Our Story
Lawrence M. Siegel has been an attorney and advocate for children with special needs for over thirty-five years. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his work and is a Fulbright Scholar Specialist in Special Education. He and Patricia E. Black provide a comprehensive set of services to children and their families. We have a deep respect for each other and are colleagues and friends.
Siegel & Black is the only law firm in the Bay Area offering comprehensive legal services in the fields of special education and child protective service matters.
- Objectivity: Our philosophy is to provide you with an objective analysis that takes into account both the strengths and the weaknesses of your case. It is easy to tell a client what s/he wants to hear; it is an attorney’s duty to present clear and objective options, reflecting a logical analysis of the case.
- Access: One of the frequent complaints about the legal profession is that attorneys “do not listen.” We make a fundamental commitment to listen to you so that we can represent you fully and effectively. When you call or write us we will respond. You will never feel “out of the loop.”
- Innovation: We are dedicated to providing you a straightforward assessment of all legal issues as well as a variety of options for resolution, consistent with your budget. We also recognize that legal issues affecting children and families cannot be viewed in isolation-there can be complex social and emotional components to each case.
- Understanding/Sensitivity: There is something very special and important about representing children and their families; we know this professionally and personally and will assist you with all the care possible, knowing this is not merely a job.
- Professional Contacts: We are connected to hundreds of professionals in adoption, child protective services matters, and special education, including psychologists, special education assessors, child and family therapists.
- Expertise: We have published books and articles on the law and have written and helped enact new laws in the field. We teach the law we practice and frequently are asked to speak about the law. We are child welfare specialists and are trained in mediation. We have been appointed by courts to represent minors in custody, guardianship and child protective services cases. We have been given numerous awards for our advocacy.
- Legal Costs: We know how quickly legal costs can add up and we will discuss with you, before you commit to working with us, anticipated legal fees, how those fees can be reduced and/or how those fees can be reimbursed where appropriate.
Our Mission
To provide the highest quality legal representation to the children and families we serve.
Our Team

