Lawrence Siegel, Adjunct Professor

Adjunct Professor Lawrence Siegel graduated from UC Berkeley in 1968 where he also received a Masters in American History. He earned his JD from UC Hastings College of the Law.

Professor Siegel has worked in the field of special education for 30 years, focusing on both individual cases and systemic reform, particularly in the field of deaf education. He was appointed by Willie Brown to the California Special Education Commission and served for eight years. He wrote the nation's first "Deaf Child's Educational Bill of Rights" enacted in South Dakota and subsequently in numerous other states.

Professor Siegel has published extensively including the recently completed "The Human Right to Language" in which he argues that the 1st Amendment should provide for a constitutional right to language particularly as it relates to deaf children. He was appointed to an honorary chair at Gallaudet University, 2004-2005. He founded and continues to run the National Deaf Education Project and advises state coalitions throughout the nation on reform activity. In 2008-2010 he will establish the first graduate program in Public Policy for deaf people at Gallaudet University.

Professor Siegel lives in Fairfax, California and has two children. He enjoys the symphony, reading, Cal sports, and long walks.