Debra S. Shifrin
Debra Shifrin was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio. She is a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School and was a member of the Girls Glee Club/Mens Chorus. After attending a large high school, Debra chose to attend a small university - American University in Washington D.C. Graduating a semester early with a degree in Political Science, she decided to use her accounting courses and work for an accounting firm. After passing part of the C.P.A. exam, she decided that accounting was not her dream job. So, in the fall of 1978, she began studying law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. In 1996, after 15 years of being competitors and friends, Debra and Dianne became partners. Scott joined the firm several years later as a law clerk, associate, and now partner.
After pursuing a general practice, Debra enjoys limiting her practice to representing disabled individuals before the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration.
In addition to being admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, Debra is admitted federally to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. Debra is also involved in many legal and charitable organizations, including elected membership to the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) Board of Directors, where she is currently Treasurer.
Debra enjoys speaking to groups educating them about the Social Security Administration, being a paperless office, and law firm management.
Debra has been married for 25 years to Steve, and they have 2 sons - a senior at Rice University in Houston and a freshman at Ohio University. When not at the office or in hearings, Debra loves to travel, read, sing, and cook. Ask her about her cookbook collection, she will share stories and recipes.
Areas of Practice
- Social Security Disability
- Veterans Disability
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- Case Western Reserve University Law School, Cleveland, Ohio
- J.D. - 1981
- American University, Washington, District of Columbia
- B.A. - 1977
- Major: Political Science
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, Akron Bar Association Foundation
- Ohio Legal Aid Association Fund's Pro Bono Award, 1999
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Association of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, 1982 - 1988
- National Organization of Veterans' Advocates
- Akron Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Ohio Association for Justice
- American Association for Justice
- Hadassah, Life Member
- Womens Board Jewish Community Board of Akron
- American Cancer Society, Summit County Board
- Summit County American Heart Association Go Red for Women Committee
