Lawyer Spotlight – Pro Bono
ATLANTA—Womble Carlyle attorney Christine Lawson’s approach to pro bono work combines the knowledge of an attorney advocate with the passion of a concerned parent.
Lawson provides pro bono legal guidance to parents of autistic children as they work to get the best possible educational services for their loved ones. It is a process Lawson knows first-hand, as she is the mother of two children diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
“Autism is a really scary thing. On top of that, not knowing how to navigate the educational system can be daunting,” Lawson said.
Children with autism need to get an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which specifies how the child is to be treated and educated. Lawson said that determining what needs to be done and how to do it can be overwhelming for parents. Also, most of the services also have specific requirements, such as certain assessments or tests that must be completed in order for the child to receive those services.
“Schools aren’t always going to be helpful,” Lawson said. So she gives pro bono counsel to parents as they explore and determine the exact IEP that is best for their child. She said her status as an attorney can be persuasive when dealing with school officials.
Lawson largely has sought out pro bono clients on her own. She has connections with a number of autism support groups in the Atlanta area, and they act as referral sources. She even handed out contact information at church.
Her first piece of advice for parents and guardians just starting the IEP process is that knowledge is critical.
“Educate yourself on all the services available,” she said. “Find out which evaluations you need to ask for.”
Christine Lawson is an experienced product liability litigation attorney who focuses her practice on the defense of tobacco companies in smoking and health litigation. She has defended manufacturers in complex cases in which medical and scientific facts were at issue, including in mass tort and class action litigation. She practices in Womble Carlyle’s Atlanta office.
Lawson provides pro bono legal guidance to parents of autistic children as they work to get the best possible educational services for their loved ones. It is a process Lawson knows first-hand, as she is the mother of two children diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
“Autism is a really scary thing. On top of that, not knowing how to navigate the educational system can be daunting,” Lawson said.
Children with autism need to get an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which specifies how the child is to be treated and educated. Lawson said that determining what needs to be done and how to do it can be overwhelming for parents. Also, most of the services also have specific requirements, such as certain assessments or tests that must be completed in order for the child to receive those services.
“Schools aren’t always going to be helpful,” Lawson said. So she gives pro bono counsel to parents as they explore and determine the exact IEP that is best for their child. She said her status as an attorney can be persuasive when dealing with school officials.
Lawson largely has sought out pro bono clients on her own. She has connections with a number of autism support groups in the Atlanta area, and they act as referral sources. She even handed out contact information at church.
Her first piece of advice for parents and guardians just starting the IEP process is that knowledge is critical.
“Educate yourself on all the services available,” she said. “Find out which evaluations you need to ask for.”
Christine Lawson is an experienced product liability litigation attorney who focuses her practice on the defense of tobacco companies in smoking and health litigation. She has defended manufacturers in complex cases in which medical and scientific facts were at issue, including in mass tort and class action litigation. She practices in Womble Carlyle’s Atlanta office.
