Cindy Waterson, an attorney who specializes in special needs law, volunteers her time to take pro bono limited conservatorship cases, which are specific protective probate proceedings for individuals diagnosed with a developmental disability.
With the help of her Spanish-speaking paralegal, Claudia Kennedy, Waterson takes on as many Spanish-speaking cases as she can because of the difficulty of placing such cases. The work involves meeting with families to determine their needs, drafting petitions and related pleadings required for a conservatorship in probate court and representing the client in court.
We talked to Waterson about her volunteer work with PLC.
Why did you decide to volunteer on these cases?
My firm practices in the area of special needs law. This involves advocacy for individuals who are diagnosed with developmental disabilities (i.e., autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy) and their families. My partner, Pat Huth and I, are contract attorneys for the regional centers having actually worked on staff for one of the Los Angeles Regional Centers. Because of our background, I feel compelled to accept as many limited conservatorships from PLC as we can, especially those cases that may involve unusual or difficult issues where the families would have difficulty navigating through probate court alone.
Do you find the work rewarding?
We are very blessed to work in the area of special needs. My partner and I, as well as our staff, are committed to assisting families. All of our families experience unique challenges surrounding their child’s disability and they struggle every day to navigate the maze of systems and services necessary to ensure that their child lives a full life. It is very rewarding for me personally when I am able to lead them through this process.
Would you recommend other attorneys volunteering for PLC?
I feel strongly that all attorneys should offer pro bono services. When I first graduated from law school, the bar recommended that I offer at least 50 hours of pro bono service every year. I can’t say that I meet that goal every year, but by volunteering for PLC and other pro bono agencies, I am able to work toward that goal. My personal goal is to maintain a minimum of 1 pro bono active case at all times. I urge all attorneys to volunteer their services. It is vitally important for our communities that we provide legal services to the underserved, but it is equally important to ourselves as professionals to “pay it forward.”
What is your impression of the work PLC does to help the community?
PLC does an amazing job providing outreach and legal services to our community. I am always impressed by the quality of the intake documentation when I receive a new case. Orange County is very lucky to have this organization as an advocate.
If you are interested in taking a conservator case, see PLC’s most recent case list or contact Senior Lead Attorney Leslie Lindgren.