Jon H. Ressler

Attorney Jon H. Ressler has worked to help disabled people qualify for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits since 1997, starting at the Wooster-Wayne Legal Aid Society. He joined Roose & Ressler in 2000 and became a principal in 2003. He opened the Wooster (2003) and Mansfield (2010) offices to better serve disabled people in those areas. He has lectured on Social Security disability law at conferences of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and other Continuing Legal Education seminars for lawyers. He is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the bar associations of Wayne, Richland, and Lorain Counties. Mr. Ressler earned his B.A. degree at the University of Akron and his J.D. degree at Case Western Reserve University. He grew up in rural Wayne County and worked on family-owned dairy farms as a teen. He and his brother later operated their own dairy farm for a number of years before he traded farm life for helping others with their legal problems. He and his wife Judy enjoy spending time with their now-adult girls and like helping people in the community through their church. Jon reads, likes a good movie, and follows local sports teams.

Melissa L. Kunder

Attorney

Melissa L. Kunder received her B.A. degree magna cum laude from the College of Wooster, her M.A. from the University of Akron, and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University, including a health law concentration with honors.  

She was introduced to Social Security disability law as a summer associate with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and with Community Legal Aid Services in Youngstown. She represented disability claimants as a legal intern with CWRU’s Health Law Clinic. Through the mentorship of her law clinic professor, she met Kirk Roose and joined the Roose & Ressler team in 2010. 

Melissa listens to her clients’ stories and uses her expertise to guide them through the application and appeals process. She is conversational in Spanish and welcomes Spanish-speaking individuals to connect with her by phone, email, or at the office. She is grateful to be a part of fighting for benefits for her clients.

Melissa is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives and the Lorain County Bar Association.

Melissa is a native of northeast Ohio. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, baking, and attending concerts and plays.

Alia E. Green

Attorney

Alia E. Green received her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University, her M.P.A. from Cleveland State University, and her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Prior to joining Roose & Ressler, Alia practiced special education law and family law throughout Cuyahoga, Medina, and Summit Counties. She also served her local courts for two years as a Guardian ad Litem to advocate for children.

Alia has always had a desire to serve those in her community. She chose to pursue a career in law because of her dedication to justice, fairness and helping those in need – especially adults and children with disabilities. 

As someone born with a physical disability herself, Alia has personal experience and a strong passion for the area of social security disability law.

Alia is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, the Lorain County Bar Association, and the Medina County Bar Association.

She grew up in Northeast Ohio and currently lives in Brunswick with her fiancé Rob and their three cats. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, attending festivals, and watching movies.

Mary Meadows

of Councel

Mary T. Meadows graduated from Oberlin College with a psychobiology major. Mr. Kirk Roose asked if she would consider a career in law and be willing to join “the side of the angels” by helping him review the complicated medical and legal issues involved in Social Security disability cases. She joined the firm in 1985 as his law clerk and later attended evening classes at the Cleveland Marshall College of Law while working full-time for the firm.

In 1993, she opened the Toledo office of the firm. Her journey since that time has included seminary, ministry, and adoption of a child, and she continued to write appellate briefs for Roose & Ressler and other attorneys. In 2012, she returned to Roose & Ressler as the managing attorney of the Toledo office where she represents claimants at all administrative and appellate levels. She lectures at bar associations and to other groups on appellate issues.

Outside of the office, she continues to raise her daughter who is currently obsessed with horses. She enjoys knitting wool socks and singing in choir.

 

Kirk B. Roose (1946 – 2018)

Founder Kirk B. Roose, founder of Roose & Ressler, passed away April 27, 2018. Mr. Roose started the law practice, now known as Roose & Ressler, over 35 years ago. The firm has always focused on Social Security disability and has helped thousands of disabled Ohioans obtain their disability benefits. He was a tireless advocate for his clients. He had a nationally recognized reputation for skilled federal court appellate practice. Earlier in his career, he represented Citizens’ Action in numerous public interest cases, worked for Ralph Nader’s Center for Study of Responsive Law, as a lawyer for the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, and an attorney for the Fair Share Housing Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Mr. Roose was ever happy to share from his legal skill and knowledge. He was a frequent and popular teacher of other attorneys at seminars on all matters related to Social Security disability practice. We at Roose & Ressler will deeply miss his dedication and legal expertise. As co-workers and friends we will miss his kindness, compassion, witty humor, and the sounds of barbershop harmony playing in his office.