CUDDIGAN LAW - Key Persons
Helping people who are in difficult times just comes naturally to Kendra Allison.
As an Intake Specialist, Kendra is an early point of contact for Cuddigan Law clients. She assists the attorneys in collecting important preliminary information about clients' disability cases. Kendra supports the attorneys by talking to prospective clients to let them know what the firm does, how Social Security disability works, and to collect key information which the attorneys will use to establish the disability cases. Then Kendra schedules an initial appointment with one of the firm's Social Security disability attorneys and mails out any necessary paperwork to prepare each client for that meeting. She also provides assistance information for those who may need medical care and is a valuable resource to answer any questions that clients may have.
"I honestly enjoy talking to people and helping whenever I can", Kendra says. "I appreciate working at Cuddigan Law, because I get to help people every day. I want them to know they made the right choice by calling us."
When not at work, Kendra loves to spend time with her husband (who she describes as "amazing"), her friends, and her family. She is especially devoted her young foster son who has become the heart of her family. "While he keeps all of us busy, even my 17 year-old adores him," she says. She earned her real estate license in 2017 which has taken up a lot of her free time, but Kendra still manages to squeeze in support for a local women's halfway house.
Her husband, Brian, has completed a five-year training program and is now a journeyman sheet metal worker and serves as a trustee on the union board. Kendra and Brian enjoy sporting events ("Go Nebraska!"), browsing at farmers markets, and generally taking part in outdoor festivities when Nebraska's weather cooperates.
"My favorite destination is Raleigh, North Carolina to see my brother which I shoot for at least once a year," Kendra explains.
Growing up in the small Nebraska town of Franklin (2010 population: 1,000) Kim Schram developed lifelong values of hard work, loyalty, and compassion. These values have served her well in her 25 years as a lawyer with 15 of those years practicing Social Security disability law in Norfolk, Nebraska fighting for the rights of the disabled. At Cuddigan Law we are pleased that we are able to welcome an attorney of the caliber of Ms. Schram into our firm. "Kim is an outstanding attorney who cares deeply about helping the disabled," says Attorney and Principal Tim Cuddigan. "She has an exceptional depth of experience in helping Social Security disability clients win the benefits they have rightfully earned."
A Midwesterner through and through, Kim earned her undergraduate degree at Doane University and her law degree from Creighton University. "I wanted to be a lawyer because I wanted to help people," she explains. "I enjoy practicing in the area of disability because I feel like I am doing just that. The clients that I see are people that have worked hard most of their lives and because of an illness or accident they become unable to earn for themselves and their family. I see people that are suffering with health, employment, and financial issues. The process takes a long time to navigate so the stress on individuals and families is extreme. Stress not only for the individual client, but extended family and friends that are helping that individual client survive."
Family is a word that resonates deeply with Kim. She is married to Brian Schram and has four kids with three in college next year-at Doane University, University of South Dakota, and University of Nebraska Omaha. The youngest will be a freshman at Bellevue West. Her work with not-for-profit groups also reflects her passionate support for families. She is a volunteer for the Salvation Army, contributes to Faith Regional Foundation, and has served on the Good Neighbor board in Norfolk, Nebraska.
When asked to share her guiding principle, Ms. Schram likes to quote the poet Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." We know that Kim will make our clients feel that they have a friend and a powerful ally in their corner. "What I enjoy most is working with clients through the disability process, helping them get benefits that most of them have worked for and paid for throughout their lifetime and then seeing the results of a favorable decision," she says. "It is very satisfying to help them get to a place where they can provide for themselves and their families."
Cuddigan Law VA Case Manager Robert Adams knows what it is to serve. He served in the U.S. Army for six years as an ammunition specialist. Now he serves disabled Veterans, helping them get the benefits they have rightfully earned serving their country.
Robert's work starts when he takes a call from a prospective client. He makes careful notes about their individual situation, and helps them understand the process of filing a VA disability claim. Because the disability process can be complicated and frustrating, Robert is there to assist each Veteran in filing their appeals. Throughout the progression of their case, he keeps the client up-to-date on the status of their claim and he ensures all relevant information is properly documented and that all deadlines are met.
"I enjoy helping Veterans as I believe they are under appreciated sometimes," he says. "I know because I am a Veteran myself."
When he is not working most of Robert's free time is spent hanging out with his family. He is the father of seven children. But he does manage to squeeze in some time to watch sports. "I like sports, almost any sports" he remarks, "but I am especially into Husker sports."
"I take great satisfaction in knowing that I play an important part in helping our clients feel confident about their decision to apply for disability." That's Sara Spindler, Case Manager at Cuddigan Law. Everyone at Cuddigan Law will tell you that applying for Social Security disability is a complex and often confusing process. "My main responsibility is to help navigate the disability process and I am right there with our clients to help them complete their applications for the benefits they have rightfully earned. I also handle filing any appeals and opening up new clients' cases."
"I believe that in life that you should build a bigger table, not a higher fence," Sara explains when asked about her personal philosophy. "A life well-lived in not measured by how many things you have or how far you travel. What matters in the end is how many times you went back to help others who weren't as far along as you." Sara lives up to her philosophy by helping those in need at the law firm and also by volunteering with the Salvation Amy for many years.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Founding Partner
- Founder - Retired )
Founding partner Timothy J. Cuddigan began practicing law in 1975 and then in 1994 he formed Cuddigan Law to focus exclusively on Social Security and VA disability. He saw a need to help those with disabilities qualify for the benefits they rightfully earned. He built Cuddigan Law into a successful family run law firm employing the very best attorneys and staff.
After helping thousands of people win disability benefits, Tim retired in 2024. His retirement capped a distinguished legal career where he became recognized locally and nationally for his knowledge of Social Security law and earned the respect of his colleagues in the legal profession. He also served as president of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives, an organization for disability attorneys and advocates.
During his career Tim estimates that he has helped more than 10,000 people with their disability cases. "I'm proud of all the people that I've been able to help and make a difference in their life. Nobody gets rich on Social Security benefits, but it gives them a piece of dignity."
Reflecting on what led him to practice disability law Tim recalled that "I joined a practice led by Bruce Brodkey and about the second week I was there a Social Security case for an existing client came in. I went to the hearing and I thought to myself, I can help this guy. He had a terrible medical condition, but I was able to tell his story to the judge and ask him questions so he also could also tell his story to the judge. We won his case and I was able to get him benefits, which I know made a difference in his life."
Attorney Tim Cuddigan has practiced law since 1975. He has devoted his career to representing injured people. He has practiced disability law exclusively since 1994. Over his career, he has helped thousands of people obtain the benefits they earned. Sean Cuddigan joined the firm in 2008. Cuddigan Law helps individuals with Social Security Disability claims throughout Nebraska and western Iowa obtain the benefits to which they are entitled. Tim and Sean Cuddigan are privileged to represent Veterans nationwide.