I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support and dedication that Mark Woodsmall has shown to my family. From the very beginning, Mark has been more than just an advocate -- he has been a true ally and guiding light through one of the most challenging journeys we've faced. Mark's deep understanding of special education law and the complexities of the school district system has been nothing short of life-changing for our family. He has stood firmly by our side, ensuring that our son's needs were not overlooked or minimized. When the district tried to cut essential services, Mark skillfully and compassionately stepped in, using his expertise to protect our child's rights. What truly sets Mark apart is his ability to see through the misleading language and tactics often used by districts to deny or delay services. He doesn't just respond -- he educates and empowers families like ours to understand the process and stand strong. Mark Woodsmall is, quite simply, a Godsend. His integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to children with special needs make him a rare and remarkable advocate. Because of his efforts, our son continues to receive the support he needs to thrive -- and for that, we will be forever grateful. read more

It took me a while to write this because I have such big feelings about Woodsmall Law Group and our entire experience with them. Mark Woodsmall and his amazing team fought for our daughter. Mark met us where we were at-which was pretty defeated at the time- not just with legal expertise, but with personal insight and emotional sensitivity. He and his team walked us through every step of the process, with thoroughness, detail, communication, patience, warmth, and kindness. He once said, "I know you like to know how the soup is made...", and took the time to explain to me the intricate and oftentimes overwhelming legal jargon, history and process'. A little about us-our daughter was diagnosed with Autism, OCD, ADHD, Tic Disorder, Excoriation, MDD and GAD when she 14. She was and is also considered a "2-E" or "twice exceptional" student, meaning simultaneously intellectually gifted and neurologically, mentally and emotionally challenged. Despite her challenges in almost every other aspect of her life, she thrived academically, musically and artistically, receiving a 4.4 GPA almost every year in high school. Because of her grades and like many girls with neurodivergence, her ability to mask, public schools overlooked how much she was suffering on a day to day basis. She struggled with large student populations, constant noise with no where to hide, the ruminating thoughts that come with OCD about every single stimulus she was exposed to, executive functioning, etc. Autism made it hard to navigate friendships among a giant pool of people that left her neurological system in overdrive daily. She needed an alternative setting to learn, but the public school system could not offer an alternative learning space that also offered the academic rigor that she needed and deserved. Mark and his team did not over promise, were real with us and fought for us with integrity, calmness, and dedication. They always remembered that the outcome we wanted was for our daughter, and he would often ask how she was doing. Our daughter was able to attend a school with a smaller class size, AP classes, art and music offerings, a larger support team, and has been thriving since-not just academically, but she has made friends, plays high school beach volleyball, DRIVES!, and comes home most days pretty calm. This outcome would not have been possible without Mark Woodsmall and his team. We are immensely grateful and can not thank him and his team enough! read more

Mark and his staff are amazing! Legal matters are stressful. Family matters are stressful. Combine the two and it is a wonder they are able to handle things with such grace and professionalism. Our son Nicholas was falling behind in school and my wife and I could not figure out why. When we went to the teachers and principal of his school for some answers, we were given a lot of empty promises and wishful thinking (translation: bureaucratic delays). Mark identified the quickest route between our worries and a true solution and he fought with the school on our behalf. Empty promises get you nowhere and mark made sure they set goals that could be measured and met. It took some time, but the end result is that our son is no longer the exhausted, beaten down, and helpless student that he once was. In addition, we are no longer the exhausted, beaten down, and helpless parents that were unable to guide him out of his dilemma. It turned out that our son had a learning disability that required early intervention from the school and that no matter how much effort we were putting in as parents, it was not enough to correct the course he was on. Because Mark worked with school administrators and staff to implement a plan of action, our son is now an honor society student who has the confidence and strength to succeed in school on his own. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving our child and giving his life a new direction. We hope this review gives others an idea of how valuable Mark and his staff are to families facing similar challenges. read more

Mark, Robert and the whole staff are nice, compassionate people. They care about you and your family first! They are not what you expect from your stereotypical attorneys. They we re able to assist me and my family today and moving forward. We will forever be thankful to everyone here, thank you! read more

El Sr. Mark Woodsmall es en nuestra opinión el mejor abogado de educación especial. Él nos representó en el distrito escolar y centro regional. El obtuvo los servicios que mi hijo necesitaba. Nos hizo sentir seguros y que no estábamos solos en el proceso. Es muy profesional y tiene mucha experiencia. Sabe escuchar tus preocupaciones, es muy honesto y se preocupa por el futuro de tu hijo, pero, sobre todo, es un gran ser humano. Nosotros realmente apreciamos su trabajo y le damos las gracias por todo su apoyo. Si estas buscando un abogado que te represente en la educación especial de tu hijo, contacta a Woodsmall law group. ¡El Sr Woodsmall es el mejor! read more

If you have a bright child with learning differences who is struggling in public schools, I urge you to have a consultation with Mark Woodsmall. Under the representation of his firm, your child's educational trajectory can make a complete 180 for the better. As my husband said, it was the best money we ever spent. read more

We have been referred to Mark by a very close friend, and for sure we were struggling with school and school district, my son was already started to be very depressed. When I met Mark I knew that I am in a safe hand. He is very kind, knowledgeable, humble, and like mentioned in all other reviews he is a parent like us, he feels our pain and knows exactly our needs. He can fight for you! We were very thankful to find him and his team, we worked with Kelly. Everything was accurate, on time, organized and efficient. We highly recommend Mark and his team. read more

My family and I have worked with Mark Woodsmall and his law firm for the past eight years. We could absolutely not be happier. Any family who is approaching legal issues as it relates to their child and the LAUSD is going to be nervous and scared as they approach this daunting task. Mark and his associate Abigail are true professionals that will help you navigate the complexities of IEPs and education law. Both of them were super well organized, ensuring we did not miss any deadlines and their attention to detail is second to none. Now that we have gone through the IEP process several times with Woodsmall, we know for sure that we made the right decision all those years ago. Anybody who doesn't select this law firm is making a mistake. They are extremely passionate about protecting the legal rights of children with disabilities and it shows with their overall attention to detail, level of communication and commitment to excellence. My family highly recommends Woodsmall Law! read more

One of the most astonishing things about meeting Mark Woodsmall was not that he was easily the most knowledgeable person we'd met in his trade, nor was it his impeccable record for achieving outstanding results for children with disabilities, though both those are true. It wasn't that he was beating out the four other top legal teams in Southern California -- all who bragged to be the best. The most astonishing thing about Mark Woodsmall was his humanity. We picked Mark because 1) we knew he had first-hand knowledge of what we were dealing with, having a 15-year-old non-verbal autistic son. 2) We picked him because he had answers that instantly simplified problems and moved an impossible situation in an immediate direction towards change. and 3) When talking to us parents, Mark made it clear that our son, Marcello was his client. That he came first, a promise he's kept. My only regret is that I didn't find Mark sooner. He has created possibilities for our son that I didn't even know existed. In the short time, he has been operating as Marcello's representation, he has gone to bat with both the school district and the state, and in both cases, he has come out with everything we asked for and more. I will tell you that I know there are lawyers out there who will bulldoze their way through the system, and you might get your needs met. But Mark is a cut above that. Every room that I have entered with Mark he instantly disarms folks and opens the conversation up in such a way that terms are agreed to with almost no argument. The office and his staff are all a reflection of his standards. All knowledgeable, and capable in a way that makes it easy to move forward, something that is so difficult to do in the world of disabilities. Whenever we've found ourselves in a moment where our son might be losing services, or worse, might be floundering due to the lack of services, just the mention of the Woodsmall Law Group instantly changes the difficult dialogue with whatever institution we are facing. Every filing, every motion, every approach in which we needed help, was done in such a way that future pitfalls were eradicated. On a personal note, The last few years has been our most difficult -- we walked into the Woodsmall offices with some really big problems. We had been with lawyers who had done nothing for us but collect fees and give us the bare minimum in exchange. With one look Mark let us know how much we were missing out on, and that we needed to work toward it, something he has personally done ever since. He has changed the trajectory for our son and continues to do as much. It just doesn't get better than Woodsmall Law Group, it definitely doesn't get better than Mark Woodsmall. read more

Mark Woodsmall and Nelson Chu have helped our child get the proper education. Mark knows the legal side and emotional side of fighting for the rights of a child and he won't take no for an answer. I cannot say enough about his professionalism, you wont be disappointed with the Woodsmall Law Group. If I could I would give them a million stars read more

I would highly recommend Mark Woodsmall and his Law Group, to anyone who has a special education related legal problem. After literally a decade of fighting with LAUSD to provide our nonverbal child with autism an appropriate education, Mark and his group were able to cut through the red tape and contentiousness and forge an agreement that allowed Dov to complete his education. Mark is a brilliant lawyer and at the same time a down to earth guy and dad, who has tremendous empathy and compassion for the disabled students he represents. His calm, unflappable demeanor puts all parties at ease, belying his deft legal skills and amazing knowledge of the law as it pertains to the educational rights of disabled students. We will always be grateful to Mark Woodsmall for his untiring work and perseverance that made Dov's education possible. Dov will benefit from this for the rest of his life. read more

Woodsmall Law Group - Mark Woodsmall, Esq - Special Education Near Me - Pasadena, California

Mark Woodsmall is the greatest as is his staff. I am always treated with great kindness and respect. They all truly care about my daughter. I highly recommend Woodsmall Law Group. read more

Woodsmall Law Group - Thank you for helping me and my baby!! - Special Education Near Me - Pasadena, California

He is the best there is! Mr. Mark Woodsmall and his team have provided services for almost a decade to my family. His collaborative approach was the deciding factor in choosing him. It is not only his knowledge but his compassion and personal parent perspective that makes him the best there is! His office staff is friendly, receptive and has shown consistent unwavering dedication throughout the years. We are forever grateful! read more

Supporting a child with autism can be tricky without pursuing legal avenues. Taking on a huge institution on top of that would have no doubt put us at a disadvantage if it weren't for the expertise of Mark Woodsmall and his team. He and his office have the accumulated experience to know how to help the novice navigate these complex systems and get the desired result. I'm incredibly grateful for the work they did preparing and representing us and cannot recommend them highly enough. read more

Mark Woodsmall and the entire staff at Woodsmall Law Group have been our son's advocate for years and have helped us provide our son with the education he deserves. This can be a stressful and emotional process and they are all very compassionate and provide calm guidance. Mark is committed to making sure our son succeeds and we trust him completely throughout the process. I cannot say enough good about Mark Woodsmall and his entire group. read more

Yesterday I had an initial consultation with Mark after months of frustration going back and forth with my son's school district with issues pertaining to his special education services. I was very nervous, being a teacher myself for many years I'm not used to being out of my element in anything education related. Mark put me right at ease and was so patient in listening and addressing all my questions and concerns. Being in the education field myself I was also very impressed with his knowledge of not only special education law, but also of the workings of individual local school districts. He wasn't pushy and was extremely honest about the realities of my situation. I walked in feeling pretty hopeless and walked out feeling confident because I knew I had found someone I could trust to fight by my side. read more

My son has been represented by Woodsmall Law Group on multiple occasions over the last 6 years, from helping us deal with the ever so confusing IEP process, to providing information on setting up a Special Needs Trust for my son's future. I have always been extremely satisfied with their services every time. Mark Woodsmall, and the associates who have worked with us, have all been excellent! Always very professional, yet personable, informative, and highly knowledgeable about special education law, and so much more. Mark has helped us with past IEPs, and has represented my son on (2) separate occasions, in which, a Due Process was filed, but did not end up going to court, because Mark was able to successfully settle on an Agreement with the Pasadena Unified School District, that resulted in my son finally getting the support he needed to, at the least, have a chance to succeed. What is really unique about Mark, is the vast knowledge he possesses, that exceeds beyond just Special Education Law. Mark has a deeper understanding of WHAT constitutes an "individualized " education plan...and how the goals, objectives, and "other related services" CAN, and SHOULD, be supporting that plan... As a pediatric OT AND mother, I was most impressed with Mark's ability to carefully break down, synthesize, and make sense of my son's IEP, from the lens of an occupational therapist, speech therapist, educator, and parent, who also fought for his child's needs too. With that, he knew exactly what was needed for my son in regards to academics, to social/emotional growth, and so much more. We are truly grateful, and so appreciate what Mark, his team of attorneys (esp. Nelson and Justin), and staff have done for my son...We have always felt very supported and understood, even in the most difficult of times for my son and family, which will ALWAYS be remembered...The commitment to their clients, and passion for what they do, has surely made us clients for life! read more

Woodsmall Law Group is the BEST Special Education Law Firm out there! Mark Woodsmall, Esq. takes a personal interest in all of his cases. He understands what we as Parents are going through and pursues what our child needs to make progress in their educational setting whether that be the General Education classroom with additional supports (aides), Designated Instructional Services, Assessments, Evaluations , or a Special Day Classroom or even a Non Public Agency. Woodsmall Law Firm is in your child's BEST interest. read more

Mark and his team are outstanding professionals. It's very clear that Mark cares for his clients and is passionate about his work. Mark's reputation with school districts, legal professionals, schools and service providers is impeccable. It's a reputation that is well-deserved. His service is customized and he takes the time to learn about the children and families that he serves. He is a compassionate and diligent attorney. I could not recommend him more highly. read more

Angels on Earth! Yup, they are real, and they all work at Woodsmall Law Group. Head angel, Mark Woodsmall is the very best at what he does. I feel like he and his team were angels that were heaven sent to me. After years of battling it out with our school district, I had given up. I was emotionally and physically spent from the battlefield that was the IEP process. I clearly remember sitting at my computer in tears. I just couldn't believe that I would not be able to help my son by getting the services he needed to succeed in school. A friend of mine recommended Mark to me. I went online and started to research him and his firm. He had nothing but praises, one review after another. This can't be real, I thought. I was afraid of believing that there was actually someone in the world able and willing to help us. I met with him shortly after that. He was so helpful and informative. His voice was so serene and his demeanor kind and compassionate. I think he knew that I was broken and at the end. He brought me back to life. He assured me that not only was their hope but that he was willing to help us, that he WANTED to help us. All this sounds really good. I hope this is real. (still doubting that he wasn't just another attorney out to make a profit) It was a process, but Mark fought tenaciously for my son. We were already at the settling stage in our case when our family was hit with devastating news from my son's medical team. Right as I had gotten off the phone with the doctor Justin, (our co-counsel from Marks office) had called me to go over the settlement. I was obviously very emotionally impacted. I shared with him the news. I told him that I would call him back as I needed some time to digest what I had just been told. Justin was very empathetic and kind at a moment when I needed it. Mark then called me, and what happened next was pure divinity. He asked if there was anything he or his team could do for us, he was so concerned for my son. I could here pure heartfelt compassion in his voice. At that moment we weren't client and attorney. We were just 2 parents talking to one another. Now, for the second time, Mark had brought me back to life. He wanted me to know that Woodsmall law group was there for my son and that they cared for him very much. He helped me process what I had just been told. Mark is not just an attorney. He is a parent. He is someone who is passionate about helping the disabled community. He is kind and genuine. He is an angel. The entire office staff is wonderful. Veronica, Maria, Justin, thank you all so much for your support. And so here I am, at my computer, in tears again. Only this time they are tears of joy. Mark went back and amended the settlement (which he didn't have to do, but he wanted to make sure that Jerry would receive what he needed) I got everything that I wanted from the school district and then some. Thank you, Mark and associates, for making our family apart of yours and for helping Jerry get the services that he needed. We are very fortunate to have met you! Blessings to you Mark, and your magnificent law firm!!! Jerry Sanchez and Family read more

After years of frustration with my sons school district a good friend of mine referred me to Mark Woodsmall. My friend formerly worked for a local school district and knew Mr. Woodsmall as opposing counsel for years and let me know that he was very professional and always represented the families he worked with well. From the moment I started discussing my case with him and his associate Grace Paek, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had been alone fighting with the school district for 6 years and anyone in that position knows it takes a toll on you. They were both so kind and ready to jump in and help me get my son everything that he needed. My case settled in a mediation which was a long day of back and forth between us and the district. After years of the district screwing my son over at one point I broke down and thought they wouldn't agree to some important parts of the proposal, Mark again was so kind and calmed my nerves. Ultimately, he was able to settle the case and I am beyond pleased with the outcome! I wish I had contacted him sooner, I am confident that my son would be in a much better position if I had but I am so happy that he will be moving forward with supports in place that will help him. Mark really is amazing, it is clear that he loves his work and is happy to be there to help the little guy's. I can not thank both Mark and Grace enough! read more

We have worked with Mark and his group for seven years. He has a gentle and respectful style that is effective and seems to be appreciated by his colleagues. He has the rare talent of diffusing tension and creating a peaceable environment, while being direct and able to clarify issues to the other professionals or to us. He is compassionate and has an extensive knowledge of law and interventions. He understands families in crisis. And his staff are kind and committed, as well. Our son would not have had a chance without Mark's expertise and commitment. It's so frightening to even think of it. He and his staff have been our son's angels. It's a really hard job and they do it with grace. We're beyond grateful for their dedication. read more

Mark Woodsmall is a brilliant, compassionate, committed attorney who represents the special needs community. I'm grateful for the professionalism, integrity, and empathy that Mark and his team of associates have shown my family. THANK YOU, Mark! read more

Mark and his staff are the absolute best. We have worked with Mark for over 8 years and we are so grateful to have such an amazing special education attorney on our side. He is committed to the families he represents and has his clients best interests at heart. Thank you Mark!! read more

I was very stressed out as a parent when we were looking for a lawyer to represent our son for special education services. We came across 4 different law firms that were very aggressive and pushing to file a law suit due to the many violations present with my son's case. One even filed the suit before even getting our consent. Mark Woodsmall was the only lawyer that took the time to give me several free consultations and help me reflect and think about what was going on and see where we wanted to be with the district in respect to the relationship we wanted with them for the benefit of continued support for our son. Once this law firm joined us at the table and gave their name, everything changed. That told me a lot about their existing reputation and the respect this agency has in connection with handling matters for special education. Within a time span of 1 year, we had around 4 IEPs and we grew to have a family oriented relationship that continues to this day even with the absence of an attorney at the table due to the professional and expert support services provided by this firm, collaboration in everyone's part, and willingness to let go of the past and just move forward. I have peace of mind now and I am more knowledgeable of how to manage my son's IEP support needs due to the services provided by this firm. We figured out a way to come up with the money to retain them and this was the best investment in my son's education. My son is excelling with the increased support identified and solid goals established through the IEP process, and our family is very grateful for the support and professionalism provided. Mark Woodsmall and his office will forever be in our hearts and prayers. They are truly an amazing team and I recommend them to all of our families and teams. read more

As an attorney myself, I couldn't have been more impressed with Mark Woodsmall's knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to helping our son get the services and placement he desperately needed. As anyone with a Special Needs child knows, these conflicts with school districts, regional centers, and services providers are extremely difficult and emotionally damaging, but with Mark's patience, expertise, and humor, we were able to get through these trying times and get an unbelievable result for our son. If you need someone in your child's corner, you couldn't pick a better advocate than Mark Woodsmall read more

We highly recommend Mark Woodsmall and his staff. We have an LAUSD child that is not autistic nor asperger. Our daughter just has her own set of learning difficulties and social struggles. It took us ten years to find the right school for her. We followed all of LAUSD rules and regulations never knowing that we could have asked for help and avoided many years of tears and frustration. Once we met with Mark Woodsmall we were put at ease and we let him handle all the rules and regulations. He understood our daughter and what she needed. He fought hard and we are thrilled that she will be finishing her high school years in the school that is perfect for her. We tried to do it on our own. We were turned away by LAUSD. Mark accomplished in six months what we could not do in ten years. We trust and respect his know how, his skills, his tenacity and mostly his compassion and understanding for the misunderstood child trying to fit in an LAUSD box. We are incredibly grateful to Mark Woodsmall for the possibilities for our daughters future. read more