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Debra J Venhaus

Social Security & Disability Attorney at Mill Creek, WA

5.0   6 reviews
This attorney is currently not accepting new clients.
Reason: Not Practicing
This attorney is currently not accepting new clients.
Reason: Not Practicing
  • State Years
    Washington - WA 20 years
    Dist. of Columbia - DC 21 years
    Illinois - IL 27 years
    Florida - FL 29 years
  • Licensed for 20 years
    State WA
    Acquired 2003
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 21 years
    State DC
    Acquired 2002
    Status
    Good Standing No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 27 years
    State IL
    Acquired 1996
    Status
    Retired No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 29 years
    State FL
    Acquired 1994
    Status
    Inactive No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Debra

Learn Debra’s areas of practice.

2
Practice areas
  1. Social Security & Disability
    70%
    Social Security Disability and SSI. You've paid into Social Security as you worked hard for years. Now you need help and cannot get it. Call Debra Venhaus and get the help you need to navigate the system and get the benefits you've been denied.

    30 years

  2. Bankruptcy and debt
    30%
    Don’t continue with constant worry and avoiding creditor calls. We will work together to collect your financial information, file the paperwork the right way, and get your debts discharged quickly so you can move on. Call Debra Venhaus for help now.

    9 years

I am no longer accepting new clients as I head toward retirement. Please feel free to contact me to discuss other legal representation options. Good luck in your endeavors.

Hello and thank you for reviewing my AVVO profile. My practice covers all of Washington State, Eastern Idaho and Northeastern Orgeon.  I first began practicing Social Security law during my internship in my law school free legal clinic.  Helping people who were trying to fight the government to obtain the assistance they needed was very gratifying.  I felt like I made a difference in somone's every day life.  Now, I continue with my own law practice, where I help people with the respect and dignity they deserve.  The Social Security process is long and frustrating.  Don't go it alone.  At my office, we can relieve some of the burden from you in dealing with Social Security.  Since those days in the law school legal clinic, I have helped thousands of people just like you.  Call now so I can help you too. 

I initially began practicing consumer bankruptcy as my disability clients experienced financial difficulties while being out of work during the lengthy process to obtain their disability benefits. My bankruptcy practice grew from there as others with financial difficulties sought my help. You deserve to live your life without the burden of debt. Call now so we can discuss your best options moving forward.  

Social Security disability or Consumer Bankruptcy - let us help.


Good luck to you!

Photos and videos

Contact Debra

Law Office of Debra J. Venhaus
P.O. Box 12488
Mill Creek, WA, 98082

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  6 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
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1 Star
 
0%
Posted by Mary | October 11, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Helped through a very tough time
I contacted Debra when I knew my only option was to go through bankruptcy after my divorce. She answered all my questions and kept me calm through this whole procedure, She made this process as smooth as possible. She is very knowledgeable and made sure everything was done perfectly . As going through a bankruptcy is a huge stress, it helped having her by my side.
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Posted by Ruth | November 18, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Attorney for Social Security Disability cases
Ms. Venhaus is a very compassionate lawyer. She fought a long and difficult fight for me and won on my social security disability case. Ms. Venhaus has a wealth of knowledgeable about social security disability. Very professional and had always returned my calls and emails in a timely manner. I highly recommend Ms. Venhaus.
Posted by Elizabeth | April 29, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
helpful, informative, ethical
My husband had been disabled for awhile and several lawyers told us he was too young, or find him a job he could do even under the extreme circumstances of his disability. Debra truly listened, gave us clear explanations for what was happening, was extremely helpful, informative, and took our case. I believe we would still be fighting for rights without her assistance.
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Posted by Lynn | March 1, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very Ethical
Debra helped me successfully appeal a SSDI claim this past spring. She was referred by the National MS Society as someone who had helped people with MS win claims. My claim was won fairly quickly with the first appeal. She understands the law and information that needs to be on the forms. Debra kept me informed and helped me feel comfortable through the entire process. In addition to having solid knowledge and skills, she is also very ethical. I was surprised when she called to tell me that my charge would only be a fraction of what I had been quoted. I am very glad I retained Debra and wish I had done so earlier in the process. Could have saved me a lot of stress.
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Posted by Karen | July 21, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Helped when others would not
I have a rare bone disease and needed help with my Social Security Disability. I had called multiply Lawyers and none were interested in my case as they had not heard of my disease and didn’t think they could win. Then I called Debra Venhaus, she was difference. She listened, asked questions and said she would help me. Debra returned calls and emails from me in a quick manner. By the time of my court date, she had read all my doctor records and understood my problems. She is very professional, knowledgeable and won my case. I would highly recommend Debra Vanhaus.
Read less
Posted by Erin | August 11, 2010
Great Disability Lawyer
I would highly recommend Debra Venhaus to anyone trying to obtain Social Security Disability. Even if you are not sure you qualify for SSD it is worth it to schedule a free consultation with her and she will tell you if she thinks it is worth pursuing. She is very knowledgeable and straight forward. She made wading through the complex SSD process seem easy. I can't imagine having to figure out such a complext process on my own and I don't think I would have successfully received disabiltiy if I had tried to apply on my own. There are state laws that dictate how much any lawyer is compensated and the amount I paid was well worth the time and result achieved. With out Debra's help I would not have known how to fill out the paperwork to receive back pay for years I didn't work before I applied for SSD. With her help I received two years back pay and her fee came out of this money so almost no money out of my pocket. Well worth your time to sit down with Debra and figure out your optons! I worked with Debra in 2005 but recently had to call to get some advice and she was easily accessible, knowledgeable and helpful.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 45 minutes
  • Contingency 20%-25%
  • Retainer Sometimes

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.2 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • Law Office of Debra J. Venhaus, PLLC
  • 2002 - Present
  • Associate Attorney
  • Law Office of Robert A. Friedman
  • 2000 - 2002
  • Associate Attorney
  • Lloyd, Hoskins & Pierce
  • 1997 - 2000
  • Attorney
  • Shaw Group
  • 1995 - 1997
  • Attorney
  • The Shaw Group
  • 1994 - 1995
  • Legal Consultant
  • Balek Consulting
  • 1993 - 1994
View all work experience

Education

  • Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center
  • Juris Doctorate
  • 1993
  • Nova University
  • Bachelor of Science, with Distinction (Magna Cum Laude)
  • 1989

Legal Cases

  • Henry v. Apfel (11th Cir. 1998)
  • Favorable/win
  • Holmes v. Apfel (11th Cir. 1997)
  • Favorable/win
  • Heldebrand v. Colvin (7th Cir. 1996)
  • Favorable/win

Associations

  • National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Licensed Atty
  • 2003 - Present
  • District of Columbia Bar
  • Licensed Atty
  • 2002 - Present
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 1996 - Present
  • National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
  • Sustaining Member
  • 1995 - Present
  • The Florida Bar
  • Licensed Atty
  • 1994 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2015
  • Pro Bono Service Commendation
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • 2010

Publications

  • Medical Trial Technique Quarterly
  • AIDS Dementia Complex: A New and Necessary Insanity Defense
  • 1994

Speaking Engagements

  • Veterans Benefits Information luncheon
  • Veterans Compensation and Pension
  • 2013
  • Circuit 9 Conference
  • Contributer to Ethics presentation regarding Subpoenas in Social Security hearings
  • 2013
  • Women's Historical Society
  • Women's Convoy to Central America
  • N/A
  • Speaker: Social Security Disability
  • Filing for Social Security Disability with Parkinson's Disease
  • N/A
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (9)
Given (9)
Endorse Debra
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Apr 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Nov 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Jan 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Jan 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Social security is not for dabblers, and her answers on AVVO show her vast experience in this sometimes complex area of the law. I endorse this lawyer."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Jan 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Debra is an experienced Social Security Disability attorney with a proven track record. I endorse her."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Nov 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Details are the only thing that matter in the complex field of Social Security claims and Debra J Venhaus clearly knows this field inside and out. I am happy to endorse Ms Venhaus & welcome her to the Avvo community."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Jul 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have know Debra Venhaus professionally for many years and consider her to be a superior Social Security attorney.."
Social Security & Disability Attorney | Jul 14
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"Ms. Venhaus has worked in the area of Social Security Disability for 20 years. Her knowledge, expertise, and results are exceptional in the area of disability law. With that being said, what really separates Ms. Venhaus apart is her tremendous professionalism and compassion for her clients, which is evidenced by her willingness to take on all cases and clients and treat each one with the upmost care. In short, Ms. Venhaus is a great disability lawyer."
Administrative law Attorney | Jun 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have heard from Judges that she does a good job in hearings and from former clients."
View more endorsements
Bankruptcy and debt
Social Security & Disability
Bankruptcy and debt
Social Security & Disability
Social Security & Disability
Administrative law