About Us
DISABILITY LAW
Meet Terisa
Prior to becoming an attorney, I began my legal career working as a paralegal for over 10 years, helping injured people. Through that work, I was inspired to do more to help people with disabilities have a voice and obtain the benefits they desperately need. A native Oregonian, I received my undergraduate degree from Portland State University and attended law school at Willamette University in Salem.
EDUCATION:
B.A., English Literature, Portland State University 2008
J.D., Willamette University College of Law, 2011 Honors in Legal Research & Writing. Certificate Alternative Dispute Resolution. Certificate in Chinese Comparative Law, East China University of Politics and Law. Runner-Up First Year Appellate Competition. Co-Editor, Oregon Courts Service, Willamette Law Online. Summer Editor and Research Editor, Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, CLASSES, AND SEMINARS:
I am very active in my state bar association, teaching continuing legal education to other attorneys on emerging topics in disability law.
Presenter “Ethically and Effectively Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity” Oregon State Bar Disability Law Section, Social Security Disability Recent Trends and Tips, June 1, 2018
Panelist “Interacting and Working Together When Mental Health or Cognitive Disability Is a Concern” Oregon State Bar Disability Law Section, Practicing Inclusion: How to Best Represent Clients with Disabilities, June 7, 2019
Presenter “Social Security Practice in the times of COVID-19” Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, May 18, 2020
Presenter “Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity in the Times of COVID-19” Oregon State Bar Disability Law Section, Getting Oriented in the Civil Rights Statutes that Protect People with Disabilities: Where We Are, How We Got Here, and What’s New on the Horizon, October 14, 2020
I am also an active volunteer member of several professional associations, donating time and other resources to furthering advances in disability law.
Oregon State Bar Disability Law Section Executive Board Committee – Currently serving as member at large, previously having served as chair, past chair, and secretary.
Social Security Disability Section, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) – Current member, previously served as chair
National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSCCR), Member 2012-present
Oregon Social Security Claimants Representatives (OSCCR), Member 2012-present
Washington County Bar Association, Member 2016-present
Oregon Attorneys with Disabilities Association
Oregon State Bar Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Section, Member
Why Work With Us
You come first
I take pride in knowing my clients. I am friendly, caring and empathetic when meeting my clients.
Honest Communication
I am not a disability mill churning out hundreds of cases a month. I am an attorney that a client can talk to about their claim.
Commited to You
I am commited to fighting to get the benefits you deserve.
Let’s Work Together
Are you unable to work because of mental or physical health conditions, but don’t know where to start with Social Security?