Our Team
Cedar Law’s experienced school law attorneys have diverse backgrounds and specializations but share a passion for equity, diversity, and education. Read more about our education attorneys below.
Attorneys
Lara Hruska
Founding Partner · WA, OR
Founder of Cedar Law and a trial lawyer representing students and families in high-stakes education and civil rights litigation.
Mike Smith
Partner · WA
More than 20 years of experience across education law, representing children and families in abuse, harassment, discrimination, and civil rights cases.
Elicia Johnson
Partner · WA
Focuses on employment disputes involving educators and school professionals, plus civil rights, tort, and select special education matters.
Ryan Ford
Partner · WA
Represents students and parents across public, charter, private, and higher-education settings, with deep experience in special education and federal appeals.
Whitney Hill
Partner · WA, OR
With Cedar Law since 2019; particular expertise in matters involving Deaf students, parents, and teachers, and in restraint-and-isolation cases.
Alex Hagel
Partner · WA, OR
UW Law graduate who trained in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Luke Hackenberg
Senior Associate · WA
Joined Cedar Law from Seattle University School of Law (cum laude) after three years with the firm as a law student.
Sydney Arizona Bay
Senior Associate · WA, OR
Former middle school science teacher turned trial lawyer; previously a Washington Assistant Attorney General. Se habla español.
Rachel Sugar
Associate · WA
Longtime advocate for equity and justice; previously defended low-income tenants with Tacoma’s Housing Justice Project.
Kaitlin Leifur-Masterson
Associate · WA
Became an attorney in 2024 through Washington’s APR 6 law clerk program after more than a decade in the legal field.
Chloe Palmer
Associate · ID, WA
Studied special education at Ohio State and represented students at disability nonprofits before joining Cedar Law; based in Boise.
Abigael (Abbey) Schulz
Associate · WA, OR, ID
Abbey is a civil rights advocate inspired by her brother’s experiences with disability in the education and criminal legal systems. She is licensed in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Anna “Mickey” Moritz
Of Counsel · WA, OR, ID
Ph.D. in Neuroscience and UW Law graduate (Order of the Coif); serves on the executive committee of the WSBA Civil Rights Law Section.
Collins Saint
Of Counsel · WA, OR
Nationally recognized education and civil rights attorney, mediator, and trainer, with a focus on disability discrimination and protections for LGBTQ+ youth.
Courtney Bhatt
Of Counsel · WA
Courtney focuses on workplace investigations, employment disputes, and education law, including special education and school district compliance. She has also provided pro bono legal services to children with special needs and their families.
Michelle Mentzer
Emeritus
Served nearly 17 years as a Washington administrative law judge, the last decade devoted solely to education cases.
Support Staff
Amy Schley
Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Holds an Advanced Paralegal Certificate and supports Cedar Law’s day-to-day operations.
Mikena Wemple
Paralegal
Mikena is a paralegal and special education professional with more than 28 years in education, including district-level leadership since 2010. She reviews IEPs, evaluations, and behavior plans through educational, behavioral, and procedural lenses.
Emily Knoblock
Paralegal
Emily has worked in special education since 2018, including four years as a classroom special education teacher. She has helped families understand and navigate the special education process since 2021.
Sara Dickson
Paralegal
Sara joined Cedar Law in September 2026 with more than 20 years of paralegal experience. She pairs a psychology background with rigorous legal training and genuine empathy for clients.
Rae Podrebarac
Office Manager
Keeps Cedar Law’s daily operations running, bringing a family tradition of social-justice work to the team.
Ariana Hussing
Law Clerk
Ariana has worked on behalf of students, families, and people navigating public systems for nearly a decade. Since graduating from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2025, she has been a law clerk at Cedar Law, working on cases involving special education, employment discrimination, and the use of restraint and isolation on students.
Julie Brigham
Legal Assistant
Julie comes from a 20-year hospitality career and brings a passion for community-building and human connection, along with a deep desire to be of service, to her position at Cedar.
Julie Huynh
Paralegal
Julie is a certificated paralegal, bilingual in English and Vietnamese. She brings a trauma-informed approach to her work and is dedicated to supporting families from all backgrounds as they navigate the education system. Her goal is to help ensure that parents and their children have the resources they need to succeed.