The C&A New Employee Spotlight
We are excited to welcome Jennifer Sabourin to the C&A Law Firm! Read her interview in our new spotlight series where feature a new employee each week!
What do you do here at Clancy & Associates Ltd.?
I am an associate attorney, practicing primarily in the areas of educational/IEP advocacy and special needs/trust planning.
Tell us about more yourself, specifically career history, motherhood....
I earned my undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and almost immediately after, I earned my Master’s Degree in Special Education from University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in transition planning and technology. I taught special education across grades 4-12 in three suburban districts before earning my licensure in school administration as a Director of Special Education. In 2015, my husband and I adopted our daughter Ellie, who has Down syndrome. I worked as a special education program supervisor in a cooperative for three years before becoming a Director of Student Services in a public school district. I had my son Charlie three weeks before I started law school at Loyola University Chicago, and my son Adam was born the day after winter final exams during my second year of law school. I graduated with my J.D. in 2021.
Sounds like you have an exciting work history, what is the best career lesson you have learned?
Listening is key- the best work I do often results not from something I say, but from what I hear from my students, families, colleagues, or clients. Listening intently helps me to better understand issues that may be causing conflict and allows me to be a better problem-solver. I work very closely with families to navigate tricky or complicated situations, and my goal is to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
I truly love the work that I do! Working with and advocating for people with disabilities is something I’ve done for my entire life. My older brother has a developmental disability, and now I have a daughter with special needs. The work is personal to me- I support families because it’s what I want for my own family. I enjoy being able to contribute to the special needs community; I benefit, too, because I learn something from all of the families that I meet.
What do you like most about your new role?
I love that this role allows to be bring all of my experiences together to support families of people with disabilities. I have the school lens from my work as a teacher and administrator, I have the legal lens, and I also am a parent and sibling of individuals with special needs. I really enjoy getting to know our clients and hearing their stories.
What is something most people do not know about you?
This is tough! A fun fact about me is that I have studied abroad in Spain, Argentina, South Korea, and Italy. I met Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Rome.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I volunteer in animal rescue, so I can often be seen with my dogs. My family likes to travel when we’re able to, and the kids definitely keep us busy!
Thank you Jen, we are very excited to have you on our team. Stay connected with us by following on social media and signing up for our newsletter where you'll find more information, education and awareness on special needs planning topics that impact you!
I am an associate attorney, practicing primarily in the areas of educational/IEP advocacy and special needs/trust planning.
Tell us about more yourself, specifically career history, motherhood....
I earned my undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and almost immediately after, I earned my Master’s Degree in Special Education from University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in transition planning and technology. I taught special education across grades 4-12 in three suburban districts before earning my licensure in school administration as a Director of Special Education. In 2015, my husband and I adopted our daughter Ellie, who has Down syndrome. I worked as a special education program supervisor in a cooperative for three years before becoming a Director of Student Services in a public school district. I had my son Charlie three weeks before I started law school at Loyola University Chicago, and my son Adam was born the day after winter final exams during my second year of law school. I graduated with my J.D. in 2021.
Sounds like you have an exciting work history, what is the best career lesson you have learned?
Listening is key- the best work I do often results not from something I say, but from what I hear from my students, families, colleagues, or clients. Listening intently helps me to better understand issues that may be causing conflict and allows me to be a better problem-solver. I work very closely with families to navigate tricky or complicated situations, and my goal is to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
I truly love the work that I do! Working with and advocating for people with disabilities is something I’ve done for my entire life. My older brother has a developmental disability, and now I have a daughter with special needs. The work is personal to me- I support families because it’s what I want for my own family. I enjoy being able to contribute to the special needs community; I benefit, too, because I learn something from all of the families that I meet.
What do you like most about your new role?
I love that this role allows to be bring all of my experiences together to support families of people with disabilities. I have the school lens from my work as a teacher and administrator, I have the legal lens, and I also am a parent and sibling of individuals with special needs. I really enjoy getting to know our clients and hearing their stories.
What is something most people do not know about you?
This is tough! A fun fact about me is that I have studied abroad in Spain, Argentina, South Korea, and Italy. I met Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Rome.
What do you like to do when you are not working?
I volunteer in animal rescue, so I can often be seen with my dogs. My family likes to travel when we’re able to, and the kids definitely keep us busy!
Thank you Jen, we are very excited to have you on our team. Stay connected with us by following on social media and signing up for our newsletter where you'll find more information, education and awareness on special needs planning topics that impact you!
