Misty Gaubatz Awarded Scholarship for Child Advocates

• November 16, 2017
• Michael Steinger
• Steinger, Greene, & Feiner

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is proud to announce that Misty Gaubatz has been awarded the Scholarship for Child Advocates for the Spring Semester of 2018. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to individuals who are attending law school and have worked to make a difference in their community helping protect children’s rights.

When she was growing up, Misty lived in an environment no child should have to endure. Yet, she pulled herself out of that situation and put herself through college. She graduated from college 14 years ago, and has worked in the legal field since. Now, she is continuing her education at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana.

Though she’s only in her first year of law school, she has found an interest in tort law. She was particularly inspired by a guest speaker who has litigated cases involving children abused at the hands of pediatricians, and being able to see the tangible results that speaker was able to achieve for so many affected children and their families.

After earning her degree, Misty plans on practicing law in the State of Montana, specializing in seeking recovery of damages for children who have been abused and for adult survivors of child abuse. She also hopes to provide legal assistance to families of children who have special needs, which Misty says “seems to be an area that is lacking in local advocacy.”

Outside of pursuing a law degree to help children who have been abused, Misty is active in the community as an advocate. Every December, she organizes and leads an interactive, musical holiday program for the children at Watson’s Children’s Shelter, which provides emergency housing to children in crisis. She recently also organized and performed in a benefit concert featuring four musical groups to raise money for Family Promise Missoula, which provides services and shelter to homeless families with children.

Though Misty is just one person, she knows she can make a difference in her community. She believes there is much that our society as a whole can do to be more helpful for children who are in abusive homes.

“I believe that many children who live in abusive homes go unnoticed and unaided,” she says. “Many of these children are simply assumed to be bullies, slow learners, careless students, or social misfits when they are actually displaying symptoms of being the victims of abuse. I believe that more screening needs to take place in order to learn which children face abuse. Only when we are able to identify the true magnitude of the problem will we be able to work toward solutions to help such children.”

One of Misty’s driving goals is to provide for her son the stable and peaceful life that she did not have growing up. She says her son is her biggest inspiration. “Being responsible for the life and well-being of a young person is such an awesome responsibility and honor, and every day I am inspired to be my best self in order to be a good provider and a positive role model for him,” she says.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner is proud to be able to help Misty on her path toward better the lives of families and children in her community, including her own son.

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