A woman in a yellow shirt and glasses types on her smartphone, perhaps coordinating with an education law firm, while an open notebook rests on the table.

Unparalleled Depth & Breadth of Experience

At YM&C, education law is more than just a career – it’s a calling. We proudly provide comprehensive legal services to K-12 public, independent & private, post-secondary schools, and the many organizations that support and advance the education community.
Who We Serve

30 Years of Representing Educational Organizations

Our attorneys are at the forefront of the California education movement, fighting tirelessly for the rights of schools in the courts, via legislation, and before administrative agencies. Today, YM&C provides legal advice and counsel to hundreds of charter and district public schools, independent and private schools, and higher education institutions throughout California and neighboring states.

Learn More About Our Firm
OUR TEAM

Unprecedented Expertise & Resources

A curved wall of bookshelves, reminiscent of an education law firm's library, is filled with books under a bright ceiling, adjacent to a staircase with black railings.
700
Schools, public agencies, nonprofits and insurance companies represented
A person with glasses sits at a desk in an education law firm, using a laptop and writing with a pen, near a large window.
440
Сombined years of experience
Aerial view of a cityscape with tall buildings, including a prominent pyramid-shaped skyscraper, under a hazy sky. Among the bustling structures below lies an eminent law firm, its professionals navigating the intricacies of education policies and regulations.
40
Attorneys

Tireless Advocates

Our team is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of our clients. We offer A-Z legal coverage for every aspect of your organization’s operations.
Meet our Team of Attorneys
James E. Young, in a purple blazer and white shirt, smiles warmly at the camera against a pristine white background.
James E. Young
Founder / Partner
Ellen N. Doty, a woman with wavy, shoulder-length hair, wears a patterned black-and-white zippered top and smiles in front of a light gray background.
Janille Chambers
Senior Counsel
Smiling man in a suit and red tie, facing forward, exuding the confidence of Jerry W. Simmons.
Jerry W. Simmons
Partner
Lisa A. Corr, a smiling woman with wavy brown hair, is elegantly dressed in a dark blazer and a necklace. She stands against a plain background, radiating confidence and poise.
Lisa A. Corr
Partner
A smiling woman with long, wavy brown hair and a white blouse under a dark jacket.
Kaela Haydu
Partner
Paul C. Minney, a man with grey hair and glasses, is smiling warmly in his blue suit jacket and white shirt against a plain background.
Paul C. Minney
Founder / Partner
Sarah J. Kollman, a person with curly hair, stands confidently in a dark blazer and light top, gazing into the camera with a neutral expression.
Sarah J. Kollman
Partner
Anthony Serrao, with short brown hair, smiles warmly at the camera. Dressed in a black suit, crisp white shirt, and a patterned tie, he exudes confidence and charm that make him instantly approachable.
Anthony Serrao
Partner
Annabella Yousif, Esq., is a woman with long wavy dark hair and glasses, wearing a blue sweater, poses in front of a white background.
Annabella K. Yousif
Associate
John C. Lemmo, with short gray hair, dons a dark blazer and light shirt as he smiles warmly at the camera against a plain background.
John C. Lemmo
Partner
Sarah Bancroft, a woman with curly dark hair, glasses, and a dark blazer, smiles at the camera against a plain white background.
Sarah Kalas Bancroft
Senior Counsel
Julio N. Colomba, a man with a beard, smiles warmly while wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and red tie against a gradient background.
Julio N. Colomba
Senior Counsel
Drew K. Rymer, in a navy suit with a light blue shirt and tie, smiles warmly at the camera.
Drew K. Rymer
Partner
Janelle A. Ruley, with short hair and glasses, beams at the camera wearing a patterned top under a dark blazer.
Janelle A. Ruley
Partner
Ashley De Vance, with long braided hair and a bright smile, dons a black blazer and blue top against a plain background.
Ashley De Vance
Associate
Empty classroom with colorful lockers in the background and chairs stacked upside down on wooden desks, reflecting efforts to reduce risk and manage crisis in educational spaces.
A hand arranges wooden blocks, one showcasing an icon of a person holding scales, symbolizing justice or balance—much like the careful equilibrium maintained in independent study.
An adult and a child with a yellow backpack, possibly navigating custodial disputes, walk up the steps toward the entrance of a modern building with large glass windows.
A young girl with a backpack waves goodbye to an adult in a car outside a school building, while other students walk toward the entrance—creating a scene that underscores the importance of wage and hour compliance for school staff.
A group of people sit at a conference table with laptops, participating in a video call with colleagues on a large screen, ensuring compliance with the Brown Act for transparent and open public meetings.
Students and parents gather outside an elementary school building on a sunny day, some entering the main entrance while others walk along the sidewalk, as staff ensure smooth operations and wage and hour compliance among employees.

Education & Training Opportunities

Explore Our Training Opportunities
Navigating the Storm: Strategies to Reduce Risk and Manage Crises
Governance with Integrity: Ethics Training for Charter School Boards
Caught in the Middle: Legal Guidelines & Best Practices for Addressing Custody Disputes
Webinar
Navigating the Storm: Strategies to Reduce Risk and Manage Crises
On-Demand
Governance with Integrity: Ethics Training for Charter School Boards
On-Demand
Caught in the Middle: Legal Guidelines & Best Practices for Addressing Custody Disputes
Immigration Enforcement Notifications and Expanded Scope for Caregiver Authorizations
Changes to the Brown Act: SB 707 Becomes Law
New Law Prohibits Warrantless Immigration Enforcement in Schools
Legal Alert
Immigration Enforcement Notifications and Expanded Scope for Caregiver Authorizations
Legal Alert
Changes to the Brown Act: SB 707 Becomes Law
Legal Alert
New Law Prohibits Warrantless Immigration Enforcement in Schools
FROM OUR CLIENTS
Mary Searcy Bixby
Founder, President and CEO, Altus – The Charter School of San Diego
“Operating today’s charter schools holds a unique set of challenges that are becoming progressively more technical. Excellent legal support requires a current, in-depth understanding of all legal aspects relating to education and, specifically, charter schools. Young, Minney, and Corr (YM&C) are superior in terms of having a broad knowledge base and a keen understanding of the political and practical processes needed to support charter schools during this turbulent and confusing transitional period. This firm is client-centered, professional, reasonable, highly ethical, and always offers a representation of which one can be proud. YM&C has our organization’s highest endorsement.”
Cameron Curry
Cameron Curry
Retired Executive Director, The Classical Academies
“YM&C is the legal firm I turn to for professional, accurate, and timely information on all matters related to charter schools. In the past 17 years, I have relied on their specific and strategic advice on topics ranging from Board development to human resources, charter renewals, and regulatory nuances of the Education Code. Not only is the YM&C team knowledgeable, but they are also trusted members of my team that I can turn to and know that the support and information that I am receiving is the best! ”
Arina Goldring-Ravin
Executive Director, Los Angeles Leadership Academy
“I have been working with YM&C for some time. I appreciate their diligence, professionalism, and extraordinary efforts to assist their clients. They employ highly qualified attorneys with expertise in special education, governance, human resources, charter renewals, and labor relations. I am very satisfied with the support they provide.”
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