HEATHER VANHOOSE • Disability Benefits Attorney
Contact Information
heathervanhoose@jandils.com
1.877.VETERAN (877.838.3726)
Professional Background
Education: Hobart William Smith
College (B.A., 1999), Roger Williams
University School of Law (J.D., 2002)
Member: National Organization of
Veterans’ Advocates, National
Organization of Social Security
Claimants’ Representatives
Profile
Heather Vanhoose, a Disability Benefits Attorney, said she comes from a long line of lawyers in her family. But that’s not why she decided to become an attorney and practice with the Jan Dils Law Firm.
“I was always raised to think you can change the world, and that you can have a huge impact on making the world a better place,” Heather said. "One way I thought I could do that was by becoming a lawyer.”
After earning her undergraduate degree from Hobart William Smith College, where she double-majored in political science and environmental studies, Heather attended the Roger Williams University School of Law.
She received her law degree in 2002 and moved to Washington, D.C., where she was admitted to the Bar.
Soon after that, she returned home to West Virginia and practiced for four years with the non-profit firm, Mountain State Justice, where she represented low-income clients in consumer protection cases, such as predatory lending. She then joined the Jan Dils legal team.
Working for a non-profit and working for the Jan Dils Law Firm is similar in many ways, said Heather, who helps clients in obtaining Social Security disability benefits and veterans’ benefits.
“It’s all about being client-centered and working for them,” she said. “I would do no other kind of law. It’s not even within the realm of possibility for me to think of doing any other kind of law. How many people go to work each day and know they’re going to make a huge difference in somebody’s life? Here, we get to do that every single day.”
Heather works hard at preparing for each case and at aggressively representing her clients in hearings before the Social Security Administration and Veterans Administration.
The key to her success is getting to know her clients, she said. It’s also one of the reasons why she loves her job.
“I’ve had to educate myself as far as my knowledge of general medical conditions, but the bottom line is that you have to get to the heart of what makes your client understandable, believable and likeable. You have to know and tell their story,” Heather said.
“And I’m motivated by my clients’ stories," she said. "They enrich my life every day.”
When she isn’t working, Heather spends time with her husband and two toddlers at home.
