The Shadow
Specializing in veterans’ disability claims and appeals as an attorney, Kristen M. McConnell, a Va.-accredited attorney, opened her attorney’s office in Clifton Forge on Jan. 1.
McConnell recalled, “I went into the army at 17 after graduating from high school in Maryland, and I served in Desert Storm.”
She added, “I spent a few more years in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas.”
By the time she left the military, she had reached the rank of an E-4 Specialist.
She and Ron McConnell, a U.S. Army veteran that Kristen met at Fort Hood in 1991, reconnected via “Facebook” more than two decades later.
Kristen noted, “I met Ron in 1991, but we did not get married till 2018.”
Ron gained experience as a medic in the U.S. Army where he spent 21 years, and he works with Kristen who attended paralegal school at Midland Tech College in Columbia, S.C. in 1993.
“I went to law school at Stetson University in Fla. in 2020, and I passed the Va. Bar Exam in 2021,” Kristen revealed.
Since graduating from law school and passing the bar, Kristen has helped many veterans file their claims or appeal them.
She said, “We’ve worked with over 90 veterans since I started my practice in Oct. of 2021.”
As for selecting the Alleghany Highlands for a place to open her office, Kristen offered, “My grandmother, Dorothy Drechsler, lives in Oriskney and her sister, Pearl Conner, lives in Iron Gate.”
She explained that having visited the area over the years that she decided to establish her business close to her grandmother.
Kristen does not charge veterans a fee for filing or appealing their claims, and she only receives payment if the claims are won.
Kristen observed, “The most difficult part of my practice is waiting for the VA to make decisions.”
Ironically, the impact of COVID-19 was not negative in terms of her business. She recalled, “COVID-19 has really not negatively impacted my business; in fact, it probably improved my business as clients are more inclined to do business remotely.”
She relies on Ron, who retired after 21 years in the military where he rose to the rank of Captain, to help with disability claims evaluations. Ron’s experience as a medic enables him to be proficient in the role he plays.
Kristen concluded, “One of my sayings is that veterans don’t know what veteran’s don’t know about veterans’ disability.”
K. McConnell Legal is located at 316 Commercial Ave. adjacent to the U.S. Post Office in Clifton Forge.
