Richard McGinty came to Oregon in 1983 after a stint as a US Army Signal Corps Officer to attend Law School at Willamette University. Richard, along with three other students, was in the first group of students to ever graduate from Willamette Law School in two and a half years instead of the three years traditionally taken to complete law school. Richard also has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Georgia, Augusta Campus.

Richard has been representing individuals with injuries and disabilities since 1986. He initially focused on Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation and Social Security law. Since 2000, Richard has limited his practice exclusively to Social Security law and Veterans benefits. Richard’s Social Security practice involves helping his clients get benefits relating to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Widows/Widowers benefits, Disabled Adult Child benefits and Children’s benefits. Richard litigates well over a hundred contested hearings each year before the Social Security Administration. Richard’s Veterans Law practice involves representing Veterans at the Board of Veterans Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Richard is a member of the Marion County Bar Association, Multnomah County Bar Association, and Oregon State Bar. Richard is licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon, the Federal District Court of Oregon, the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Richard is a past president and current member of the Advisory Commission for Center 50+ (involved in new programs; lifelong learning; monitors activity) and a Board member and treasurer for the Barbara Knudsen Foundation.

Richard presents a class on Social Security Disability Law every Fall to Willamette Law School students.  Richard also gives presentations about Social Security law and Veterans benefits to interested organizations. Richard is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives (NOSSCR) and the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA).

Ryan M. Belcher is a certified Non-Attorney Claimant Representative.  Ryan started working for the firm in October, 2009.  Working with Mr. McGinty, Ryan gained a thorough understanding of the Social Security Laws and the expertise necessary to be successful in helping his clients get approved for disability benefits.  As Ryan progressed so did his passion for helping persons with disability and he decided to take a more hands on and personal approach to Claimant advocacy.  In January, 2012, after passing a rigorous exam demonstrating his knowledge of the Social Security laws, Ryan was certified by the Social Security Administration as a Non-Attorney Claimant Representative.  Along with the additional training and certification, Ryan is a proud and contributing member of the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR) and National Organization for Social Security Claimant’s Representatives (NOSSCR).

Ryan’s Social Security practice involves helping his clients get benefits relating to Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Widows/Widowers benefits, Disabled Adult Child benefits and Children’s benefits. Services which Ryan provides include appealing determinations at the initial and reconsideration levels, as well as, preparing and litigating claims in front of an Administrative Law Judge at the hearing level.  If necessary, Ryan can appeal a case denied by the Administrative Law Judge to the Appeals Council.

Ryan Belcher was born and raised in Keizer, Oregon, and continues to have strong ties to the community.  He attended McNary High School and was a member of the McNary High School 2001 State Championship football team.  While earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature with a minor in legal studies from Western Oregon University, he also earned honors playing football for the Wolves. Ryan was a 3 time all conference player in the GNAC.  After college, Ryan had a brief stint playing arena football and was a member of the 2009 ArenaCup Championship team, the Spokane Shock.  Currently, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and friends, while being “daddy” to his beautiful daughter, Riley.

Sonya has been with our firm since 2007, and she plays an essential role in the operation of the firm.  Sonya works in a variety of ways within our firm, all of which help to bring organization and direction to the day-to-day affairs.  Her knowledge, compassionate nature, and strong interpersonal communication skills allow clients to feel at ease when dealing with difficult situations, and she goes above and beyond to meet each person’s individual needs.   Sonya’s love for her family and friends, especially her husband and two children, can be seen in all that she does.  Her dedication to strengthening bother personal and professional relationships makes Sonya an indispensable member of our team.