Lyndsey A. Gallagher is committed to protecting the civil and education rights of children with disabilities and survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
About Lyndsey
From initial diagnosis to graduating high school, she’s experienced in every phase of the special education process, including preparing for and attending IEP meetings, resolution sessions, mediation, Due Process hearings, SST meetings, developing 504 plans, and litigating Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title IX, and California Unruh Act claims. Lyndsey is passionate about this field with the ultimate goal of educating and training parent-clients to become effective advocates for their children.
In 2019, Lyndsey joined the Zalkin Law Firm, P.C. in San Diego – the premier firm representing survivors of sexual abuse as co-counsel on a multi-plaintiff action. This experience inspired her to focus on trauma-informed care and the intersection of survivorship, special education and mental health needs. In December of 2022, her role at Zalkin expanded into an “Of Counsel” position to work specifically on cases involving school districts. Understanding the complexities of special needs children, Lyndsey is passionate about serving the most vulnerable among us who are often targets of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying.
Prior to specializing in civil and education rights, Lyndsey was a Certified Law Clerk for a private business law firm and the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office. While at the DA’s office, she joined the Special Victims Unit and helped develop the Arson Task Force launched in 2010. At the end of her clerkship, Lyndsey was hired by the District Attorney-elect in a rare opportunity to work part-time for the DA’s office while starting her family.
Lyndsey is a proud graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society – graduating with honors. In addition, she received her Juris Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law. Lyndsey is licensed to practice in the U.S. Southern, Central, and Eastern District Courts. Lyndsey is a member of the Council of Parent Attorney Advocates (COPAA), California Attorney Parent Association (CAPCA), the National Crime Victims Bar Association (NCVBA), the Ventura County Bar Association, and was a member of the William L. Inn of Court in her third year of law school, awarded the top five students in her class.
Lyndsey serves on the Board of Directors for Raising Hope in Thousand Oaks, providing services to foster youth transitioning out of the system. Lyndsey is the proud mom of three boys who are her world. She also enjoys yoga, singing, and going to the beach with her boys.
Specialties
Protecting rights for children
Civil and Education Law
Trauma- Informed Assessment and Care
Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Advocating for
Survivors
of Religious Cults/High Demand
Organizations