Aaron Hotfelder

J.D. · University of Missouri School of Law

Aaron Hotfelder is a legal editor at Nolo specializing in employment law and workers' compensation law. He has written for Nolo and Lawyers.com since 2011, covering topics ranging from workplace discrimination to unemployment benefits to employee privacy laws. He's a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA).    

Books and citations. Aaron has edited many Nolo titles, including The Manager's Legal Handbook, Dealing With Problem Employees, and Working With Independent Contractors, and is a co-author of The Employer's Legal Handbook. Aaron's work has been cited by U.S. News & World Report, TheStreet.com, the St. Louis University Law Journal, and the Minnesota Law Review, among many other outlets.

Early legal career. Before joining Nolo as a legal editor, Aaron worked at a small law firm in Columbia, Missouri, representing clients in Social Security disability, long-term disability, and workers’ compensation cases. He later spent three years serving as an employment law consultant for a human resources and benefits compliance firm.

Education. Aaron received his law degree in 2010 from the University of Missouri School of Law. He holds a B.S. in criminal justice from Truman State University, known by some as the "Harvard of Northeast Missouri." 


Articles By Aaron Hotfelder

Can I Get Disability for PTSD?
Proper medical documentation is the basis of a successful Social Security disability claim for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
ERISA Disability Benefits Applications: 6 Common Mistakes
Increase your chance of getting ERISA group disability benefits by avoiding these common mistakes.
How to File and Collect Unemployment Benefits in California
If you're a California worker who's been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic or for any other reason, you might be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Can You Be Fired From a Job While on Leave With Disability?
Being granted disability insurance benefits while you are off work does not prevent your employer from taking your job away.
How Much Do Long-Term Disability Attorneys Charge?
Long-term disability lawyers often work on a contingency basis; you don't pay if you don't win.
How Much Does Long-Term Disability Pay?
How much long-term disability pays depends on the terms of your LTD policy, but it will be a percentage of your wages, minus other benefits.
Do I Need to Hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer?
If you have long-term disability (LTD) insurance and become unable to work, you should hire an experienced LTD attorney as soon as possible to maximize your chances of success.
Should I Hire a Workers' Comp Attorney, or Can I Handle My Own Case?
Learn when to hire a workers' compensation attorney, and when you might be able to handle your claim yourself.
Why Long-Term Disability (LTD) Applications Get Denied
Employer-provided long-term disability (LTD) policies are governed by a federal law known as ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Employee Wage and Hour Rights FAQ
Frequently asked questions about employee compensation and hour laws.