INTRODUCING ELLEN COOKMAN, JD, LL.M
In 2008 I had burned out of doing patent and securities litigation at a big firm (ugh!) and wanted to transition to
a kinder, gentler practice. I ended up attending a parent support group meeting where an attorney was
discussing special needs trusts, and discovered an area where you get to actually help families, find out who
they love and what they own, while earning a living and raising your own family! I was hooked!
a kinder, gentler practice. I ended up attending a parent support group meeting where an attorney was
discussing special needs trusts, and discovered an area where you get to actually help families, find out who
they love and what they own, while earning a living and raising your own family! I was hooked!
Also, various special needs run in my family–I have family members who have struggled with depression, and
who are on the Autism spectrum, including my older son. So I feel very comfortable with and drawn to the
population.
First, I would encourage them to pursue this field—we definitely need more committed attorneys in this area,
and it can be very rewarding! I’d recommend starting by working for several years under a seasoned attorney
who specializes in this field; there’s a steep learning curve, plus a lot of liability if you get something wrong.
and it can be very rewarding! I’d recommend starting by working for several years under a seasoned attorney
who specializes in this field; there’s a steep learning curve, plus a lot of liability if you get something wrong.
At our firm we encounter many parents whose children have really challenging lives; it can be
heartbreaking. But I am inspired by how these parents (especially the moms) often find a way to apply their
pain toward helping other families in similar situations. For example, some parents create amazing housing
options for those with disabilities, start private schools that serve overlooked populations, or create/contribute
to nonprofits that raise money and perform research in specific areas of disability. I find this remarkable.
heartbreaking. But I am inspired by how these parents (especially the moms) often find a way to apply their
pain toward helping other families in similar situations. For example, some parents create amazing housing
options for those with disabilities, start private schools that serve overlooked populations, or create/contribute
to nonprofits that raise money and perform research in specific areas of disability. I find this remarkable.
Starting my own firm. My family is pretty risk-averse, and though there are lots of lawyers in my family, they
have all worked as an employee of a firm/government/university. It was a big risk to step out there and hang
my own shingle…but now, 10 years later, it’s borne fruit: we’ve grown to 15 team members (including 3
attorneys and 3 paralegals), and we serve clients all over California! I think that’s pretty cool.
have all worked as an employee of a firm/government/university. It was a big risk to step out there and hang
my own shingle…but now, 10 years later, it’s borne fruit: we’ve grown to 15 team members (including 3
attorneys and 3 paralegals), and we serve clients all over California! I think that’s pretty cool.
I like going out to tea with friends or reading at home and recovering from the week! And our family also
enjoys doing Escape Rooms.
enjoys doing Escape Rooms.