Senior Attorney Michelle Lynn Kop graduated cum laude with a J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 1997. She completed her undergraduate degree in 1993, graduating from John Carroll University with a B.S. degree in chemistry and a minor in political science. Through her detailed preparation, honesty, and integrity, Michelle has gained the respect of the judges and of the district hearing officers before whom she represents her clients.
While she derives great satisfaction from the reputation she has developed, Michelle's greatest satisfaction comes from winning a case for a client. Michelle has represented Social Security claimants for a decade and has accumulated a wealth of experience. She enjoys the challenge of tackling a case in which benefits have been denied and proving, through the use of medical evidence, that the case ought to have have been approved on its merits. Michelle is able to do this through appearances at hearings and through her highly proficient writing skills. She has helped claimants win benefits even though their applications had been denied at the initial level. She has handled hearings throughout Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Mansfield, and Columbus, and in other localities such as Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Orlando.
Since 1989, Michelle has been assisting Ohio's Social Security applicants attain disability benefits. She began as a receptionist and secretary while in college, and advanced to law clerk while attending law school. Having worked her way up in the firm, she understands the Social Security and Workers' Compensation claim processes and their potential pitfalls. Additionally, having worked in nearly every position in the firm, she understands how each staff position fits into the ultimate goal of winning a client's case.
Michelle is a member of the American Bar Association; the Ohio State Bar Association; the Cuyahoga County Bar Association; the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives; and the Cleveland Marshall College of Law Alumni Association. She is also Vice-Chairperson of her Church's Parish Counsel and has also served on several Church committees. Michelle is a passionate fan of the Cleveland Indians.