Sandra Bensley

 

• Title: Shareholder and Risk Management Partner

• Direct: 520-745-7827

• Fax: 520-745-1279

• Email: sbensley@waterfallattorneys.com

 

Sandra Bensley represents clients as fiduciaries and beneficiaries in contested trust and probate litigation proceedings. Having spent her legal career predominantly in the courtroom, she brings the experience of having handled hundreds of contested cases and has logged thousands of hours of court appearances representing clients.
 
Sandra’s administration practice involves trusts and estates ranging from large and complex trusts to smaller estates that might benefit from simplified procedures, such as affidavits for the collection of real and personal property. As the mother of a young daughter, Sandra is especially attuned to the estate planning needs of parents as they strategize for their children’s futures. She also advises clients seeking to be appointed as guardians and conservators. 
 
A native of Tucson, and with a family history in the area dating back hundreds of years, Sandra is committed to staying involved in the local community. Sandra was appointed to the State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors and to chair the State Bar’s Minorities and Women in the Law Committee.  Sandra has also served on the Professionalism Committee of the State Bar of Arizona and as a volunteer fee arbitrator. Sandra is also President of the local Steering Committee for the Arizona Women Lawyers Association and serves on that organization’s State Board.  Sandra also sits on the Executive Committee for the Pima County Bar Association and serves as its President.  Sandra volunteers for her daughter’s softball league by serving as the treasurer for the non-profit organization, Tanque Verde Fast Pitch Softball.  
 
Previously, Sandra was a legal extern with Judge Mary Murguia and Judge Frank Zapata, both of the U.S. District Court for Arizona. Sandra worked in criminal law both as a prosecutor and defense attorney, trying more than 30 cases in Pima County Superior Court and Glendale City Court. Most recently, Sandra was a public defender for Pima County, handling complex felony cases. Sandra now uses her trial experience to assist her estate litigation clients.

Sandra was recognized by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of its 40 under 40 Award recipients in 2019.  
 

 

Court Admissions

Arizona

 

Professional Associations

 

• Pima County Bar Association-  Executive Committee

• Arizona Women Lawyers Association - Steering Committee and State Board

• State Bar of Arizona (member)

• State Bar Leadership Institute Graduate 2015-2016

• State Bar of Arizona Convention Committee

• State Bar of Arizona Professionalism Committee

• State Bar of Arizona Committee on Minorities and Women in Law  

• Community Foundation of Southern Arizona Professional Advisor Committee

• Key Group of Tucson

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Education

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• Arizona State University (B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 2003)

• Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University (J.D., 2006)

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Publications and Presentations

• Presenter State Bar of Arizona Professionalism Course

• Presenter for SAFEE - Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation of Elders

• Presenter for State Bar Convention on Estate Planning and Community Property

• Presenter for State Bar of Arizona on Legal Malpractice

• Presenter at Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council's Estate Planner's Day 2022

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Practice Areas
Estate and Trust Litigation
Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts
Conservatorships/Guardianships
Probate and Trust Administration

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