Attorneys & Staff

Meet Our Attorneys & Representatives 

JAN DILS
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Since 1994, Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, LC, has offered professional, caring service to all of its clients. Now serving the Parkersburg, Charleston, Logan and Beckley areas. Jan Dils and her firm are experienced in all forms of Social Security and Disability benefits, Veteran's Benefits and Personal Injury cases.

Jan Dils graduated from Marietta College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Marketing and Economics. She then went on to receive her Masters in Business Administration in 1991, and her law degree from West Virginia University in 1994. That same year, she was admitted to the West Virginia Bar, and began practicing in Parkersburg. The focal point of her practice has been helping clients with Social Security, Veteran's Benefits and Personal Injury Law. Jan is a sustaining member of the National Association of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

ANGIE THOMPSON
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Dedication to providing a voice for those who are not always heard is the driving force behind Angie Thompson and her work as an Attorney for Jan Dils. After personally meeting with her clients, Angie works on preparing each claim, then represents her clients at hearings. Prior to joining the Jan Dils team, Angie finished her law degree and completed an internship with The Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

Angie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Westminster College in 2004. She went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Duquesne Law School in 2008. Angie is also accredited within the Department of Veterans' Administration, which gives her valuable experience, knowledge and insight into many areas of specific concern to veterans.

CRAIG LAVENDER
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Craig completed his undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Washington and Lee University where he excelled in both the classroom and on the football field. Craig then graduated from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law in 2003. He then worked as a Public Defender in the 25th Judicial Circuit for two years Following his work as a Public Defender, Craig spent two years practicing Social Security and Personal Injury law. He is admitted to practice in both State and Federal Court in West Virginia.

HEATHER E. VANHOOSE
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Before returning to her home state of West Virginia, Heather gained a valuable mix of education and experience that make her such an important part of the Jan Dils team. She graduated from Hobart William Smith colleges (Geneva, New York) in 1999 with a double major in political science and environmental studies. She then attended Roger Williams University School of Law and graduated in 2002. Upon graduation from law school, Heather moved to Washington D.C. and was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. Not long after that, Heather moved home to West Virginia and practiced law for over four years with the not-for-profit firm Mountain State Justice. There, she focused on helping low income families with consumer protection issues. Heather joined the Jan Dils team in the summer of 2007 and is now focusing on Social Security and Veterans benefits. Heather is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

JIM LEACH
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Prior to teaming with Jan Dils in Personal Injury matters, Jim Leach acquired extensive experience practicing cases involving personal injury and death in West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia. A former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in Parkersburg, Mr. Leach received a Bachelor of Science Degree and his law degree from West Virginia University. Licensed in West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia.

ANGELA BRUNICARDI
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Ever since her time at in law school, Angela Brunicardi has been driven by her desire to help people get through a difficult period in their lives.  A Parkersburg native, Angela received both her undergraduate and law degrees from West Virginia University. She joined the Jan Dils Law Firm after law school, where she had the opportunity to participate in the school’s immigration law clinic. For nearly two semesters, Angela and her classmates represented a man who was on the brink of being deported and separated from his family. As a result of the law students’ work, however, he was able to remain in West Virginia. Angela also served an internship in the Mountain State Blue Cross Blue Shield legal department and clerked in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals under the late Justice Joseph P. Albright.  She is admitted to the West Virginia State Bar Association.  As member of the Dils team, she focuses on representing clients in Social Security benefits hearings and appeals

BLAIRE WOOD
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Blaire Wood’s grandfather served for many years as a judge in her hometown of Selma, Alabama. In a way, she goes before him every time she has a hearing.  However, Blaire ultimately credits her parents for setting her on the path that led to her role as a disability benefits attorney with Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law. From the time she was young, Blaire says she was taught to be compassionate, caring and helpful to those in need.  Blaire comes to the Jan Dils team from the Faulkner University Jones School of Law in Alabama, where she actively participated with the law school’s advocacy team and acquired skills that have benefited her as an attorney.  She says it’s important to know a client’s case thoroughly in order to convey the client’s story before a judge.  Blaire received her undergraduate degree in 2007 from Auburn University, where she studied agricultural economics and rural sociology.

KATHERINE J. HARTUNG
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A Bridgeport native, Katherine became a classically trained opera singer at Shepherd University, where she was a Joseph McMurran Scholar and graduated in the top 1 percent in her class. Instead of pursuing the stage, however, she pursued law school, sending her on a path that led her to representing Social Security disability claimants at the Jan Dils Law Firm. After earning her degree from the West Virginia University School of Law, Katherine clerked at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals’ workers’ compensation division. She then practiced toxic torts litigation at a private law firm, representing factory workers who had developed diseases from their exposure to harmful chemicals.  Her legal background has helped Katherine develop outstanding legal research and writing skills. But what she enjoys the most is meeting one-on-one with clients at intake assessments and while preparing them for hearings. She’s found that she can have a reassuring tone.  Katherine is a member of the West Virginia Bar Association and Generation Charleston.

ORLA POWDERLY
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Orla Powderly grew up watching her father and uncle serve as physicians for miners and factory workers around the Parkersburg area. In a way, she followed in their footsteps.   Orla took an accelerated path to becoming a lawyer. At Duquesne University, she studied in a program that allowed her to earn both her undergraduate and law degrees within six years.  After earning her law license, she worked at a Pittsburgh law firm, where she represented union workers who were fighting to get their jobs back under collective bargaining agreements. That background has allowed her to easily transition to Social Security disability law as a member of the Dils team.  On a daily basis, Orla meets with clients who are seeking Social Security disability or supplemental security income benefits. She reviews their medical records and advocates for them at hearings before administrative law judges.  She is a member of the West Virginia Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

SHANNAN HINZMAN: CERTIFIED SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMANTS REPRESENTATIVE
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As a certified Social Security Advocate, for Jan Dils' law practice, Shannan Hinzman shares her experience, knowledge and a caring attitude with each and every client. Having previously been contracted by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review of the Social Security Administration, she has thirteen years' experience in the area of Social Security law. She graduated from WVU in 1995 with an Associates degree in business administration and psychology. On a daily basis, Shannan processes and reviews medical records looking for information that demonstrates our clients are medically disabled while arranging that information in a format that allows our attorneys and advocates to convince the Judges that our clients are disabled. She is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR). Shannan is a dedicated worker and a great asset to our firm.

VIRGINIA MAYLE
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Virginia Mayle's education and experience in law and disability have made her a valuable addition to the Jan Dils team. A former associate with Barkan and Barkan, Attorney at Law, Virginia also worked for the Ohio Bureau of Disability Determination. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Ohio University, a Master's Degree from Kent State University, and her law degree from Ohio State University. Admitted to practice law in Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Ohio, Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. Virginia is also a member of NOSSCR.

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