From child advocacy to law school, online and part-time JD student pursues a bigger voice for kids

For Natalie Winzenried, advocating for children has never been a side passion — it has shaped her career, her family and the future she’s building.

Based in South Jordan, Utah, Winzenried works as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) coordinator, where she trains and supports volunteer advocates who collaborate with Guardian ad Litem attorneys in abuse and neglect cases. The work is demanding, emotional and deeply personal — and it’s also what brought her to the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University to work toward her Juris Doctor. 

“Law school has always been a dream of mine, but the timing never felt right. As a mom of two young kids working full-time, I did not think law school would be possible. This spring, I decided it was finally time to make this dream a reality,” Winzenried said.

As a full-time working mom of two young kids, Winzenried once believed the dream of becoming a lawyer would have to wait. But in 2025 when ASU Law announced its online, part-time JD program focused on public interest law, she saw an opening that felt like fate. Now, as part of the first-ever cohort, she’s preparing for a future in child welfare advocacy, special education and disability rights — with a growing interest in Tribal law, too.

 “After learning about ASU Law’s online JD program, I was immediately drawn to ASU Law’s focus on public interest. My career goals are focused on public interest work, particularly in the area of child welfare advocacy. The program’s structure and courses stood out to me as a great fit for what I am most passionate about,” she said.

Note: Answers may have been lightly edited for length and/or clarity.

Question: How did your personal or professional journey bring you to ASU Law?

Answer: My journey to ASU law has really been shaped by my passion for advocating for kids.  I taught middle and elementary school for more than 12 years, and during that time, I realized how much I cared about advocating for kids who needed extra support. Becoming a mom made that even more clear. I saw firsthand how important it is to make sure children receive the services they need to succeed, even though that can often feel like an uphill battle. I switched my career to work with the local Guardian ad Litem and CASA program, and that experience inspired me to pursue law school at ASU.

Q: What communities or causes feel most central to your life right now?

A: Right now, the communities that feel most central to my life are children and families in need of support. Through my work with CASA, I’ve seen how important it is to make sure that every child has a voice and access to the services they need.  

Q: Was there a moment or experience that pushed you to pursue a JD?

A: When my son was four, he was diagnosed with a medical condition that affected how he learned and processed information in school. Helping him get the support he needed made me realize how many children do not have someone to help navigate the system or speak up for them. That experience inspired me to work with CASA to support children who often do not have access to resources they need, and led me to pursue a JD to advocate for kids whose voices are not always heard.

Q: How does ASU’s mission-driven approach resonate with your own values or goals?

A: ASU Law stood out to me because of its dedication to preparing students for meaningful careers in public service. Its mission of creating a diverse and inclusive environment resonated with me and my own values. I am a non-traditional student, and I immediately felt included and celebrated in the ASU law community.

Q: What issues or communities do you hope to impact through your legal education?

A: After earning my JD from ASU law, I hope to work in a career that allows me to make a difference in my community. I am particularly interested in advocating for children in the child welfare system or working in roles focused on special education and disability rights. As a member of a Native American Tribe, I would also like to deepen my understanding of Tribal law and explore ways I can advocate in Native American communities as well.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years — and how does this program get you there?

A: In 5 years, I hope to be working as an attorney in an advocacy role, using my education to serve people in my community.  ASU Law’s online, part-time program will help me to build the skills needed to pursue this career while giving me the flexibility to continue to support my family.

Q: What does being part of the first-ever cohort mean to you?

A: I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the first-ever cohort of the online, part-time JD at ASU Law. Since my priority has always been supporting my children and my family, I never truly believed there was a path to earning a JD. When I received my acceptance letter, I was shocked and overjoyed. I am grateful to be selected to be a part of this small and diverse group of students to learn from their experiences and share in this opportunity together.

Q: What are you most excited about in this program?

A: I truly love learning. As I have transitioned from a career in education to a career in the legal field, I have been inspired by the attorneys I work with and fascinated by how much there is to learn. I am so excited to build a deeper understanding of the law, engage in meaningful conversations and grow in my understanding of the world around me.