RICARDO J. SOTO
Law Office of Ricardo J. Soto
Ricardo Soto is a sole practitioner, with more than 25 years of experience, advising clients regarding California charter school and education laws; the legal obligations of charter and public schools under state and federal civil rights laws to students, parents and staff; compliance with state and federal laws governing public benefit corporations and their operations, including advocacy and lobbying; and strategic policy advice and support.
Areas of practice
Charter School & Education Law
Student, Parent & Staff Civil Rights
Public Benefit Corporations, Advocacy & Lobbying
Strategic Policy Advice
Law Office of Ricardo J. Soto
333 H Street, Suite 5000 · Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 807-1034 · [email protected]
This website is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
© 2026 Law Office of Ricardo J. Soto
Biography
From 2020 through 2024, Ricardo served as the Chief Advocacy Officer and General Counsel at the California Charter School Association (CCSA or Association). In this role, Ricardo led the Government Affairs, Local Advocacy and Legal Teams. The Government Affairs Team was responsible for advocacy strategy with the Governor’s Office, the California Legislature, the California Department of Education and other state educational agencies concerning charter school priorities and issues. His work with the Local Advocacy Teams focused on supporting charter school members directly with charter school authorizers, including school districts and county boards of education, throughout California. He provided legal advice and representation to the Association on legal strategies to support statewide and regional advocacy efforts, facilities and special education advocacy, the membership, the charter school community, and the Association’s initiatives and strategic objectives. Ricardo also provided legal advice and support for CCSA Advocates, the Association’s 501(c)(4) tandem organization, concerning compliance with federal tax laws concerning candidate endorsements and election activities. Ricardo served as General Counsel for CCSA and chief legal counsel for CCSA Advocates for 13 years.
Prior to CCSA, Ricardo served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education – Office for Civil Rights (OCR) during the Obama Administration from October 2009 through August 2011. In his position, Ricardo provided senior leadership concerning national enforcement priorities, and policy and operational activities at OCR. From 2005 to 2007, Ricardo served as Assistant Secretary and Legal Counsel in the Office of the Secretary of Education for California during the Schwarzenegger Administration where he advised the Secretary of Education and Governor’s Office on legal and policy issues related to elementary, secondary, and higher education. Between 1997 and 2005, Ricardo served in the Office of General Counsel for the San Diego Unified School District, and advised the Board of Education, Superintendent and senior district officials on state and federal laws and policies impacting students, parents, teachers, and schools. Ricardo began his legal career as a Skadden Fellow at California Rural Legal Assistance in Oceanside, and represented migrant farm workers in education, immigration, and employment cases.