 Mr. Downard worked for the Social Security Administration for over 11 years prior to receiving his law degree. Since then, he has spent another 8 years handling Social Security and Disability cases. That's nearly 20 years of direct experience working both for and against the Social Security Administration. At Downard & Associates, our team of lawyers and staff bring similar experience to our other areas of practice as well, including criminal defense, domestic relations, personal injury, and more. Contact us today for more information. Our goal at Downard & Associates, PLLC is to treat every client with the respect every person deserves. We focus our talents on helping the person and not just handling the case. As our client, you can expect us to resolve your issue promptly in the most favorable manner possible. Downard & Associates, PLLC is made up of real lawyers working hard for real people. We are not a law firm made of stuffy lawyers, but a team of professionals dedicated to helping our community. Attorney Profiles David Downard
 Hello, my name is David Downard. I was born in Springfield, Tennessee in 1968. I would like to tell you why the Disability Program is important to me. My father died when I was (12) twelve years old, and I was raised by my grandparents. I received Social Security Benefits which, in turn, financially helped me graduate high school. After I graduated high school, I went to college. While in college, I was married. We had a son that was born with a disability. I worked full time, but we still qualified for SSI and Medicaid. His medical bills were paid (in excess of $1,000,000.00) while I was able to graduate. He died of heart failure in 1991. That year, I decided to work for the Social Security Administration and started as a service representative. At the same time, my grandmother applied for disability and was denied. I had no idea how to help her win. She gave up on trying to get her disability. She was (60) sixty years old. I continued working for the Social Security Administration. After awhile, I knew I could help people fight for disability. I enrolled in law school and graduated in 2002. Since then, I have committed myself to disabled people who need guidance to obtain the monetary and medical benefits they deserve. Thank you,
William F. Taylor
 Chief Judge – Social Security Administration – Nashville, Tennessee from 2006 to 2010. More than 15 total years as a Social Security Judge. Tried more than 9,000 Social Security/SSI cases just like yours. 33 years of experience in Federal Disability Law. Honorable Discharge United States Army 1966 (Member of the American Legion) 1969 Bachelor’s Degree Lambuth College (now University) 1969 to 1971 Manager Montgomery Ward and Company 1973 Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Tennessee 1974 Licensed to practice law in Tennessee 1974 to 1977 Private practice of law Nashville, Tennessee 1977 to 1978 Assistant District Attorney General, State of Tennessee 1980 Graduate, The National Institute of Trial Advocacy 1978 to 1994 Trial Attorney U.S. Department of Labor-Office of the Solicitor 1981 to 1982 Special assignment United States Department of Justice-Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Kentucky 1994 to 2010 Social Security Judge Chief Judge Social Security Administration Nashville, Tennessee 2006 to 2010 Past Professional Association: Nashville Bar Association General Session Court Committee Argued and presented cases in the following Appellate Courts: Tennessee Court of Appeals Admitted to Practice Tennessee Supreme Court Admitted to Practice United States Supreme Court
Steve Gibson
 Born Nashville, Tennessee, November 17, 1959; admitted to bar, 1993, Texas; 1994, Tennessee Education: McGavock High School (1977); Freed-Hardeman University (B.A., cum laude, 1981); University of Texas School of Law (J. D., 1992); Dean’s Achievement Award for “Children and the Law” (1992). Committee Member, Tennessee Bar Association Domestic Relations Section (2002) Published cases: Successful oral argument before Middle Section Court of Appeals and Tennessee Supreme Court on behalf of Plaintiff in Brown v. Birman Managed Care, Inc. 42 S.W. 3d 62 (Tenn. 2001) (corporate fraud); Trial experience; Jury verdicts in both civil and criminal cases, including successful “entrapment” defense against Davidson County Drug Task Force (1999) Government experience: Appellate Section, TennCare Disenrollment Project (2005-06); Disability Claims Examiner, Social Security Administration (2007); Law Professor, University of Phoenix, Nashville Campus (2002-2003); Paralegal Instructor, Volunteer State Community College (2000); Southeastern Paralegal Institute (2001); also Tennessee Junior Chess Champion (1974), Guitarist, Nashville Musicians Union (1979-present), Minister and author (1975-present) Practice Areas: General Civil Litigation; Domestic Relations; Juvenile Court; Criminal Defense; Personal Injury.
Robert Parker
 Mr. Parker is an associate with the firm. His practice focuses primarily in the areas of Social Security Disability/SSI, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Divorce, and Criminal Defense. A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Mr. Parker obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Lambuth University in 2004 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2008 from the Nashville School of Law. Mr. Parker is a member of the Nashville Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before all Tennessee trial and appellate courts. Mr. Parker is currently the #1 ranked tennis player in the South in the5.0 singles division and the 9.0 doubles division.
Brenda Benson
 Ms. Benson is an associate attorney with the firm. Her practice focuses primarily in the areas of social security disability/SSI, family law, worker’s compensation and personal injury. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from Middle Tennessee State University and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2006 from the Nashville School of Law. While attending law school, Ms. Benson served as law clerk for Chancellor Robert Corlew, III and in the Clerk and Master’s Office gaining much courtroom exposure in the various Circuit and Chancery courts of Rutherford County. Ms. Benson is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the Andrew Jackson American Inns of Court. She chose Social Security law as her primary focus because of her compassion for disabled individuals who are in need of and deserving of their benefits. Lindsey Ralston Ms. Ralston is an associate attorney with our firm. Her practice focuses primarily in the areas of Social Security Disability/SSI, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Family Law. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in 2006, and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2011, from the Nashville School of Law; where she was a member of the Nashville School of Law Legal Society. During law school, Ms. Ralston worked as a legal assistant in the areas of Social Security Disability/SSI, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death, and Personal Injury. She also volunteered her time as a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. Ms. Ralston currently volunteers at a local High School as their Mock Trial Coach. Support Staff
Veronica Dismuke Paralegal/Office Manager
 Kaplan Center Institute College, Nashville, TN Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies, ABA Approved 3.54 GPA (Honors) in 2008 Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability, Worker’s Composition, Domestic, Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy Law
Lisa Tittle, Office Manager
 Graduate of Hendersonville High School. Attended Volunteer State Community College. Spent 30 years in Administrative Management with the Tennessee Department of Health where management responsibilities included budget, personnel, contracts, purchasing and legislative affairs. Retired in June 2008 and joined Downard and Associates in 2010.
Karen K. Chapman, Legal Assistant/Office Manager of Jackson Office
 Graduate of Lambuth University with a Bachelor of Science Degree Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability
Shirley G. Allen, Office Consultant
 Graduate of Columbia Central High School Employed by the Federal Government for more than forty years. Worked in Office of Disability Adjudication and Review and the Social Security Administration for more than 30 years Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability
Amy Alexander, Office Clerk
 Graduate of Madison Academy in Madison, Tennessee Worked for Gaylord Opryland Resort for 12 years before joining Downard and Associates. Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability
Crystal D. Knight, Legal Secretary/Intake Specialist
 Graduate of Nashville Academy and attended Nashville State Community College. Worked for several major corporations in the Nashville area including: Vanderbilt U.M.C., Gaylord Entertainment and The Nashville SCENE. Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability
Chelsea L. Edwards, Intake Specialist
 Graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BS degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Currently attending Nashville School of Law.
Jessica H. Donnell, Office Consultant
 Hancock Scholars Award graduate of Hunters Lane Comprehensive High School. Attended Nossi College of Arts.
Agnese C. Henderson, Legal Case Manager
 Graduate of Hendersonville High School. Currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. Spent five years in restaurant management before joining Downard and Associates in 2010.
Hana A Hurst, Intake Specialist
 A graduate of McGavock Comprehensive High School. Graduate of Columbia Central High School 1964. Work experience included Customer Service Management and Event Coordination prior to joining Downard and Associates in 2010.
Celeste Grant, Office Consultant
 Graduate of Gallatin High School. Worked in restaurant management for two years, prior to joining Downard and Associates in 2010.
Tanekia Brown, Administrative Assistant/Paralegal
 Graduate of Daymar Institute with an Associates degree in Paralegal Studies. Legal Support Areas: Social Security Disability
Davien Dewanne Hooten, Jr
 Summer Intern |
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