Katie M. Clancy, Attorney

Katie's work as a Special Needs Planning attorney evolved from her early background in Estate Planning Law, as she began to represent families who had loved ones with special needs. After then becoming a Mom to a child with special needs in 2009, she decided to devote her legal career to representing families in the special needs community. Katie does this by guiding parents and adults with disabilities through the decisions they face as their child grows and reaches certain milestone years and life events, and offering options to address each challenge along the way. As a parent, she realized the specialized knowledge and resources available to families seeking information about benefits and planning was severely lacking. So she created a non-profit group (“Informed Parent Series”) whose mission is to provide specialized information to parents. The Informed Parent Series went on to sponsor a range of seminars covering psychological testing, educational advocacy, vision therapies, legal and financial planning, dyspraxia and apraxia, autism, the language of disability, and many other topics. Katie has built a robust network with other professionals in the special needs community so she can connect her clients to the other unique resources they need without delay. Her approach to Special Needs Planning is forward-thinking, all-encompassing, and always with a parent's perspective and deep compassion.

Experience
Katie is a Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners. Prior to starting Clancy & Associates, Ltd. in 2001, Katie was an associate with the Chicago law firms of McDermott, Will & Emery, and Drinker Biddle. Katie also completed two internships with The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Katie was a judicial extern for Federal Judge Ronald Guzman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Katie is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Wyoming.

What is a Special Needs Planning Attorney?

Speaking Experience
Katie is an expert and frequent speaker at parent support groups, local and national disability organizations, and therapeutic day schools on the topic of special needs trusts and transition / life planning, government benefits, ABLE accounts, Letters of Intent, and financial planning for special needs families. As a Special Needs Planning Attorney, member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and parent, Katie is passionate about providing guidance to special needs parents on formulating plans for your loved one, whether that person is a child or an adult. As a parent of a special needs child, her first-hand knowledge in understanding the stress and concerns of special needs children and parents make her uniquely qualified to offer practical, sound advice in navigating complex planning issues. She has presented for Easter Seals, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, Loyola University at Chicago’s Mustard Seed Project, Elmhurst Parents Support Group, Spot On Therapies, LLC, Aspire, the Informed Parent Series, and more. In addition, she participates in numerous special need resource fairs. See our events page for upcoming dates. If your organization would like to have Katie speak, please contact us.

Education
Katie earned her law degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois with a Concentration in Benefits Law from the School’s Masters of Law Program, consistently making the Dean’s List. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Business Administration and Professional Writing from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the University of Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland (formerly St. Patrick’s College).

Interests
In her spare time, Katie loves to hike with her husband Ed, son John, and dog, read, play tennis, and swim with the US Masters Swimming Association. Her favorite “lawyer” movies are “A Few Good Men”, “Adam’s Rib”, and though not really a lawyer movie, “Shawshank Redemption.”

Read more about Katie Clancy in the EPWNG (Exclusive Professional Women's Networking Group) member spotlight.

Volunteer Work

Aspire Ambassador, a non-profit serving individuals with developmental disability
Founder of Informed Parent Series, a non-profit providing education to parents of children with disabilities
The College of DuPage Foundation, Board Member.
10% of Clancy & Associates, Ltd’s work is provided to clients in need on a pro-bono basis.

/

“We put off pursuing a special needs trust for our son for years, mainly because we convinced ourselves it would be such a daunting and complicated process. Katie was recommended to us through an organization that services young adults with Autism, so we felt confident that she might understand the journey we’ve been traveling. When we first sat down with Katie, we immediately knew she would be the best person to guide us through what we thought would be an arduous process. The word that best describes our experience is safe. We felt safe with Katie. She provided wise council and many resources to assist in making difficult decisions. All aspects of the process were presented in an organized and systematic way. Katie guided us through the process, which had previously seemed so overwhelming and complicated, in a way that was concise, clear and easy to understand. Most importantly, we trusted that Katie understood our concerns as parents raising a young man with Autism. We walked out of her office feeling confident we had coordinated the best plan for our son’s future, and highly recommend her services to anyone looking for an experienced guide to walk them through the estate planning process.”

- S. Family

/

"We put off establishing a Special Needs Trust for our son, because we were sure it would be very difficult and overwhelming. However, Katie guided us all the way through it in a professional and caring manner. She was also very helpful creating our Legal Will. We thank you, Katie, and highly recommend your expertise and legal knowledge."

- Ken & Kathy D.

/

“Katie Clancy was highly recommended to us by our son’s SSI Appeals Attorney. We knew it was critical for us and for our family to update our 14 year old Estate Planning and Special Needs Trust but we didn’t have the energy or appetite to go through the complicated process again. Working with Katie Clancy made all the difference. She helped us understand current government benefits that were available for our son, provided invaluable suggestions and revisions that addressed life planning needs and guidance on how to write a Letter of Intent. The whole process of updating our Estate Planning and Special Needs Trust has tremendously relieved our stress and anxiety over our son’s and daughter’s financial future and well-being.”

- G. Family

/

“Katie is knowledgeable and easy to talk to. We can breathe easier knowing that we have a plan in place so our child with special needs will be properly taken care of when we are gone. Appointments were simple to schedule and she traveled to meet with us at our financial advisor’s office and at our home. I refer all of my fellow moms who have children with special needs to Katie.”

- Bill & Lori G.

/

"I am so glad that I consulted with Clancy & Associates to review the options available for my son who has autism. I didn’t realize that he can qualify for several benefits from the government when he turns 18. This is a relief to me and great news for my son. I was very comfortable talking with Katie about our family and my son’s history. She is also a special needs parent, so there is so much I did not have to explain -- she just understood. I know there is more for me to do, but having Katie as a guide takes a big load
off my shoulders."

- Jamie M.

/