Irish Bernhardt

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Idaho and has no record of discipline from the Idaho bar association.*

Firm Overview

Main Office

Main
6661 N. Glenwood Street
Garden City ID 83714

Phone

(208)344-3839

Fax

(208)384-0011

Websites

Irish Bernhardt, LLP

Office Information

Emergency After Hours

SSDI

Our attorneys focus entirely on assisting clients to receive their benefits either through the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans' Affairs. We handle Social Security Disability, SSI and VA Compensation and Pension claims.

At Irish Bernhardt, we have intentionally maintained a small firm mentality. Especially because we handle disability claims, we believe it is important that each client has the chance to meet with his or her attorney directly. When a new client asks for our assistance, we ask for the opportunity to sit down with them and get to know their situation first. We primarily handle claims here at home in Idaho, so our clients are close to us and so that we are available to them. The stress of fighting with a large federal agency is difficult enough, worrying about whether or not your attorney can really pay attention to your case shouldn't be an added strain.
When we sit down together, our attorneys can explain the process by which the administrative agency decides whether you are eligible to receive benefits. We examine each aspect of your claim and evaluate it in relation to the criteria used to grant benefits. We provide you with the information you need to make knowledgeable choices and to improve your chances of success. In some cases, we may be able to refer you to various resources in the community that can help you cope with the legal, medical and financial difficulties you face in the days, weeks and months that follow an accident, injury or illness. Having an attorney who is truly here to help you can make all the difference, not only in the outcome of your claim, but also in how you feel going through the process.

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

Each attorney in our practice chose to help with disability claims because we care about people. We enjoy the fulfillment that comes with assisting another person in need. We enjoy the interaction that Social Security Disability and Veterans' claims provide. There are so many areas of law to choose from, but we each wanted to practice in an area where we can make a real contribution for our clients. With disability law, we know we can make a significant difference, and most importantly, we are helping those who need help the most.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

Because of our choice to remain a local law firm, Irish Bernhardt provides a unique opportunity that is becoming harder and harder to find. We don't want to represent our clients over the phone or through the mail. We want to meet our clients and we want our clients to meet us. We firmly believe that we will better succeed with our disability cases when we have had the opportunity to speak face to face with each client and we truly understand the difficulties they face. Often a case will turn on specific details that can't always be detected from a simple reading of the medical records. Sitting down and talking with our clients gives us the chance to learn more about the details that are going to matter.
For our clients, we believe it makes a tremendous difference when they know who we are and how we work. We want our clients to know that we care about their well-being and that we are here to help as best we can. The appeals process can be grueling, either with Social Security or with the Veterans' Administration. Our clients need to know that we are here to support them through the entire process.

Jake Bernhardt

Jacob A. Bernhardt is an attorney dedicated to helping injured veterans and disabled individuals pursue Veterans Benefits and Social Security Disability through administrative filing, hearings and appeals processes. As a lawyer who focuses on these areas, Mr. Bernhardt is highly familiar with the issues and problems that arise in benefits-related hearings and offers sound advice to help stave off the consequences of an ill-prepared claim for benefits.

Throughout the years, Mr. Bernhardt has maintained an active interest in giving back to the community. He has been a Boy Scout Troop Leader who organized, prepared and coordinated monthly activities for the troop. Mr. Bernhardt continues to actively participate in his church community, providing service through regular projects. In addition, Mr. Bernhardt participates in various local events supporting legal and charitable organizations.

Mr. Bernhardt earned his B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1999 and began working as a non-attorney claimants representative, assisting with Social Security Disability claims. He continued representing the disabled as he attended law school and graduated with a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2006. He was admitted to the bar in Idaho in the same year. He is currently a member of the Idaho Bar Association, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) and the National Organizations of Veterans' Advocates (NOVA).

Seminars presented:

2009 - National Business Institute, Social Security Disability Law
2011 - National Business Institute, Ethical Considerations in Social Security Disability Cases

License

Bar Number: 7483
Idaho , 2006

Debra Young Irish

Debra Young Irish is an attorney distinguished by her experience, skill and legal acumen in the area of Social Security Disability law. Ms. Irish has been recognized for her work ethic and legal ability through induction into an elite group of attorneys distinguished as AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, an honor based on votes cast by a panel of their peers and reserved for lawyers who demonstrate the highest levels of ethical standards and legal ability.

Ms. Irish began her legal career as a clerk to the Honorable Michael S. Williams, a federal district court judge in the state of Idaho. Thereafter, she joined a law firm where she focused her attention on workers compensation and Social Security Disability law. Ms. Irish is currently a member of the Idaho Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

In addition, Ms. Irish is active in her community. She has organized and participated in community service projects as a member and a past president of the Capital City Kiwanis. She is an inductee of the Daughters of the Nile, regularly participating in fundraising efforts that benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children which is a network of 22 hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico that rely on donor support to provide free medical services to children with orthopedic conditions, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate conditions.

Ms. Irish earned her undergraduate degree from Boise State University and graduated with a B.B.A. in Business Management. She later attended the University of Idaho, College of Law and graduated with a J.D. in 1990. She has been admitted to practice law in Idaho since 1990. She has also been inducted into the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers for 2011.

Seminars presented

2003 - National Business Institute, Social Security Disability Law
2006 - Idaho State Bar, SSI/Children's Disability Claims Idaho Law Foundation, Social Security Disability Claims
2008 - Law Day presentation to Meridian Medical Charter School
2009 - National Business Institute, Social Security Disability Law
2011 - AFL-CIO, What to Know About Social Security Disability Claims

Timothy Cluff

Timothy G. Cluff graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology before graduating at the top of his class with a J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 2010. Mr. Cluff has had the distinguished honor of being inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society and the Tau Alpha Pi Engineering Technology Honor Society.

A lifelong resident of the western states, Mr. Cluff is an active member of his faith and a leader in his congregation. When he is not at work, he enjoys sports including BYU football and basketball, gardening, singing, and spending time with his wife and five young children.

Mr. Cluff is a registered federal patent attorney and an attorney accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist military claimants. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar, the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR). He has been licensed to practice law in Idaho since 2010.

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.