Margaret A. Dalton

Law School
University of San Diego

Major Cases
In 2004, Margaret Dalton was appointed director of the USD Legal Clinics, a full service, on-campus law office. She has doubled the number of clinics (now in ten discrete areas of law), which provide intensive legal training for law students, while offering free legal services to lower income San Diegans and veterans. The program was recognized in 2009 with the Bernard E. Witkin Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Law. In 2013, she became the Faculty Director of Clinical and Placement Education at USD School of Law, with academic responsibility for internship programs as well as the clinics.

Professional Background
Dalton practices primarily in special education law. She developed a unique curriculum in special education law more than ten years ago, combining traditional course work with practice. Her education and disability clinic has assisted hundreds of families in San Diego. Many of her former interns are now working in the field, at law firms representing districts and in private practices supporting families. Dalton has received numerous awards, including 2007 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year from the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. She has consulted for the Judicial Council and previously served on the Education Committee for San Diego Juvenile Court.

Professional Affiliations
Dalton is active state-wide as a committee member of the State Bar Trust Fund IOLTA Restructuring Task Force, and locally on the Law Library’s Legal Futures Summit Committee and the San Diego Center for Children’s Clinical and Education Committee. She recently served on the Planning Committee for the state-wide Pathways to Justice Conference, which brought together legal services attorneys in all areas of law. Dalton served on the Office of Administrative Hearings Special Education Advisory Committee from 2010-12. She was a charter board member of the COMPASS Family Center, continuing in an advisory capacity. She received its STAR Award in 2010.

Personal Background
A Southern California native, Dalton is married with two grown children, and three grandchildren.