Shana Heller ( She/Her )

Shana Heller joined the Office of the County Counsel in 2022.  As a member of the Education Law Team, Shana provides advice to the Santa Clara County Office of Education as well as to local school and community college districts.  As a member of the Public Safety and Justice Team, she advises the County of Santa Clara Office of Diversion and Reentry Services and the Office of the District Attorney.  Before joining the Office, Shana conducted investigations and mediations for the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, with a focus on investigating discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, sex, and disability.  In addition to addressing individual claims of discrimination, Shana conducted numerous systemic investigations regarding racial harassment, sex discrimination in the provision of athletic programs, and the use of restraint and seclusion.  Shana’s professional expertise includes civil rights law and government investigations. 

Office practice areas

• Conflicts and Political Reform Act Team 
• Education Law Team 
• Public Safety and Justice Team 

​​Education

• University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., 2014 
  • Articles Editor, Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law 
• University of California, San Diego, B.A., magna cum laude, 2006 
  • Phi Beta Kappa  

Prior experience

• Attorney at the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (2016-2022) 
• Staff Attorney at the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center (2015-2016) 
• Law Clerk to the Honorable Francis M. Allegra, United States Court of Federal Claims (2014-2015)