A couple of years after graduating from law school and spending a few years at a law firm, I went on to start my “Human Services” career –don’t ask how long ago- at the Minnesota Department of Human Services in various offices and pretty much always behind a desk. After several years in this field, I realized what I missed the most about the practice of law – clients. I missed getting to know clients and helping them develop their cases and advocating on their behalf so that their side of the story is told. It may seem obvious, but I believe it’s important to really know who I’m representing. At Disability Partners, we serve Social Security Disability clients throughout the Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In just the last few months, I have represented people at their social security disability hearings in Alexandria, Duluth, Bemidji, and Minneapolis. When I travel for hearings, I often map and plan my route and schedule so I can stop and visit the people I represent; often in their homes.

If I’m representing you, I will often wade through hundreds of pages of your medical and work history, sometimes your caseworker assessments, and sometimes even your education and/or military records. Even after all that, it’s amazing how just a couple of minutes of “face time” gives a better sense of the conditions and the circumstances of people’s lives. Disability applicants are usually living on very little income and often rely on small amounts of government assistance or the kindness of family and friends. Very often, I am humbled to glimpse their struggles. Just as often, these little meetings give me the inspiration for a valid appeal.

If I represent you for Social Security Disability, I’m probably going to want to meet with you and your caregivers because ultimately, we are experienced lawyers representing real people with real problems. We’re not just churning paper and filling forms.

The best way we know to help you is to win the benefits you need to live, and hopefully, heal.

I sincerely hope to see you soon!