Special Needs Planning for individuals with disabilities and their families, including special needs trusts, other planning around public benefits and conservatorships, as well as general estate planning and probate services. Mercy is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. She has been named a “Rising Star” by Superlawyers from 2013 to 2016. A Bay Area native, Mercy graduated summa cum laude from the Integral Progam at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and earned her J.D. from U.C. Hastings School of Law in San Francisco. Prior to starting her own firm, Mercy developed her expertise working with Kevin Urbatsch, a nationally recognized expert in special needs and settlement planning and with Sterling “Terry” Ross, whom many consider to be an originator of the special needs trust. Mercy is co-author of the article “Settling the Minor’s Lawsuit: Legal Requirements and Practical Advice” Plaintiff’s Magazine (July 2012). She is also a frequent lecturer on special needs and lawsuit settlement planning issues.