Aaron Clefton is the Founder of Clefton Disability Law. He is dedicated to advancing the civil and economic rights of persons with disabilities and all people who are vulnerable or impoverished.
Aaron is lead counsel on all ADA and FHA housing cases for Clefton Disability Law. He has over 20 years working in the field of disability rights, 8 years of that as an attorney.
He has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer honor of “AV-Preeminent” in 2021, and every year since, given to attorneys “who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers.” That same year he was made an Associate Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society established to reflect the new face of the American bar. Membership is limited to 3,500 Fellows, “representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.” In 2022 Aaron was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine.
Aaron is a Phi Beta Kappa Honors graduate from the University of Washington, earning double Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Comparative History of Ideas. Aaron graduated with his Juris Doctorate from John F. Kennedy University in 2017, where he was awarded multiple scholarships. These honors included an award for commitment to the civil rights of disabled persons and honors for academic merit. Aaron also served in John F. Kennedy University’s Housing Advocacy Clinic, representing low-income and disabled tenants. Clefton Disability Law is the successor law firm to Rein & Clefton and the Law Offices of Paul Rein, which originated over 50 years ago. Aaron was the editor for attorney Paul Rein’s overview treatise on disability access laws and cases, Full and Equal Access: Disabled Rights Litigation in California.
Aaron’s passion for fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities is inspired by the memory of his father, Kim Clefton, who struggled with disability access issues while living with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (1950-1993).
Emily O’Donohoe has worked as a paralegal with Aaron Clefton since 2014. She graduated from Carleton College in 2003 with a B.A. in History, and she received her Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2008. Emily was admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association in 2008. Prior to her work with Aaron Clefton, Emily worked as a brief writer for a social security disability advocacy group.
Magistrate Alex Tse found that Ms. O’Donohoe is an “experienced and capable paralegal” and whose “current and former colleagues rave about her work.” Sanchez, et al. v. North Beach Alliance, LLC. Case No. 23-cv-02361-AGT Dkt. No 23 (N.D. 10/22/24).
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Her family’s interests include traveling, cooking together, playing games, and soccer.
Copyright © 2024 Clefton Disability Law - All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters, and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Please note that the attorneys of this office are licensed to practice law in the State of California only. We cannot give advice about legal matters in any other state, or take cases outside of California.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.