The Law Office of Claudia I. Pringles was started in 2008 to provide families throughout Vermont with assistance in special needs planning and broader special needs law matters. My practice has since grown to include estate planning and probate.

As a special needs law attorney, I have the experience, understanding and compassion to provide invaluable insight to help families make decisions with the best interest of their loved ones in mind. This holistic approach involves more than just the competent drafting of legal documents, but takes into consideration the unique needs of the person with a disability and the needs of the family.

I am committed to helping people with disabilities and their families not only in my law practice, but also as a busy volunteer and disability advocate. Since moving to Vermont in 2004, I’ve used my passion for advocacy and my skills as an attorney to advocate for the broader disability community.

Whether I’m advocating for my own daughter at an IEP meeting or testifying at the State House, I know that you can’t ask for more/better services and supports if you do not believe in the potential of the people you are advocating for. While recognizing the challenges that some people with disabilities face, I believe that all individuals should have an opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams.

In the landmark Olmstead  v. L.C. case of 1999, the United States Supreme Court held that unjustified institutionalization of persons with disabilities was discriminatory. The Court further explained that “confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment.”

As a parent, attorney, and advocate, I, too, am guided by the belief that people with disabilities should have access to opportunities and be a welcome part of their communities- whether it be at their own home or with their families, at work, at school or at the local grocery store. Similarly, a consistent theme I hear from families is their wish for their disabled child or grandchild  to be a part of the community and to have access to meaningful opportunities. In truth, advocating for acceptance, opportunities and accessibility transcends much of special needs law.

Whether you need help with special needs planning, general estate planning, navigating the maze of disability services, or a trustee or successor trustee for a special needs trust, I’m here for your family.

Thank you for visiting.

Claudia Pringles, Esq.