I am married to a wonderful woman and we have one child.  We adopted her from Guatemala and she is the love of our life.  I grew up in Coon Rapids, MN, went to college at St. John's (MN) and law school at William Mitchell.  I started out in my father's firm 35 years ago and did a variety of types of law for a few years.  I got involved in Social security law in 1995 and have been practicing exclusively in that since then.  It is the most rewarding job I have ever had.  We don't take every case that comes to us.  In fact, we turn down over 75% of those who contact us.  Many people don't understand what qualifies for social security disability.  We take cases where we believe the person has a disabling condition.  As a result, we end up helping those that truly need and deserve to recieve benefits.  Over the years, i have met some truly incredible people.  Unfortunately, I have also heard some incredibly sad stories.  One that I have never forgotten is when a high school age young man stopped me before I went in to a hearing with and for his father.  He told me I had to win because he (the teenager) could no longer handle being the sole support for his mom (who was disabled) and his dad.  He just wanted to be able to go back to school.  We won the case and his father, who was in his 50's hugged me with tears in his eyes.  It is a moment that defines what we do and one i will nevver forget.  In my free time I love to hunt and fish.  I used to play soccer and was captain of my college team.  I have been president of the Anoka County bar Association, I have served on the Judicare board of dirictors for over 20 years helping to provide free and low cost representation to low income families in Anoka County.  I am currently co-chair of the social security section of the Minnesota bar association.  My daughter is an amazing artist and my wife is dedicated to helping homeless people regain their dignity and find safe shelter.  I am one of the lucky ones.  I had a wonderful family growing up, I have a wonderful wife and daughter.  I have a job I love and one in which I can help change the lives of people who truly deserve it.