Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
PRO
also known as Donna Simpson Massa
Free Consultation
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with many people in the Upper Cumberland area. I have both enjoyed my work with them and enjoyed getting to know more about life from each one of them.
I grew up in Sparta, TN. My father brought livestock markets to farmers in this area, and my mother reared a family of six while keeping books for the family business. My parents taught me the values of hard work, respect for everyone, living in and trying to improve your community and the importance of having people say your word is as good as a written contract. My experience working with my family in the livestock business has helped me have a better understanding of the lives and work of the rural people of this area.
In my early years of practice, I worked with low-income clients at Rural Legal Services of Tennessee (now Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands). There I learned the importance of working with groups of people to achieve common goals. I later worked in partnership with skilled attorneys, Ernie Onks, Kathy Austin, and Mike O’Mara, who helped me hone my legal skills. My clients have each taught me valuable life lessons.
Family is important to me. My family relies on each other for help and support – sharing with each other what is most important to each one of us. My daughters, Carrie Massa and Erica Scott, along with Jodi Preis, now work as legal assistants in my law practice. I often call on my son, Ethan Massa, and my children’s father, John Massa, for questions I have about appraisals. My husband, Steve Chapman, guides me in areas of office management. My brothers and sisters are always available for valuable counsel. My close family experience has helped me work with and empathize with the needs of families I meet in my practice.
The Upper Cumberland is an area not only where I grew up but also chose to return to and stay in after my years of education. I believe it is important to give back to the community that has given so much to me. Through the years, I have volunteered in my church community, the arts community, youth sports organizations, political organizations, and environmental groups.
I am fortunate to live in a place with the beauty of the farmland, lakes, and mountains of the Upper Cumberlands and to have the full and abundant life my family, friends, work and community has provided.
3
Practice Areas
47 years
47 years
47 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
$ 200-300 per hour
25%-25%
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Fax
51 East First Street, Cookeville, TN, 38502
dsimpsonlaw.com
Other places you can find Donna online.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Joseph | May 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Donna Simpson and her staff are all wonderful people, and I was blessed to have worked with them. Everyone in her office are kind hearted, and work hard for their clients. I would recommend them to everyone that could use the services they provide. Thank you guys for everything, and you all are a ble...
Posted by Kaye | July 26, 2014
I have had the honor of employing Donna Simpson, Attorney at Law, as well as personally experiencing her ability, courage, and most of all her integrity. Attorney Simpson filed my divorce suit in Putnam County. My ex-husband’s attorney was very obstinate and tried to delay the case at every turn. ...
Posted by anonymous | May 7, 2019 | Hired Attorney
I hired Donna Simpson for my disability claim and she didn't reprevent me in a professional manner. She questioned every diagnosis I have and basically made me feel less than human, basically calling me a liar. She was late to my ALJ hearing and didn't even argue my case. I had 1 face to face meeting...
Social Security & Disability lawyer | Mar 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have practiced law in Cookeville for 25 years. During this time I have come to know Donna as a fellow lawyer in the community. She is highly competent, professional and ethical. I highly endorse Donna for your legal needs."
Social Security & Disability lawyer | Aug 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Ms. Simpson is highly skilled and experienced in the area of social security disability. I have known her for over 30 years and I refer clients to her with complete confidence. She is very smart, conscientious, and she has a lot of integrity."
"I have known Donna for many years. She is a fine person and a fine lawyer. She works hard for her clients and is the go to lawyer in the area for complicated social security cases. I highly recommend and endorse her."
Family lawyer
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Social Security & Disability lawyer
2016
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
2008
Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
2003 - Present
Attorney, Law Office of Donna Simpson
1987 - 1992
Attorney, O'Mara & Massa
1984 - 1985
Attorney, Massa & Austin
1982 - 2002
Attorney, Law Office of Donna Simpson Massa
1981 - 1982
Attorney, Onks & Associates
1979 - 1981
Staff Attorney, Rural Legal Services of Tennessee
2014 - Present
Tennessee Bar Association, Disability Law SectionExecutive Committee
2010 - Present
Tennessee Bar Association, Disability Law SectionMember
1995 - Present
Tennessee Supreme Court Historical SocietyFounding Member
1988 - Present
Tennessee Lawyers' Association for WomenFounding Member
1981 - Present
National Organization of Social Security Claimants RepresentativesSustaining Member
1980 - Present
Tennessee Bar AssociationMember
2018 - 2019
American Association for JusticeDisablity section - Chair Elect
2016 - 2017
Tennessee Bar Association, Disability Law SectionChairperson
1992 - 1998
Board of Professional Responsibiity of the Supreme Court of TennesseeBoard Member
1982 - 1983
Putnam County Bar AssociationPresident
Won at Federal District Court level
1978
JD - Juris Doctor
1973
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
ADA and Social Security
2015
The All Evidence Rule
2013
Wills and Estates
English
Legal Answers