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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.
“I know the expectations he would have of me if I were an attorney in his court,” says Blaire, who represents individuals seeking disability benefits in hearings before administrative law judges. “I think that motivates me to do my best.”
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.
“Helping Social Security claimants and veterans in need of benefits falls naturally in line with that,” she says. “These people are suffering and going through terrible times of both physical and emotional pain. They need an attorney who is going to be patient and understanding, and who’s going to work hard for them.”
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.
“The advocacy team taught me that part of being an attorney is being prepared and thinking on your feet,” she says. “I have learned the key to being a good attorney is to be prepared, to know the record inside and out.”
She says it’s important to know a client’s case thoroughly in order to convey the client’s story before a judge.
“You have to delve into their problems and how it has affected the client’s life,” she says. “You have to convey each client’s individual story so the judge can understand where they’re coming from.”
Blaire received her undergraduate degree in 2007 from Auburn University, where she studied agricultural economics and rural sociology.
It should come as no surprise that, in her spare time, she enjoys watching Auburn football. She also likes to travel, ski and spend time with her family and friends.
