Matthew Jacob Shupe

Matt is an experienced disability litigator selected by his peers for SuperLawyers' annual Ohio Rising Stars recognition for the past eleven (11) consecutive years. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in Ohio. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.

Balin Law is here to service all of Ohio (and beyond) with zealous representation in Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Long Term Disability (LTD) claims. We pride ourselves on compassion and client convenience with offices in Ashtabula, Beachwood, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cuyahoga Falls, Sheffield Village, Mentor [Our HQ], Toledo, and Youngstown.

Why does Matt practice disability law?

I started practicing disability law because I enjoy fighting for the little guy and I can relate to how a person's health can derail an entire family. I come from a solidly blue-collar background and did not even know what a lawyer was when my uncle was in a terrible accident in 1993 that left him permanently disabled. I remember how confused we all were when the government denied his application for Social Security Disability benefits after many months of waiting. It was pretty clear to our family that a person who could not walk to the bathroom without severe pain could not be expected to work a full-time job. Thankfully, a lawyer working for the Legal Aid Society stepped in to help my family navigate the application process. My heart remains with people who work for a living.

In my late 20s I was diagnosed with a chronic, incurable autoimmunue disease. Unfortunately, living with a chronic condition has provided unique insight into the pain my clients live with day in, day out. Fortunately, living with a chronic condition has increased both my empathy for others and my ability to persist through the difficult times in life we all must face.

What is Matt's role at the firm?

Although my primary focus is creating good legal precedents for disability claimants through federal litigation, I also frequently meet with new clients at many of our ten (10) offices located throughout Ohio and represent clients at their administrative hearings. I basically do whatever is required.