Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Cutter.
Hi Scott, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am the son of an officer in the US Airforce. I grew up moving with my family all across the country, as well as some stops overseas. My folks retired in Rolla, Missouri in between my junior and senior years of high school. I graduated and went my first 2 years of college at what was then called Southwest Missouri University in hopes of playing football there. I discovered beer and pizza there and quickly abandoned those ideas. I transferred to Mizzou, where I earned a BA in Economics and a JD degree. My first job out of law school was working for an insurance defense firm. I hated it! I quit and went to work as a hearing officer for the state of Missouri, traveling to all of the counties in NW Missouri with a cassette tape recorder, holding hearings and writing decisions for people appealing decisions of claims for medicaid, food stamps, AFDC, etc. I got tired of making no money doing this gig and then went into private practice for a solo practitioner doing Social Security Disability law, which I have been doing for 32 years. (hard to believe). There are a lot more twists and turns to my story, but this is a broad brush overview.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not entirely smooth. Within a year of joining the solo practitioner, his health declined and I went into partnership with he and another asscociate with the firm before he passed away. Within 6 months of entering into this partnership, I was in an accident. My car exploded my driveway and I was life flighted to KU Medical Center with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 45% of mu body, where I stayed for 8 weeks and underwent 3 skin graft surgeries. It took me months to get back on my feet. Then in 2018, my remaining partner left the firm and left me with an expensive office space lease in the Penntower Building.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Social Security Disability and SSI claims. I have handled thousands of such claims since 1993. All of my competiters have either become judges or retired over that time. I am probably the most “seasoned” practitioner practicing this area of law in the Kansas City area now. I have seen and endured countless changes over the years. I have earned the respect of the ALJs over the years because I do not take cases without merit and I do not BS them.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was an introverted jock. Moving every 3 years, you do not form lasting, life-long relationships–this was hard. What it did do is make me adaptable. I grew up with white kids, black kids, native Americans, and people of HIspanic heritage. I lived in both rural and urban communities. I can assimilate into most any setting, which has been invaluable in my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecutterfirm.com
