Candace Carlyon’s Call to Serve

The scene could have felt transactional: a law office conference room, stacks of legal forms, the buzz of a photocopy machine. But for Candace Carlyon, Esq., the atmosphere at Southern Nevada Senior Law Program’s first-ever Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) workshop was electric with purpose. The date was October 22, 2021, and the driving force behind it was a simple, staggering fact Candace had learned just weeks before: seniors in need were waiting up to six months for this essential document. “I decided that had to change,” she says, the resolve of that moment still clear in her words. What began that day, assisting 16 clients, has since ignited a wave of compassion. In 2024 alone, that single workshop multiplied into an effort serving 584 seniors, powered by over 100 pro bono attorneys.

This remarkable growth story is deeply personal for Candace, a dedicated SLP board member whose journey to senior advocacy is as unexpected as it is inspired.

From Perry Mason to Pro Bono: An Unlikely Path

Candace’s legal ambitions were born not in a law library, but in her childhood living room. “It’s somewhat embarrassing that I knew I wanted to be a lawyer from the time I started watching Perry Mason reruns at the age of 8,” she confesses. This dream took root in a home headed by a single mother, a woman who provided something even more powerful than legal precedent: unwavering belief. “My mom was a shining example of support, never questioning that this would be my path,” Candace reflects, highlighting the foundational confidence that propelled her forward.

Her successful career focuses on complex business litigation and commercial bankruptcy, a world seemingly distant from elder law. She built this practice alongside her law partner and best friend, Dawn Cica, a bond forged in high school debate that has lasted for decades. It is precisely this background in navigating intricate problems and stewarding organizations that she brings to the SLP board. “These are the skills that every board member needs,” she explains. They are the same skills required to guide a nonprofit’s strategy and ensure its lasting impact.

The Human Connection at the Heart of Justice

Ask Candace about Senior Law Program’s impact, and she doesn’t first cite the impressive statistics. Instead, she recalls a face. She remembers a retired DJ from Chicago who attended that pioneering workshop, and the volunteer attorney who spent over an hour simply talking with him. “The client came away with his legal needs met, but maybe even more importantly the support and friendship of a seasoned professional who took time to be his friend,” she says. “He was absolutely delighted, and I still can’t help smiling.”

This story captures the core truth her work has revealed: that for many isolated seniors, the access to justice is intertwined with the profound gift of being seen and heard. “My experiences with our clients reinforce the fact that many of our seniors are both vulnerable and invisible,” Candace observes. “They may have faced economic and social barrier, but they are often smart, funny, proud, and kind.”

A Vision for the Future, Fueled by Community

Candace’s vision for SLP’s future is one of expansive growth. “I see our future as continuing the upward trend of assisting more seniors with more contributors and more volunteers,” she states. A key part of the strategy is mobility, literally taking SLP programs on the road to meet seniors where they are, in communities across Southern Nevada.

For anyone inspired to join this mission, Candace offers both an invitation and a gentle warning. She champions the pro bono workshops as the perfect start: “The commitment is only a half day. I don’t know of any other opportunities that involve such a big impact with such a defined time commitment.” Then she adds with knowing warmth, “Warning, though, it is addictive and you will definitely want to come back!”

It is a journey that continues to reshape her own perspective, guided by a favorite quote from Katharine Hepburn that now feels like a mantra for her service: “The time to make up your mind about people…is never!” From a young girl captivated by courtroom drama to a board member safeguarding dignity for seniors, Candace Carlyon’s story proves that the most compelling calls to action are those answered with both professional skill and a compassionate heart.

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Inspired by Candace’s journey? Discover how you can contribute your skills, time, or support to empower seniors in our community. Click here to find out how!