Overview
Davina Harden has acted as counsel to California public school districts, county offices of education, private schools, and charter schools for 30 years. She advises on all aspects of education law and employment law and collaborates with clients to find practical, innovative, and cost-effective solutions. Ms. Harden is recognized throughout California as a leader in the field. She works closely with boards of trustees and administrators to provide advice and representation that satisfy the client’s goals.
Ms. Harden has advised on charter school issues, personnel matters including accommodations and employee discipline, as well as student matters, including student rights, enrollment, complaints, and misconduct. Other areas of focus include public governance issues; conflicts of interest; the Brown Act; the California Public Records Act, public employee rights; employment discrimination, and sexual harassment. Ms. Harden specializes in transactional matters, including negotiating, drafting, and reviewing agreements. Ms. Harden is an experienced investigator who conducts and oversees investigations and counsels clients on conducting their own investigations, including pursuant to the Uniform Complaint Procedures and Title IX.
Ms. Harden has been advising chartering authorities since the early days of the Charter Schools Act and is a recognized statewide expert in charter law. She has successfully represented school districts and county offices of education in numerous complex charter matters. Her work includes all aspects of charter law, including acting on initial and renewal petitions and development of dependent charter schools, negotiating memoranda of understanding and operational agreements with charter operators, and advising on charter school oversight and the revocation process. Ms. Harden also assists clients with charter school Proposition 39 facilities issues. Additionally, she is a highly sought-after presenter on charter school topics, including at state-wide conferences such as the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and California Latino School Boards Association (CLSBA).