Ms. Cynthia J. Waterson's experience in the field of developmental disabilities spans over 20 years. While working on her undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach, she interned at Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona. She then worked for the Coastline Community College, Adult Education at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. Her senior project took her to the Devereux Foundation in Santa Barbara for a six-month internship. Following an intensive training program in behavior modification, she worked for the next seven years as a behavior specialist with children and adults with developmental disabilities in community group homes and day programs. The following eight years found her at the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center as a Service Coordinator. Her interest in the legal system involving her consumers landed her in law school in 1993. While working full time and taking classes at night at Western State University, College of Law in Fullerton, Ms. Waterson (then Cynthia Beatty) graduated in May 1997 and passed the July 1997 California State Bar Exam.
Following her admission into the California State Bar, Ms. Waterson worked for the Los Angeles County Council as litigation attorney representing the Department of Children and Family Services. She then accepted an offer by the Lanterman Regional Center to return as contract attorney to support the legal needs of their consumers living in state developmental centers. The Law Office of Cynthia J. Beatty opened in 1998. Ms. Beatty joined partnership with Ms. Pat Huth in 2001 and the firm evolved into Beatty & Huth, LLP. Ms. Beatty married in 2002 and the firm again evolved into the current Waterson & Huth, LLP.
Ms. Waterson's primary practice areas of interest include conservatorships, Special Needs Trusts, guardianships, civil commitments, and elder law. Her pro bono work includes providing services to the Alliance for Children's Rights Guardianship Project in Los Angeles and volunteering for the Compton Courthouse Conservatorship Clinic.
