John J. Chihak obtained his law degree from Hamline University School of Law. John also received a Masters of Arts Degree in Public Administration with honors from Hamline. John obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. John received the Peter Falkman Award for Outstanding Policy Analysis for his master's thesis on poverty, pollution, and inner city development. John's thesis was published in the Journal of Public Law and Policy. John was a member of the legal team that worked on the landmark United States Supreme Court case Gisbrecht v. Barnhart. As a direct result of this case, the right to legal representation for low income disabled individuals was greatly expanded throughout the United States.

John is admitted to practice law in Washington state as well as before the United States District Court, Western District of Washington; United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. John is a member of the American Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association, and the Snohomish County Bar Association. Since 2001, John has been a Sustaining Member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and again in 2010 John was invited to become a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association. This prestigious organization is limited to the top 100 trial lawyers in each state. John practices law exclusively in the area of Social Security Disability and SSI. He has successfully represented over 2000 claimants.

Chihak & Gustad is dedicated exclusively to representing individuals with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. We are committed to helping our clients through the SSDI and SSI claims process with representation that is both highly effective and respectful of their needs.

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