KCMBF’s Military Matters is proud to shine the January #ProBonoSpotlight on Geraldine Mims of Mims Law Office, LLC!
Geraldine first learned of Military Matters while serving at Kansas City’s Stand Down semi-annual event several years ago, an event that aims to provide marginal and homeless veterans with access to services. Geraldine began volunteering at the Stand Down events over 10 years ago as a way to give back to veterans in the community. Military Matters has at times also volunteered at the event which is where Geraldine learned of the program.
Through Geraldine’s work as a social security disability attorney she often assists veterans seeking disability benefits. Her husband served in the US Army for 12 years and her father served in World War II. Geraldine has been a wonderful volunteer for Military Matters, accepting referrals to speak with veterans about their social security disability concerns multiple times each year.
Geraldine actually began her career working as a Disability Determinations Counselor for the Social Security Administration. She was one of the individuals reviewing and determining if an individual qualified for Social Security disability benefits. Geraldine then pursued her law degree from UMKC School of Law. While there, she had originally considered employment law or another area. It was during a conversation with now-retired Judge Jon Gray that he recommended she consider being an attorney representing those who were seeking Social Security disability due to her background.
She connected with Joan H. Deans, who at the time practiced as a social security disability attorney in Kansas City. It turned out to be a fruitful connection. While Geraldine was studying for the bar exam she received a follow-up call from Joan that she planned to hire her! After graduating from law school, Geraldine began working at Joan H. Deans Law Office until 2009 when Joan became an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration. Geraldine then purchased the practice from Joan and has been practicing at Mims Law Office, LLC, ever since.
Outside of practicing law, Geraldine and her husband enjoy traveling and appreciating arts and history. Her husband of over 20 years provides tax and accounting services for the beauty industry and runs a beauty and barber distribution business. They actually just enjoyed attending the 2021 Nutcracker performance by the Kansas City Ballet in December, a tradition of theirs that was unfortunately missed last year due to COVID-19. She and her husband also stay involved with their church, and she enjoys traveling with her husband as her schedule permits.
Geraldine gives back outside of her practice and the Military Matters program through several leadership roles in the community. She is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR), composed mostly of disability attorneys, and has served on the Board of Directors for both the Lupus Foundation of Kansas City and the Holland Group Home here in Kansas City.
Thank you, Geraldine, for your dedication to KCMBF’s #MilitaryMatters and for giving back!
Please visit the KCMBF Facebook Page to see the original post about Geraldine's service to Military Matters.