Monterey Times

From a young age, San Joaquin College of Law alumna, Cinderela Ivory Y. Co (J.D.' 15), faced hardships, loss, and a full immigration experience to the U.S. After experiencing her father's cancer diagnosis firsthand, she developed an affinity for healthcare and chose to become a nurse.

Learn more about Cinderela, including her transition to a second career in law, how her innovative healthcare software company is changing the industry, and why she's passionate about showing other young women, minorities, and immigrants that anything is possible.

Tell us About Yourself and Your Path to Law School.  

I was born in Manila, Philippines, and I was only 12 years old when my father passed away from colon cancer. My mother and I immigrated to the United States shortly thereafter in the hope of a fresh start in life. We settled in Clovis, CA, before we moved to Las Vegas, NV, where I finished high school and received my undergraduate degree in nursing from UNLV. In high school, I volunteered in local assisted living facilities and nursing homes as part of their wellness programs. These encounters allowed me to have a glimpse of the various stages of the aging process as it pertains to the patient physically, emotionally, and mentally. I attribute my interest in healthcare to my father's cancer diagnosis because I witnessed up close the process of the disease from the viewpoints of both a patient and a family member. These monumental events growing up paved the direction for my healthcare career. 

I graduated from high school at 16 years old, and by 18, I had received my double associate's degree in arts and science. I graduated with honors on the Vice President's List, which was awarded to students with a 3.9 GPA and above. I continued my education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and subsequently passed the board exam for registered nursing by age 20. My first job was as a telemetry nurse, which is part of the cardiac department of the medical surgical unit of the hospital. At the same time, I was also working in our family's home health agency, where I started out as an office staff and then worked my way up to Director of Patient Care Services, a position I still hold to this day. 

A few years later, I became certified as a public health nurse, and we moved back to Clovis to open another home health agency. That's when I decided to pursue a degree in law. One of the biggest factors behind this decision is what I have experienced as a healthcare provider and business owner. I had encountered the inequities in how healthcare providers were treated and how we're expected to tolerate certain behaviors and actions that would otherwise be unacceptable in other industries. There are countless times when healthcare providers are treated without respect, discriminated against, and/or physically and verbally assaulted. But yet, we are still expected to turn a blind eye. Some healthcare providers would even brag about how many times they have experienced these events as if they were badges of accomplishment and attestation of professional experience in this field. I personally have experienced a lack of respect, possibly because of my gender or maybe because I was young, or that English is not my native language, but I have been told to tough it out and learn to adapt to this toxic work culture by the very people who served as my preceptors. 

Advocacy is weak in this profession because most seasoned providers will label you as part of the "snowflake generation." These occurrences made me realize that if I kept putting up and living with it, this would continue to be the norm when it shouldn't be that way. That's what propelled me into a legal career; I wanted to be an advocate for them because I've experienced what it feels like to be defenseless.

I went to law school, became an attorney and now, I'm practicing in healthcare, mainly dealing with Medicare guidelines along with federal and state regulations for home health companies. I also handle the business's labor and employment side, so I've worn many hats throughout the years. At 25 years old, I was recognized locally on Business Street's 40 under 40 list, which recognizes and honors entrepreneurs and leaders in their respective industries. 

What Was Your Law School Experience Like?

We moved back to Clovis to start a home health agency, so it worked out that there was a law school within the vicinity. San Joaquin College of Law also offered a part-time track (night classes) which fit perfectly into my schedule because I was working full-time in our company as well. 

I was thrilled to go to law school because I came from Las Vegas, which was a big and touristy city. So it was nice to go to an intimate setting because law school is a serious endeavor and requires focus and the least distraction possible. I wanted to take things slower and opted for the 4-year program, which was still a stressful program nevertheless. The school administration and classmates were friendly and welcoming, and the professors were supportive in addressing and accommodating student needs. The professors are highly regarded in our community, and yet, they patiently explain materials to their students in the most elementary way to impart legal concepts and knowledge to the future legal generation. That in and of itself is a very humbling experience. During graduation, the school allowed every graduate to have a moment to themselves on stage and acknowledge those who have contributed to their law school success.

SJCL also balances student life with school functions such as Law Prom and Back-to-School Nights. There were also multiple student organizations with their own events and activities. The Bar Passers Toast was also a wonderful event with delicious food, beautiful decorations, goody bags, and the legendary staircase photo. When you take that step on the staircase, something inside of you sparks bittersweet emotions. You gained an attorney license while losing the security blanket of being a law student. It's time to leave the nest, spread your wings and fly. That's why I took my oath for my Texas attorney license where it all began – at San Joaquin College of Law with my former Criminal Law professor, Judge Conklin, who swore me in as a final salute to the school that paved the way to my legal career. 

Finally, SJCL will always have a special place in my heart because that is where I met my husband. 

As a Business Owner and Law Student, How Did You Maintain a Healthy Balance Between Work, School and Life in General?

Organization is key, especially if you have multiple responsibilities outside of school. Even from the beginning, I kept a planner and used post-it notes, binders, folders, different colored pens, highlighters, etc., to differentiate and prioritize tasks. In the beginning, my biggest mistake was being overly zealous and overreaching. I scheduled myself to do numerous tasks every day to the point that it was overwhelming even to complete one. So I limited myself to a certain number of tasks to complete a day, and I left "free days" where I would either catch up on other tasks or take time off. For example, I would do three personal tasks, three work tasks, and four school tasks for a total of 10 tasks a day. The truth is, you will do more than 10 tasks in a day, so it's better to give yourself some wiggle room for surprises.  

Also, don't deny or punish yourself for having fun. Take time off from doing tasks once in a while and reward yourself no matter how much or little you have accomplished. Every accomplishment is one step closer to your goal. It's almost impossible to be successful in every endeavor you take on, so stop comparing yourself to others. You are bound to fail in certain things, but don't get discouraged or disheartened. 

Finally, to maintain balance, surround yourself with positivity in all forms: people, friends, pets, hobbies, vacations, exercise, or even just find solitude. Whatever makes you happy, surround yourself with more of that because life can get challenging, and it's crucial to have a strong support system to uplift yourself. So as much as possible, avoid negativity because that can easily distract you and strongly discourage you from pushing forward and pursuing your goals. Stay focused and stay persistent. Masterpieces are rarely created overnight, so do not pressure yourself too much. 

They Say it Takes a Village When You're in Law School. Was That True For You and What Advice Do You Have for Students Who Need Help Preparing Their Village for Their Law School Experience?

Before you form your village, you need to consult with yourself: Is this really what you want, and are you passionate about it? What's the driving force behind your goal? You have to pick the people in your village carefully as well. Not everyone is going to understand or support what you're doing, and you need to accept and move on with your plans. Once you embark on this law school journey, the village you form should support you 100%. You might lose some friends, but you'll definitely gain more friends. So along the way, you have to accept that nothing is permanent. Your happiness is key, and I think it's essential to success because it helps you keep a positive mindset no matter what hurdles life throws at you. You won't succumb to failure easily because you enjoy what you're doing, and you know your hard work is going to pay off and make a positive impact. Plus, you have your village to support and motivate you towards your ultimate goal. 

How Important is it to Network and Make Connections With Your Professors, Peers and Other Legal Professionals While You're in Law School? 

It's very important. Do not limit yourself to a small circle of people. Join student organizations and interest groups, work as an intern, or even volunteer. It's a great starting point and it could lead you to further your career. If you make yourself known, you will get noticed. The more extensive your network, the stronger your marketability as an attorney. Your biggest product is yourself, so invest greatly in yourself and make yourself stand out. You will be your own brand in the legal field, and you will reap the rewards you sow now.

Can You Tell Us About the Medical Software Company You're Starting Up?

In 2019, my husband, Jonathan James Echols (J.D.' 14), and I decided to start a healthcare software company called HomeCareIQ, it's a platform that serves home health agencies nationwide. The largest medical center in the world is located in Houston, Texas, and it was only fitting that we have our headquarters there as well, so we're now in the process of moving to the Lone Star State. During the development phase of the software, I also took a course in Digital Health and received a certificate from Harvard Business School online in 2021. This class helped me interact with other innovators in healthcare from around the world, and we shared insights, ideas, and talents. This was all during the pandemic, and our class was the pilot class for this course, so I was very fortunate to be part of this brilliant group. I believe Harvard developed this program because of what happened during the pandemic when healthcare provision had to be done digitally through telehealth and the current patient population was unprepared. Now we're seeing throughout the world the potential solutions we can create or improve on, and how we can prepare ourselves in case there's another pandemic or health emergency. We had guest presenters each week from Fortune 500 companies, which was very inspiring because these companies started small but have a big passion for fixing a problem. Now they're all running giant corporations that have truly impacted the world, not just in the United States. 

Our software sets us apart from others in that we are in a unique position to have experienced firsthand from all types of stakeholders involved in the healthcare ecosystem. From patient perspectives to clinical and administrative functions, the legal aspect of operating a healthcare business is equally important. We've experienced the full healthcare spectrum, which allowed us to tailor the software to every stakeholder's needs. We started the development of the software in 2019, which was right before the pandemic started, and had to adjust several sections of the software to address COVID-19. We had to fine-tune our application with a strong foundation addressing the pandemic. Some existing software did not equip itself due to its unforeseeability. As a nation, we faced numerous problems that none of the existing software in our industry had tackled before. This lack of preparedness and hands-on experience posed a detriment to healthcare providers and companies who required guidance and support during the pandemic and they failed to do that. That's why we developed our software. With my healthcare background as a nurse attorney and Jonathan's background as a Worker's Compensation attorney, we achieved a solution that addresses not only the ongoing problems in patient care delivery but also ensures that the operation of a home health business is fully compliant with federal and state regulations. 

How Did Your Legal Training Apply and Help You Build This Company?

Having a Juris Doctor degree helped us create this company because our background as attorneys truly had a profound impact on creating and developing the software. We approached the development from a compliance point of view. The healthcare industry is huge around the world and most software applications only address the needs of one segment of the stakeholder, which is patient care. While that's definitely an important aspect, our legal training and education allowed us to be more knowledgeable when it came to matters such as reviewing contracts, HIPAA compliance, regulations surrounding the HITECH Act, business operations, and labor/employment matters. As attorneys, we were trained to examine every angle of a situation and we applied those analytical techniques to accomplish our goals. As law students, it was ingrained in us to pay close attention to details and always keep a sharp mind for errors. The IRAC formula (Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion) was handy during the discovery and development phase of the software because we scrutinized each regulation/guideline, its policy, and how to apply them accordingly in a real-world setting without sacrificing accuracy and efficiency.

You're a Prime Example of the Ways a Juris Doctorate Degree Can Open Many Doors, Including Starting Your Own Business. What Would You Tell New Law Students About the Full Value of a Legal Education?

A legal education doesn't necessarily stop when you become a lawyer. Pursue your passion and use your legal education to further your goals. Every business venture requires a legal guideline and foundation of some sort, so keep an open mind. A legal education will allow you to tread safely with the knowledge that most people do not possess. Use this knowledge to your advantage and make something remarkable. As with our software, we have connected our legal training and experience to develop a full-service platform for the healthcare industry. When you have a legal background, you're trained to examine all facets of the story before making an informed decision. Our legal education and training allowed us to tackle the root cause of the problem instead of just addressing the problem at hand. 

Another overlooked aspect of legal education is the lifestyle you develop while obtaining the legal education. As mentioned previously, law school is tough and the Bar exam is even tougher. Both require dedication and discipline. As you embark on your legal journey, you unknowingly develop a habit/lifestyle that follows dedication and commitment toward your goal. This becomes part of your person in everything you do, making you more informed and knowledgeable than just taking things at face value.

You Started Your Career as a Nurse and Pivoted to Law School as a Second Career. What Advice Do You Have for Others Who Are Interested in Switching to a Legal Career?

My advice is first to examine the reason for leaving their current career. Next, examine why a legal career is the career of choice as a replacement. I would advise them to list down their current daily tasks along with all their responsibilities (personal, work, etc.) and how they intend to accommodate each one of them in addition to the typical daily schedule of a law student. I would also advise them to sit in a class (if allowed) or shadow an actual law student for a week to experience it firsthand. Better yet, they can shadow an attorney (if allowed) for a day to see what it's like. Finally, I would advise them to speak with their support system and find out what tasks they can assist them with to alleviate the stress of law school. Once they have completed these tasks and figured out a reasonable plan, my advice is to go for it.

As a Filipino Woman, What Would You Tell Other Women of Color Who Might Have Imposter Syndrome or Doubt Their Ability to go to Law School and Have a Successful Career?

I've been in your shoes. I was an immigrant, and I was placed in an ESL class when I first came here to the United States. The school didn't think I could speak English, even with me talking in full English proficiency. In the Philippines, the method of instruction was in English, and we were taught to read and write in English at a young age. As a healthcare professional, I've experienced judgmental and inappropriate attitudes from patients and colleagues because of my age, ethnicity, or gender. As a legal professional, I have experienced discrimination because I am a young woman of color in a male-dominated profession. And I know I will experience the same mistreatment in this new healthcare software venture.

If my story can serve as a positive impact to empower affected individuals, I would tell them I'm proud of their accomplishments and what they've made of themselves. I would tell them to take criticisms lightly because the people who made those comments weren't the ones who had to go through the trials and tribulations you've conquered. They will never know the sacrifices you had to endure (or are currently enduring) in order to be where you are now. Unfortunately, in the world we live in now, discrimination, bias, and the likes are still a huge predicament to overcome. You are not the problem, the system is. But don't let that hinder you from believing in yourself and pursuing your passion. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and make you a better person. The climb to the peak is steep, and not everyone can do it. Hence, it gets lonely at the top and makes you doubt yourself and question if you're better off at the bottom. Keep going and be the change. 

What's Something You Learned in Law School That You Didn't Expect?

Flexibility. With a science degree, you're trained to see everything in black and white, and everything has a correct answer, so you're either right or wrong. When it comes to law school, my overall perception has changed because there exists a gray area where there's really no right or wrong answer. It depends on how you present your case. You can make a strong case for your client as the plaintiff or defendant, but at the end of the day, one will win the case, and the other will lose. That was a big change for me as a science major because in law school, both sides may have the right answers, yet only one side will prevail.

After Your Law School Experience and Your Extensive Career, What Would You Tell Your 1L Self if You Could?

Prepare yourself better. Take more time organizing everything in your life so that you will not be overwhelmed. It's going to be intimidating and difficult as you learn a new set of skills, and it doesn't happen overnight. Learn everything you can, as this will determine your success as an attorney. 

Want to learn more about San Joaquin College of Law, attend a virtual forum or set up an appointment to discuss your law school future? Contact our Assistant Director of Admissions, Francisco "Javier" Rosas, or our Director of Admissions, Diane Steel, today!

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