Expert. Trusted. Rooted in Community. RELATIONSHIP DRIVEN
Legal services in:
- Education Law
- Environmental Law
- Municipal Law
- Public Policy
- Nonprofit Law
- Small Business Advisor
About Gabriela m. Torres Law
Education
At Gabriela M. Torres Law, I advocate fiercely for students and families navigating the special education system. I offer statewide representation in special education due process hearings, IEP meetings, suspension and expulsion defense, and manifestation determination reviews. With federal district court experience under the ADA and IDEA, I also support clients in securing temporary restraining orders when urgent educational needs are at stake. Whether you’re facing a school district that won’t evaluate your child or need help advocating for appropriate services, I’m here to guide you. I’ve also advised private faith based schools on compliance with disability law, including Section 504, the IDEA and the ADA.
Environmental
I bring more than a decade of experience in environmental litigation and policy to my practice, with a focus on the Clean Water Act, CEQA, and cross-border pollution issues. From working with the State Lands Commission and the Coastal Commission to coordinating litigation strategy as policy director for Surfrider Foundation, I’ve partnered with government agencies and community organizations across California. My experience includes both state and federal court litigation and public testimony on complex environmental issues. Whether you’re a community member, nonprofit, or agency facing legal or regulatory challenges, I can help you develop a strategy rooted in both advocacy and practical experience.
Public Agency / Municipal
With experience as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of National City, I’ve advised public agencies on a wide range of legal and governance matters—including planning, law enforcement, ethics, and public land use. I have guided public bodies through meetings under the Brown Act, advised on conflict of interest rules, and helped shape major land-use initiatives like the Balanced Plan with the Port of San Diego. I also have litigation experience in state court and understand the day-to-day demands of public agency operations. If you are a city, board, or commission in need of trusted legal counsel, I offer practical, policy-aware guidance grounded in real-world experience.
Non Profit
Having held leadership roles at major nonprofits like Disability Rights California and Surfrider Foundation, I understand both the mission-driven nature of nonprofits and the legal frameworks that guide them. I advise nonprofit organizations on governance, employment issues, confidentiality, ethics, and compliance. Whether you're starting a new nonprofit, navigating complex HR concerns, or looking to strengthen your board operations, I offer strategic legal support informed by firsthand leadership experience. Let’s work together to help your organization thrive while staying mission-aligned and legally sound.
Public Policy
Public policy isn’t just part of what I do—it’s woven into every aspect of my legal career. I have extensive experience working at the intersection of law and policy, collaborating with members of Congress, U.S. senators, and state policymakers to advance systemic solutions. My work spans education equity, environmental justice, municipal governance, and disability rights. I help clients develop thoughtful, legally sound strategies that drive real change. Whether you need support shaping legislation, responding to regulatory developments, or building a legal strategy with policy impact, I can help you turn advocacy into action.
Small Business Advising
Small business advising isn’t just about transactions—it’s about protecting legacy, navigating complexity, and building a sustainable future. I work with family-owned, culturally rooted, and community-based businesses to address the unique legal challenges they face. This includes support with ownership and trust disputes, contract negotiation and enforcement, business dissolution or restructuring, succession planning, and litigation defense. I also help clients preserve intellectual property, resolve landlord-tenant issues, and manage financial distress. My perspective is shaped in part by my own roots—my mother was a dressmaker who ran her own small business, and I saw firsthand the pride, struggle, and resilience it takes to keep a family business alive.
Whether you’re stabilizing a long-standing business, responding to a crisis, or planning for growth, I bring a relationship-driven, culturally informed approach that prioritizes what matters most—your family, your vision, and your place in the community.
Contact Us
4225 Executive Square
Suite 600,
La Jolla CA 92037
619.343.3376
Gabriela M. Torres Law
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
