Mary A. Gilson, Associate
Attorney Mary Gilson has focused on Social Security Disability law since November 2001. She has helped hundreds of clients obtain disability benefits. She has represented claimants at all levels of appeal. She is currently focusing on federal court appeals. She also handles appellate work in other areas of the law.
Attorney Gilson earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Michigan State University in 1980, and her law degree from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College cum laude in 1986. She was selected to be a member of the school's Cornelius Honor Society. During law school she was a teaching assistant for the legal writing program and a torts tutor for the academic support program.
After graduating, she returned to Alaska and worked for Faulkner Banfield Doogan and Holmes before leaving to work in the public sector. From 1987 – 1990 she represented the Municipality of Anchorage in a variety of civil litigation, and also drafted ordinances and regulations. From 1990 - 2001 she worked for the State of Alaska Office of the Attorney General. She represented the state in child support cases, contract and finance issues, and also drafted legislation and regulations. She joined Mendel & Associates in November 2001.
She is admitted to practice law in the state of Alaska including the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Since 1994, she has served on the Alaska Bar Association Law Examiners Committee, and currently chairs that committee. In May 2008, she received the Alaska Bar Association Board of Governors Distinguished Service Award. She is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).
When she is not practicing law, she enjoys ocean kayaking, hiking, and other wilderness adventures.
