Law Office of James A. Lester

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and obtained my education in the Detroit area. I graduated (cum laude) from Wayne State University Law School in 1997 and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan that same year. I’ve served as President of the Branch County Bar Association and I’m a former municipal attorney and city prosecutor. I’ve been practicing education law since 2004. During that time I’ve represented clients in hundreds of IEP meetings, student discipline hearings, manifestation determinations and other proceedings all over Michigan, from the Detroit area to the U.P. I’ve also provided special education advocacy training to parent groups, and presented programs about the workings of the special education system at conferences and other events. I have a son who has autism and receives special education services. That’s how I got involved in special education – as a parent first.