Everyone I spoke to at Cavanaugh: the intake worker, Kate, the intern, Olivia, and the paralegal,…read moreMary were fantastic!!! I had several lawyers prior to Cavanaugh and they were all terrible. Some didn't even know when I was denied! From the time I signed up with Cavanaugh to the date of approval with Social Security, it was only 2 months! They spoke to social security the same day I consented to them being my lawyer and helped me remove my previous lawyer from my case! (I couldn't even reach the previous lawyer). I had been going through disability denials and appeals for years. Everyone prior to Cavanaugh was completely inept. In my experience, it is rare that the process only took 2 months. Cavanaugh fought for me to receive the maximum back pay. Yes, they receive a % of it, but in my opinion, it is well-deserved! I even received my back pay within that 2 month period! Don't expect it to be only 2 months in other cases, but once you have submitted your information to Cavanaugh, you can rest assured that they are all doing their jobs! This might be the first law firm I have encountered in the Midwest that operates like a "well-oiled machine!" Thank you and well done, Cavanaugh! I couldn't be more grateful. My life has changed because of you!

only cared about getting paid. cancelled multiple times with very short notice. once they got paid…read morel, they stopped responding to messages. kinda fucked us over my mom ended up in debt after get dis approved. you guys suck.

If you're a veteran struggling with the VA claims process, do yourself a favor and get in touch…read morewith Corrina Bartels. When I first submitted my claims on my own, the VA denied everything. I was frustrated, stuck, and didn't know what to do next. Then I found Corrina, and everything changed. Her knowledge, experience, and dedication have been an absolute game changer. Not only did she help me get my claims submitted properly, but she's also been by my side through the appeals process, making sure my ratings are adjusted to the levels they should be. She knows the system inside and out, fights for what's right, and genuinely cares about the veterans she helps. I can't recommend her enough. If you need someone in your corner, Corrina is the one you want!

I am very disappointed with Berry Law and their representation…read more I first talked to Berry Law in September of 2025. After hearing nothing from them again for nearly five months, I contacted Berry Law to end my relationship with their firm. I was quickly contacted by a case manager, Jason G., and we discussed my current status as related to the VA. We talked about things that he would consider worth filing while eliminating those things that were not relevant or viable. Against my better judgement, I decided to continue my relationship with Berry Law. In early February, several claims were filed with the VA on my behalf. Most of the claims were not applicable to my conditions or were contrary to the discussion that I had with the case manager. I reached out to him, and he simply replied that I needed to make any medical screening appointments that that were made for me. Fast forward one month, I had a couple of screening appointments completed, and checked on the VA website and noticed that several of my previously filed claims had been withdrawn by Berry Law. I sent a couple of emails asking why the claims were even filed, much less withdrawn. Nothing... no communication. In addition, I called a couple of the phone numbers that Berry Law advertises, waited on hold for over an hour and requested a call back every day for four days. For over one week, not a peep from the law firm. By the end of that one week period, I made the decision to file a VA form 21-22 to have Berry Law removed as my power of attorney. Perhaps by coincidence, I then started receiving phone calls and emails from the law firm. It's funny how things sometimes work out. Perhaps my experience was atypical, but I suspect not. As it turns out, I live and work in a location with many military veterans. We talk about our experiences and things that worked well or not so well. I've been asked on numerous occasions if I would recommend Berry Law for VA claims, and you can guess my response.

I ultimately reached 100% Permanent & Total, and I appreciate the assistance that helped finalize…read moremy VA claim. However, I want to share something extremely important for other veterans to understand before signing a contingency agreement with any VA disability law firm. The fee structure in my case was explained using language like the following: "Our fees are all inclusive in the percentage of the Fee Agreement... 33 percent of any backpay award or supplemental awards based off of our work." Based on wording like "based off of our work," many veterans (including myself) will reasonably interpret that to mean the fee applies to the backpay generated during the time the firm is actively working on the claim. However, what I ultimately learned after having to research VA disability law myself--because the explanation in both the conversation and email was ambiguous to me--is that contingency fees in VA disability cases can apply to the entire retroactive payment created by the rating increase, even if the effective date goes back long before the firm became involved. For example, in my situation: * I began working my VA claim in June 2024 on my own, gathering records, medical evidence, and spending significant time navigating the process myself. * I hired the firm in December 2025. * A supplemental claim filed shortly after resulted in my rating reaching 100%. * Because the VA maintained the effective date back to June 2024, the retroactive payment covered a much longer time period. Under the contingency agreement, the firm's 33% fee applied to that entire retroactive amount, even though the firm had only been involved for a shorter portion of the overall claim timeline. To illustrate how different this can look depending on timing: I referred another veteran to the same firm who was also moved from 90% to 100%, but because his claim had only been active for a short period of time, his retroactive payment -- and therefore the fee -- was dramatically smaller. My purpose in sharing this is not to criticize the contingency model itself, but to help other veterans clearly understand how retroactive benefits and attorney fees can interact, especially when a claim has already been active for many months or years before legal representation begins. My advice to other veterans considering legal representation: * Ask very clearly how contingency fees apply if your claim is backdated months or years before the firm becomes involved. * Request a simple example showing how the fee would be calculated in that scenario. * Make sure you fully understand how the effective date of your claim affects retroactive payments and attorney fees. The VA disability system is extremely complex, and legal assistance can absolutely help veterans achieve the benefits they deserve. I simply hope that sharing my experience helps other veterans make fully informed decisions before signing a contingency agreement. In simple terms for veterans who may already be close to 100%: if your claim has been open for a long time and a firm helps push you over the threshold, the fee may be calculated from years of backpay -- not just the months they worked on the case -- so be sure you fully understand how that works before signing.

Do not, use berry lawfirm! As s gwot, vet, they malpractice my migraines and left me worse for…read moreware, causing severe depression spike no active communication made their system to be harder to contact your representative lawyer, and not give any compassion nor care to me strings you along for years just because they can? If I could give negative star reviews it would be -4 just saying! Save your self mental torment they cause!

I had a great experience with the Law Office of Brett Mccarthur. I found myself in a little bit of…read morelegal trouble and gave him a call. Despite how bad things could have gone for me, he was professional and precise. He was very communicative with me in a way that I could understand the law and its process. His guidance was very clear, and his courtroom presence was impressive. I believe my outcome went well because of his knowledge and preparation of the case.

Brett is an awesome lawyer. When he took my case he told me he would win it for me. He did. I was…read moredenied twice. We went to court and he was ready. And we won. I highly recommend Brett. He definitely knows what he is doing.

Does very little to nothing to keep you updated about your disability insurance case and when the…read morecase is done they do nothing for you with social security to get your payments. The assistant says that their work is done as soon as the hearing is done

From the owner: Mary Kay is an experienced Attorney who serves as a Mediator assisting families. Mary Kay mediates…read morea wide range of family issues, such as parenting plans, DIY divorce, amicable and uncontested divorces as well as high conflict divorces, and custody. Mary Kay can mediate will and estate issues, elder law, and Guardianships. Mary Kay and her team provide help to those seeking Social Security Disability. The team at Mary Kay Hansen Law & Mediation offers personal customer service and commitment to you and your concerns. Mary Kay assists families seeking an amicable, friendly, peaceful or DIY divorce as well as high conflict cases.