ABOUT US

I am not only a trial lawyer and policy advocate.  I am a spouse, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a mentor and a community volunteer. First and foremost, I am a parent. 

My parenting journey is unfamiliar to most, but likely similar to yours in some way. I am the proud parent of two beautiful neurodiverse sons. I’ve spent their entire lives trying to best diagnose, understand, treat, support, educate and love them. If you are on this path with me, you know that their needs change at every age and stage, and their differences show up in ways that constantly surprise you. You also know that their diagnoses don’t limit them.  It is the systems and structures around them that create their barriers. 

My journey led me to COSpedLaw. It is the culmination of many years of litigation experience, zealous advocacy and voluntarism. Sharing what I know and what I’ve learned along the way is my passion. I welcome the opportunity to serve as a resource for you and your family, to advocate for the special education and related services to which your child is entitled, and to continue to fight for those entitlements in whatever hearing office or court of law is required. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Carleigh graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in American Studies and a certificate from the Hesburgh Program in Public Policy, as well as Case Western Reserve University School of Law where she was selected to the National Order of Barristers. She began her legal career in Washington, D.C. in 2000, and moved to Colorado in 2003. She has been licensed to practice law in Colorado, Maryland and the District of Columbia and was nominated by her peers and selected to the 2009 and 2010 Colorado "Rising Stars" Lists in SuperLawyer Magazine and 5280. 

Carleigh worked as a trial lawyer across various practice areas and gained experience prosecuting employment and workplace discrimination claims and personal injury matters, as well as defending complex commercial claims and construction defect lawsuits.  Upon the birth of her first son, she embraced her passion for philanthropy and voluntarism and redirected her skills and expertise into various leadership roles for several Denver nonprofits. Her years at the Colorado Children's Campaign opened her eyes to the diverse needs of Colorado’s children, especially those children who face the greatest barriers to good health and educational opportunity.  

In a volunteer capacity, Carleigh served the Junior League of Denver Foundation Board of Directors in multiple roles over several years, including board president. She served as a member of the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation Circle of Care Council, the Colorado Children’s Campaign Circle of Friends Leadership Board, YouthRoots Board of Directors, and was an active participant in Mile High United Way's Women United, among others. In addition, Carleigh is a former president of the Junior League of Denver and a current sustainer. She is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Havern School, an amazing learning institution dedicated to serving children with neurodiverse learning profiles through small group instruction and integrated therapies.