The Platoon Leader is responsible for developing the overall legal strategy and selecting the specific course of action most likely to result in a successful claim.
Our VA Disability Attorneys manage planning, analysis and intensive written appeals to create comprehensive legal arguments.
Taylor Wikum is a former Specialist in the Colorado Army National Guard (2012–2018), serving as a Forward Observer and Military Police Officer. A recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Colorado Emergency Service Ribbon, he brings operational discipline to Veterans disability advocacy.
After successfully navigating the VA system to secure his own tinnitus benefits, Taylor developed firsthand insight into the procedural barriers Veterans face. He now constructs evidence-driven appeals designed to dismantle denials and secure earned compensation.
As a Platoon Leader, he leads with a military ethos—methodical preparation, relentless follow-through, and results that withstand scrutiny.
Military Service: U.S. Army National Guard (2012–2018), Specialist; Forward Observer and Military Police, Fort Carson.
Education: J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law, 2022; B.A., University of Northern Colorado.
Bar Admissions: Colorado; Nebraska; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Scott Luis is a VA Disability Attorney and U.S. Army Veteran who served seven years as an Engineer Officer, deploying to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division. He knows firsthand what service demands and what Veterans have earned. A graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law and Auburn University, Scott is decorated with the Sapper Tab, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Scott now puts that same discipline into building cases that secure the benefits Veterans deserve.
Military Service: U.S. Army (2013-2020), Captain; Engineer Officer with a deployment to Iraq with the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Duty stations at Fort Drum, NY and Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Education: J.D., University of Georgia School of Law; B.A., Auburn University.
Bar Admissions: Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Will Smith is a Marine Corps Veteran and VA Disability Attorney with a 10.0 AVVO rating. He uses the mental resilience and discipline he developed as an Infantry Sergeant to navigate the VA appeals process. Before Berry Law, Will spent fifteen years at his own firm practicing criminal defense, civil litigation, and nursing home malpractice suits. His work advocating for vulnerable populations, particularly elderly and disabled clients, gave him firsthand insight into the challenges faced by veterans later in life. Will is dedicated to advocating for Veterans who have struggled to get results on their own, ensuring they receive the full compensation they earned.
Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (1996–2000), Sergeant; Infantryman in a FAST company with deployments to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Education: J.D., Georgia State College of Law; B.A., Augusta State University.
Bar Admissions: Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Jennifer Collier is a Veterans Disability Attorney who helps clients navigate the bureaucracy of the VA to receive the full measure of benefits they have earned. As a military spouse of 25 years to a retired Army Veteran, Jennifer possesses a deep understanding of the sacrifices military families make. One of her most rewarding professional experiences involved informing a Veteran that he was granted a 100% Permanent and Total rating after being stuck at 0% for many years.
Education: J.D., Washburn University School of Law, 2022; B.A., University of Hawaii, 2018.
Bar Admissions: Colorado; Montana; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Kevin Mitchell is a VA Disability Attorney with 16 years of internal expertise gained from working within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This unique professional background allows him to understand exactly where cases stall and what specific evidence is required to overcome VA roadblocks. For Kevin, representing Veterans is a personal calling, as he is married to an Air Force Veteran and comes from an extended military family.
Education: J.D., University of St. Thomas, 2009; B.A., University of West Georgia, 2005.
Bar Admissions: Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Jordyn Greene is a Veterans Disability Attorney and military spouse who brings a firsthand appreciation of the challenges associated with active-duty service, deployments, and military transitions. Her journey into law was inspired by her work supporting Veteran-owned businesses, where she witnessed the hurdles service members face when returning to civilian life.
Education: J.D., University of Missouri School of Law, 2024.
Bar Admissions: Missouri; District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
David Leach is a Veterans Disability Attorney with over 14 years of experience in federal litigation and administrative law. Before joining Berry Law, David spent more than a decade with the Social Security Administration’s Office of General Counsel, where he represented the federal government in complex disability appeals. He now uses this deep understanding of federal bureaucracy to deconstruct flawed VA decisions and create well-supported appeals that result in real-world benefits, such as 100% ratings for his clients.
Education: J.D., South Texas College of Law, 2010; B.A., Texas Southern University, 2007.
Bar Admissions: Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Andrew Wilcox is a Veterans Disability Attorney who brings over 13 years of expertise in administrative and regulatory law to his advocacy. Prior to joining Berry Law, Andrew served as an appeals referee for the State of Missouri, gaining a unique perspective on how administrative decisions are evaluated and can be overturned. This specialized insight allows him to anticipate VA arguments and build highly resilient appeals for his clients to honor their service.
Education: J.D., University of Missouri School of Law; B.A., University of Missouri.
Bar Admissions: Missouri; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Connor Sherman is a Veterans Disability Attorney who draws on his professional background as a writer and editor to review VA files with technical precision. With two grandfathers and a brother in the military, Connor is committed to honoring the service of Veterans by securing the benefits they earned. In his first year at Berry Law, he successfully brought a Veteran from a 0% to a 100% disability rating and won hundreds of thousands of dollars in backpay awards.
Education: J.D., George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, 2022; B.S., Florida State University, 2017.
Bar Admissions: District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
arah McIntosh is a VA Disability Attorney who brings over twenty years of legal experience and a deep commitment to justice to her work. Her extensive career has spanned trial advocacy, public policy, and education, including service as an adjunct lecturer at Wichita State University and as a clerk to the Superior Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sarah is dedicated to helping Veterans earn compensation for claims they were previously unsuccessful in getting service-connected, recently having been named to the Virginia Access to Justice Commission's Pro Bono Service Honor Roll for three consecutive years.
Education: J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2005; B.A., Wichita State University, 2002.
Bar Admissions: Kansas; Missouri; Virginia; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Turner Jensen is a Veterans Disability Attorney who earned recognition for his pro-bono Service and served as an editor for the Nebraska Law Review. He is an expert in identifying creative mechanisms for secondary service connection and uses his keen eye for detail to maximize benefits.
Education: J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law; B.A. with distinction, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Bar Admissions: Nebraska; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Matthew Leuty is a Veterans Disability Benefits Attorney who draws on his previous experience as a Criminal Defense Attorney to advocate for those denied benefits by the VA. In law school he served as a senior-certified student in the Debtor’s Defense Clinic, successfully securing dismissals and helping to draft legislation to protect families from foreclosure over minor debts. Matthew approaches every case with a service-based mentality rooted in empathy and the belief that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity.
Education: J.D. with distinction, University of Nebraska College of Law.
Bar Admissions: Nebraska; U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Case Managers serve as the engine of the process, executing the established plan and ensuring that every phase of your claim continues to move forward efficiently.
Shannon Nielsen is a highly experienced Case Manager and Air Force Veteran who served for over three decades. During her 36-year career in the USAF and Nebraska Air National Guard, she specialized in public affairs and knowledge operations with deployments to Djibouti and Guam. Shannon retired at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E8) and uses her extensive administrative expertise to manage the full lifecycle of complex disability claims. She currently serves as the Commander of American Legion Post 140.
Military Service: U.S. Air Force and Nebraska Air National Guard (1989–2025), Senior Master Sergeant; Public Affairs and Knowledge Operations specialist with deployments to Djibouti and Guam.
Aleece Reetz is a Case Manager who utilizes her extensive research and medical background to secure the highest possible ratings and earliest effective dates for her clients. Formerly a research nurse, Aleece is driven by a deep desire to help people and is committed to documenting the full story of every Veteran to find every available option for service connection. She approaches every case with persistence, ensuring her clients feel prioritized throughout the entire claims process.
Erik Root is a Case Manager who brings years of internal experience from working at the Department of Veterans Affairs to his role at Berry Law. His deep insight into VA criteria and regulations allows him to draft precisely worded appeals that cite the specific references VA employees use daily. Erik recently secured a 100% disability rating for a Vietnam-era Veteran who had been fighting the system for years, providing long-overdue respect and compensation.
Shelby Termentozzi is a dedicated Case Manager who views her work as the most meaningful way to thank Veterans for their dedication to the country. Based in rural Nebraska, she provides clear correspondence and empathetic support to ensure her clients understand every stage of the appeals process. Shelby recently achieved a 100% Permanent and Total rating for a struggling client, securing significant backpay and providing the validation the Veteran had sought for years.
Chanel Herrman is a Case Manager who focuses on deep research and finding strategic paths to service connection. Chanel treats every Veteran as her primary priority and is determined to secure their rightful recognition.
Brittany Jones is an Omaha-based Case Manager who specializes in deconstructing complex records and organizing evidence to build powerful appeals for Veterans. She works closely with Berry Law’s attorneys to ensure every detail of a case is carefully documented, maintaining constant communication with clients to provide updates and clarity throughout the process.
The Veteran Support Squad works directly with you to gather essential evidence, answer your daily questions, and keep you fully informed throughout the duration of your case.
John Nale is a Marine Corps Veteran who served six years as a Field Artillery Cannoneer, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As a disabled Veteran who successfully navigated his own appeals process, he understands the physical and mental toll of the VA process and relates to his fellow Veterans as he delivers respectful and professional service.
Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (2008–2014), Sergeant; 0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer and IED Detection Dog Handler with a deployment to Afghanistan.
Samuel Martinez Sr. is an Army Veteran who served seven years as a Sergeant, working as both a Pershing Electrical Mechanical Repairer and an Armor Crew member. With over 40 years of experience in field service engineering and trucking, Samuel brings a strong sense of teamwork and discipline to the Veteran Support team.
Military Service: U.S. Army (1983–1990), Sergeant; 46N20 Pershing Electrical Mechanical Repairer and 19E20 Armor Crew Member with duty stations at Fort Knox, Fort Polk, and Fort Sill.
Ruby Diaz is a current member of the Army National Guard and a primary point of communication for Berry Law clients. She facilitates the exchange of information between Veterans and their legal teams, using her military background in human resources to ensure that all administrative obligations are fulfilled with precision.
Military Service: Army National Guard (2014–Present); Human Resources.
Reba Ramirez served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Supply Specialist, reaching the rank of Corporal (E4) while stationed at Camp Lejeune. Having navigated the VA process herself for five years to achieve a 100% rating, Reba is committed to ensuring fellow Veterans do not feel overwhelmed and provides vital support to Veterans seeking clarity and updates on their disability cases.
Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (2012–2016), Corporal; 3051 Supply specialist with a duty station at Camp Lejeune.
Michael Nalker served seven years in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Combat Medic, reaching the rank of Specialist (E4) while serving at duty stations including Ft. Sam Houston, Ft. Benning, and Ft. Irwin. Having personally navigated the VA process for 15 years before joining the firm, Michael is dedicated to spreading awareness and providing fellow Veterans with the reassurance and unspoken understanding between Veterans that they need to successfully secure their benefits.
Military Service: U.S. Army (2002–2009), Specialist; 91WP1 Airborne Combat Medic with a deployment to Iraq and duty stations at Ft. Sam Houston, Ft. Benning, and Ft. Irwin.
Michael Loutzenhiser is an Air Force Veteran who assists clients with general questions and the overall navigation of the VA process. Having left the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, Michael understands the value of hard work and teamwork. He is currently navigating the VA process personally, giving him an inside perspective on what veterans and their families experience every day.
Military Service: U.S. Air Force (1998–2005), SSgt; 2S071 Material Management specialist.
Logan Harty is a Marine Corps Veteran and proud member of Berry Law since 2021. He specializes in providing Veterans with clear explanations of the VA process to reduce the frustration of a confusing and slow system. Logan’s military background in communications allows him to ensure that all information provided to clients is accurate and thorough.
Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (2008–2012); Communications specialist with a deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Ken Bankston is an Air Force Veteran who served as an Aircraft Electrical Craftsman. Ken now uses his discipline and attention to detail to help fellow Veterans navigate the bureaucracy and sluggishness of the VA. He is a husband and father of six who is dedicated to lifting up fellow Veterans after they have given their best years to serve our nation.
Military Service: U.S. Air Force (2003–2012), E6; 2A676 Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems Craftsman with duty stations at Barksdale AFB and Eglin AFB.
Kimberly Pereira is a military spouse who understands firsthand the sacrifices that service members and their families make. With a background in Veteran-focused nonprofits, Kimberly is committed to ensuring every client feels heard, respected and supported throughout the life of their case.
Alexandria Bourquin specializes in keeping Veterans informed with accurate and timely case updates. With deep knowledge of the Veteran experience as a military spouse, she uses her strong communication skills to facilitate information between clients and their legal teams, ensuring that every Veteran feels supported and prioritized.
Cristina Hilker is driven to help Veterans get what they deserve after seeing the challenges they face while working in healthcare. With a large family of Marines, Sailors, and Airmen, Cristina is proud to assist the legal team and the Veterans they serve by answering complex client questions and ensuring all important documents are processed accurately.
Kathy Harber brings a lifetime of military family ties to her role supporting Veterans. With a father who served in WWII and children and grandchildren who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kathy understands the multi-generational impact of service. She provides a compassionate ear and simplifies complex terms and processes, ensuring that every Veteran feels heard and acknowledged in their claim.
Jadyn Keith treats every Veteran she assists like an extended member of her own family, many of whom served in the U.S. military. Jadyn uses her communication skills and empathy to assist with their case and make sure Veterans know they are not alone in this fight. She has immense respect for the resilience of the military community and takes pride in helping Veterans push forward with their claims.
David Herrera works to ensure Veterans are never left in the dark regarding their appeals. He has professional experience witnessing the life-changing impact of Veterans finally reaching a 100% rating after years of struggle, which fuels his commitment to providing excellent service.
