Our Social Security Disability Attorneys

Jan Kodner (center)

Jan Kodner graduated with honors from Chicago Kent College of Law in 1978. He graduated cum laude from University of Illinois in 1975 with a degree in accounting. After studying the subject and finding it incredibly tedious, he vowed never to practice in that field and decided to try law school instead.

Jan has been ranked by other Illinois lawyers to be among the top 5% of all Illinois attorneys in the area of Social Security Disability law. Jan has maintained this honor each year since the Leading Lawyers Network was created in 2003. For more information about this peer ranking and review process, go to Leading Lawyers Network.

Jan is a past chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Subcommittee on Social Security Law. He is also a sustaining member of the National Association of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR). He served as a board member of the SSI Coalition for a Responsible Safety Net. Jan has presented many talks and continuing legal education sessions at NOSSCR and CBA conferences. He is a member of the AARP Legal Plan. Jan received a Distinguished Service Award from the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation in 1997. He is on the referral panels of the AARP Legal Plan, Chicago Bar Association, Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, NOSSCR and The Ark.

Jan also served as producer and director of his children's middle school variety show from 2001 through 2004. He has written such classics as The Age of Asparagus, Under a C, Hebrew School Dropout, and Yellow Luncheon Meat. He vows to never again set foot into a middle school auditorium.

Stephen Jackson (left)

Associate Attorney Stephen Jackson received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law with a Certificate in Labor and Employment Law. Steve received his B.A. summa cum laude in organizational management from Concordia University Chicago. Steve is also a member of the adjunct faculty for Concordia's Accelerated Degree Program for Adults.

Steve was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and before the United States District and Appellate Courts in Illinois. He joined Jan L. Kodner & Associates as an associate in 2006 after working as an Assistant State's Attorney for Cook County Illinois.

Steve's interest in the rights of disabled persons and worker's rights led him to specialize in the area of Social Security disability appeals. He has a thorough understanding of the multi-step process and the experience required to successfully pursue your claim for Social Security benefits. Steve advocates vigorously for those working men and women who can no longer work due to chronic illness, injury, or the ravages of disease.

James Leeny (right)

James Leeny graduated with honors from Eastern Michigan University, where he was a state and national champion public speaker. James received a Master's Degree in Business Communication from University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990. A graduate of the John Marshall School of Law, James was named Best Orator in the Herzog Moot Court competition and is a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. James has been with the firm since 1988 and became an associate attorney since his 1994 graduation from law school.