Annual Legal Conference

 Every year, special needs families face legal questions that can feel overwhelming.

• How do I protect my child's Katie Beckett or NOW/COMP waiver?
• Does my child need a guardian?
• What are tips applying for SSI or SSDI? 
• What happens if my child is denied Katie Beckett or the NOW/COMP?
• Do I need a Special Needs Trust?
• What are FSS funds? 
• What is an ABLE account? 
• What happens if someone calls the police on my child during a meltdown?

Our annual Legal Conference for Special Needs Families was created to help families find answers to these questions and to give parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn directly from experienced attorneys and judges who understand the unique challenges facing the disability community.

Accurate, Timely Legal Information 

There are no pitches, no vendor booths, and no pressure to hire an attorney. 

The conference is intentionally focused on education and community.

Our goal is simple: to give special needs families practical and accurate legal information they can take home and use. In the day and age of social media and AI, there is A LOT of misinformation. While most of it is well intentioned, it can have devastating effects, such as being denied Medicaid waivers or incorrectly setting up a Special Needs Trust. 

The conference is offered completely free of charge because access to reliable legal information should not depend on whether a family can afford another expense.

What Families Learn

Our seasoned attorneys address some of the legal and practical issues that special needs families encounter throughout their loved one's lifetime, including:

• Special Needs Trusts — Understanding first-party and third-party Special Needs Trusts and how they can help protect eligibility for public benefits. How Special Needs Trusts work with ABLE accounts. 
• Guardianship & Alternatives — Understanding what happens when a child with a disability turns 18 and exploring guardianship, conservatorship, and less restrictive alternatives.
• SSI, SSDI & Public Benefits — Understanding Social Security benefits and important considerations for individuals with disabilities. Tips and tricks for applying. 
• Katie Beckett and NOW & COMP Appeals — Understanding common pitfalls and what families can do when critical Medicaid services or waivers are denied.
• IEPs & Educational Rights — Learning about legal protections and advocacy strategies within the special education system.
• Disability & the Criminal Justice System — Understanding what families should know when a loved one's disability-related behaviors result in police involvement.
• Planning for the Future — Addressing the legal and financial considerations that can help families prepare for the years ahead.

Intentionally Intimate

We intentionally keep the conference small and personal. We create a safe environment for our attendees. 

Families often have questions that are deeply personal about their child's future, finances, independence, safety, healthcare, and legal rights. A smaller setting allows parents and caregivers to ask questions, engage directly with speakers, and connect with others who understand what they are experiencing.

For us, community service is not simply about reaching the largest possible audience. It is about creating a space where families feel supported, heard, and empowered.

We Invest In Our Community  

We are proud to hold the conference at SPECTRUM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families.

We also partner with members of the special needs community to make the day welcoming and meaningful for families. From coffee provided by Brightside Cafe, a local business that employs individuals with disabilities, to treats from Sweet Alchemy Farmacy, created by a special needs mother, the conference reflects the community it is designed to serve.

A Day Dedicated To Special Needs Families On This Journey  

The Annual Legal Conference is a way for us to step outside the traditional attorney-client relationship and serve the broader special needs community.

There is no expectation that attendees become clients. There is no sales pitch waiting at the end of the day.

Just information.

Real conversations.

Practical guidance.

And a room full of people who understand.

Because protecting special needs families is our mission.