. Kopec,
Division Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Timothy Newlove,
Presiding Administrative Law Judge

Administrative Law Judges

  • Robert Helfand
  • Paul Kamoroff
  • Darrell Lepkowsky
  • Judith Pasewark
  • Susan Ruff

ALJ Biographical Information