About David
David D. Garner: Leading Education Law Attorney in Phoenix
David D. Garner is a recognized thought-leader and highly respected legal counsel, renowned for his extensive experience and profound influence within the field of education law. For over two decades, Dave has cultivated enduring, strategic relationships with a diverse range of educational institutions – from traditional public schools and charter schools to private and public post-secondary educational institutions – offering unparalleled expertise across the classroom, the boardroom, and the courtroom.
Dave’s specialized expertise is consistently sought in an outside general counsel capacity, providing crucial support through compliance training, strategic policy-shaping, day-to-day legal advice, and immediate responsiveness to critical emergencies and inquiries regarding all facets of school law. His knowledge encompasses a comprehensive suite of areas, including FERPA, public records requests, open meeting law regulations, student discipline protocols, employment law matters, third-party contract negotiations, First Amendment considerations, rigorous regulatory compliance, and the unique legal challenges presented by students with disabilities.
Dave has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing educational policy across Arizona and nationally, proactively staying abreast of emerging legal developments. He actively issues client alerts and assists schools in developing robust policies and procedures, ensuring administrative and staff training to maintain legal compliance and mitigate litigation risks. Dave’s background as a formidable business litigation attorney further enhances his ability to advocate for schools, skillfully navigating complex regulatory disputes before agencies such as the Arizona State Board of Education (ASBCS), the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
He regularly represents clients in all stages of litigation, administrative hearings, regulatory investigations, compliance reviews, and investigations, demonstrating a strategic and results-oriented approach. Dave possesses particular expertise in addressing issues related to students with disabilities, frequently representing schools in critical due process complaints and advising on responding to state administrative complaints and those filed with the Office for Civil Rights. His ability to translate complex legal concepts into actionable strategies makes him an invaluable resource for schools facing these challenging situations.
A prolific presenter on educational law issues, Dave consistently travels across the country to deliver informative and engaging presentations on topics ranging from disabilities and student discipline to student records management and religious expression – and a wide spectrum of related subjects. Dave's commitment to education law extends beyond immediate counsel; he is dedicated to proactive risk management and legal preparedness for schools of all sizes.
Dave Garner has been consistently recognized for his excellence and experience. He has been recognized by Best Attorney USA since 2021 for his expertise in Education Law, and he was recognized by his peers as the **2025 Lawyer of the Year in Education Law in Phoenix**, and was previously awarded the **2023 Lawyer of the Year in Education Law in Phoenix**.
Practice Areas:
- Education Law
- FERPA Compliance
- Student Discipline
- Public Records Requests
- Employment Law (School Staff)
- First Amendment Issues
- Regulatory Compliance
- Student with Disabilities Legal Matters
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Awards:
- Lawyer of the Year: Education Law, Phoenix (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Education Law, Phoenix (2023)
- Recognized: Education Law, Practice Area: Government Relations Practice, Practice Area: Commercial Litigation
Affiliations:
- Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2021
Contact Information:
City: Phoenix, State: Arizona, Country: United States
