ADAMS ESQ has expanded to seven locations throughout California, Nevada and Washington. Our attorneys, advocates and staff are committed to improving the lives of children with disabilities by advocating for a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).
The firm was founded by a parent — someone who learned the special education system from inside it, and has represented families in it ever since.
Jean Murrell Adams opened the law firm of ADAMS ESQ in October of 2002. Ms. Adams’ experiences in advocating for her child with exceptional needs compelled her to establish a special education law practice. She received her B.A. in 1983 from Princeton University and her J.D. in 1986 from the University of Southern California Law Center.
Prior to founding ADAMS ESQ, Ms. Adams formed the litigation department at DreamWorks SKG, where she managed all litigation matters relating to the film studios’ theatrical, television, home video and interactive gaming divisions worldwide. She was recruited to DreamWorks from Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., where she served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel.
A frequent lecturer and writer, Ms. Adams has authored numerous newspaper, blog and magazine articles and co-authored book publications including the Internet Guide for California Lawyers, 3rd Ed. (2001) and The Road to Independence: 101 Women’s Journeys to Starting Their Own Law Firm, published by the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession (2011). KQED public radio in San Francisco and Wells Fargo Bank honored Mrs. Adams as their Women’s History Month Unsung Hero for her service on behalf of low-income children with special education needs. She was invited to the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. to lecture on her successful result in the Ninth Circuit L.J. v. Pittsburg Unified School District case.
One practice area. Seven offices. Twenty-four years.
— admitted in California, Nevada and Washington
Members of our staff are bilingual. Look for the Habla español badge below.
Gina Lowe has dedicated her career to serving the needs of children, devoting her practice to special education law, where she advocates for families trying to navigate the complicated special education process. Prior to focusing exclusively on special education law, Dr. Lowe spent five years as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an active member of the Alabama, Nevada, and New Mexico State Bars, holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and a law degree from the University of Washington.
Wendy manages all operations of ADAMS ESQ, including oversight of accounting, document management, information technology, human resources, benefits and marketing. She was instrumental in locating new office space for the firm and managing the entire move. Wendy holds a Paralegal certificate and has an extensive background in office management.
Since joining ADAMS ESQ in 2009, Karla has become the heartbeat of the law firm. Her duties include communicating with opposing counsel and the Office of Administrative Hearings, overseeing day-to-day office operations, calendaring, client relations, filing and serving all legal documents, and handling oral and written translations (Spanish/English).
Melissa joined the ADAMS ESQ team in July 2018 as our Records Clerk and Legal Assistant. She is bilingual in Spanish and has over 10 years of customer service and office management experience. Her duties include records requests, document management, translations, and assisting attorneys with filings.
Crystal joined ADAMS ESQ in 2022. She studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice and her Paralegal Certificate. Born and raised in Las Vegas, she has volunteered throughout the valley, including assisting elementary school teachers in the classroom. Raised by Spanish-speaking parents, she is bilingual.
There is no cost and no obligation. Please gather relevant documents (most recent evaluations and most recent IEP) for a free attorney case evaluation.
