Mary K. Hoefer
I started practicing law in 1981 and worked in a variety of areas, including criminal defense, personal injury, and prisoner civil rights. My practice in those areas helped me to realize the importance of doing work that reflects my values of social justice and compassion. I knew I had found my niche when I won my first Social Security Disability case in the mid-80s. Since then, my disability practice has grown to also include Workers’ Compensation and Veterans' Benefits. In 2011, together with a group of like-minded colleagues, I founded the Hoefer Law Firm, a firm that is exclusively dedicated to obtaining benefits for people with injuries and disabilities.
Experience
- 2011-present
- Attorney, Hoefer Flaming, Iowa City, IA
- 1987-2011
- Attorney, Mears Law Office, Iowa City, IA
- 1983-1987
- Attorney, Tom Riley Law Firm, Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1981-1983
- Attorney, Sladek & Lynch, Iowa City, IA
Bar Admissions and Certifications
- 1981
- State of Iowa
- 1984
- United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa
- 1984
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- 1986
- United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa
- 2011
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, accredited attorney
- 2013
- United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- 2014
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Memberships
- Iowa Association for Justice/Workers’ Compensation Division
- National Organization for Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR)
- National Organization for Veterans' Advocates (NOVA)
- Iowa Academy of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys – Board of Governors
Presentations/Publications
- 2015
- NOSSCR National Social Security Disability Law Conference: Incorporating Homeless Outreach into Your Practice
- 2014, 2012, 2010
- National Business Institute: Handling a Social Security Disability Case
- 2014
- UNI Veterans’ Association: Five Things Every Veteran Should Know About Veterans’ Disability
- 2013
- VA Stand Down: Eligibility for VA Benefits
- 2013
- Iowa Association for Justice: Client Credibility in Workers’ Compensation Cases
- 2011
- Iowa Association for Justice: Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update
- 2011
- Minnesota Continuing Legal Education: Credibility in Social Security Disability Claims
Education
- 1980
- JD, with High Distinction, University of Iowa College Law
- 1977
- BA, University of Iowa
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