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John-Paul Gustad
also known as JP
About John-Paul
Biography
John-Paul Gustad has represented more than 5,000 people in their claims for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits from the Social Security Administration. Additionally, John-Paul is accredited by the Veterans Administration (VA) and represents Veterans throughout the United States in their claims for Service Connected Disability Compensation claims from the VA. John-Paul works diligently for Veterans in all types of Service Connected claims. John-Paul has developed expertise in assisting Veterans suffering from military sexual trauma (MST) and understands the complex nature of how to effectively work with the Veteran while aggressively pursuing the claim against the VA.
John-Paul represents individuals who have been injured by the negligence of another in personal injury claims.
John-Paul assists individuals in estate planning so that they are able to effectively protect their assets and plan for their future.
John-Paul provides personalized and passionate representation to his clients and often represents an individual with multiple legal issues.
John-Paul is admitted to practice in the State of Washington, the United States District Court, Western District of Washington and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
John-Paul is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives, the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, the American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, as well as the King and Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Associations. John-Paul graduated from the University of North Dakota, School of Law in 1999, obtained his Masters of Fine Arts in 2000 and obtained his BFA from the University of Minnesota in 1991. John-Paul is committed to representing individuals against institutional injustice.
Please call today at or visit us at
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Social Security & Disability
40%
25 years | 5,000 cases
Military Law
20%
16 years | 509 cases
Personal Injury
20%
16 years | 101 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 25 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Gustad Law Group
7815 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA, 98103
Gustad Law Group
1102 A St., Suite 300 #28, Tacoma, WA, 98402
Gustad Law Group
1312 N Monroe St Suite #229, Spokane, WA, 99201
Gallery
John-Paul Gustad's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
360 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (360)
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Practice Areas
Social Security Disability (245)
Lawsuits & Disputes (52)
Appeals (25)
Administrative Law (13)
Military Law (11)
Litigation (8)
Personal Injury (7)
Social Security (4)
Discrimination (2)
Brain Injury (1)
Ethics & Professional Responsibility (1)
Family (1)
Insurance (1)
Tax (1)
Workers Compensation (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (274)
Advocacy (165)
Recommendation (131)
Practice Area Knowledge (122)
Professionalism (101)
Staff & Support (68)
Communication Style (61)
Responsiveness (43)
Character & Conduct (37)
General Knowledge (33)
Compassion (32)
Trustworthiness (24)
Cost of Services (9)
Punctuality (8)
Free Consultations (1)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 360 reviews
Posted by Miguel | October 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney
HIRE THIS LAW FIRM or risk high chance DENIAL‼️
Highly HIGHLY recommended… as a United States veteran I highly recommend this firm…why? Well I got denied twice by social security and was approved after hiring this law firm THATS WHY …..the statistics explained it self. Will be advising anyone and all my friends to hire this group immediately….10/1...
Posted by anonymous | October 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Best decision ever
I came to Gustafson Law Firm on referral after spending the past 3 years dealing with another disability law firm for the past 3 years of missed hearings, inept representation and gross mishandling of my case. Just over a month of working with Gustad Law, I received a favorable decision on my claim....
Posted by Paula | October 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Chose John-Paul Gustad's Law Firm
Astounding! This law firm is professional, knowledgeable, and effective. I am grateful for all of their help and guidance throughout the process of my case. Without a doubt the best law firm as far as I am concerned! Don't hesitate to call. You will not regret it!
Posted by Karen | October 16, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Never Give Up
Mr. Gustad has been helping me for 5 years.i had a surgery on my spine in 2020 that left me in excruciating pain ever since. I've also had hip problems since birth. I was not able to go back to work after my spine surgery. Mr. Gustad helped me fight my case and it was long and very stressful. Even h...
Posted by Jeff | October 15, 2026 | Hired Attorney
SSDI
Made my social security experience an absolutely smooth and easy experience as Ive ever had with The government. Would recommend 100%
John-Paul Gustad's Lawyer Endorsements
"John-Paul is passionately committed to the effective representation of his clients; his success proves this. He is successful because he has the intellect to persuasively apply complex laws, rules, and regulations to differing and equally complex facts for each client; a skill every lawyer wants and John-Paul has. I endorse him and his work based on these skills and his honest compassion for his clients."
"Mr. Gustad cares about his clients and is willing to stand up to Administrative Law Judges who are not following the law. I think that Mr. Gustad is a very good attorney and I endorse him."
"JP Gustad is an excellent lawyer who truly cares about his clients. He's also an ethical person you can trust. I've referred several people to JP and they've all been pleased with how they were treated - and I've been impressed with the results he has achieved for his clients, sometimes under difficult circumstances. He's smart, he's tenacious, and he's energetic. What more could you want?!"
"JP is a consummate professional whom others (such as myself) routinely consult for advice. He is a tireless advocate for his clients. I strongly recommend JP for social security disability appeals."
"JP is an excellent attorney and runs a very competent firm. He really cares about the best interests of his clients and has helped 1000s of people get the best results in their SSDI and VA cases. Highly recommend."
Benjamin Gichner
Social Security & Disability lawyer | Oct 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have worked closely with Mr. Gustad. He cares about his clients and always has their best interests at heart. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal counsel"
Joseph Koplin
Workers compensation lawyer
Joshua Bam
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Benjamin Gichner
Business lawyer
Rosemary Schurman
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Eric Brunstrom
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2024
National Trial Lawyers Top 100, National Trial Lawyers
2023
Social Security Disability Leadership, Disability Awards National Top 500
2023
National Trial Lawyers Top 100, National Trial Lawyers
2022
Social Security Disability Leadership, Disability Awards National Top 500
2022
National Trial Lawyers Top 100, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1989
Alice Tweed Tuohy Scholarship, Alice Tweed Tuohy
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Principal, Gustad Law Group
2002 - 2007
Associate, Social Security Disability Associates
Associations
2020 - Present
Washington State Association for JusticeMember
2011 - Present
National Organization of Veterans' AdvocatesAttorney Member
2010 - Present
National Consumer Law CenterAttorney Member
2007 - Present
Pierce County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Seattle King County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Lawyer Referral CommitteeAttorney Member
2003 - Present
National Organization of Social Security Claimants RepresentativesSustaining Member
2001 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Garcia v. Island County
Case settlement of $2,750,000
Education
1999
University of North Dakota School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1991
University of Minnesota, Duluth
BFA
Speaking Engagements
2016
Social Security Disability: Best Practices and Overview of Procedure
SSDI & SSI: An Overview of the Programs
2015
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washington State Convention
Navigating the World of Public Benefits Programs SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare
2012
Stroke Survivor's Rehabilitation Forum
Medical Listings for Social Security Disability and Satisfying Disability After a CVA
2011
Pike Market Clinic Staff Meeting
Perfecting Chart Notes; The Practitioner’s Objective Observations vs. the Patient’s Subjective Reports
N/A
WMCMA Monthly Meeting
Navigating the Social Security Labyrinth; A How to Guide to Assist Your Patients
Languages
Spanish
English
Russian
Ukrainian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I get survivors benefits after I get divorced?
14 Nov 2018
Q&A
Can I apply for early retirement while on ssdi?
26 Oct 2018