HALPERN LAW GROUP

Ari grew up in Washington state and earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 1995. He graduated from Seattle University’s School of Law in 2003. His focus since law school has been on lawyering with a positive impact. He originally moved to Bend in 2004 and began working for Legal Aid Services of Oregon, primarily representing domestic violence victims. In 2007, Ari and his wife Lisa departed for a year-long, round-the-world trip. Upon their return, Ari began practicing Social Security Disability law at his father’s firm in Washington State, before moving back to Bend in 2010 to open a practice here. Since 2008, Ari’s sole practice area has been Social Security Disability. He has represented many hundreds (if not thousands) of clients in their disability claims. Ari & Lisa have 2 wonderful daughters and his family loves to travel, exercise, and explore the great outdoors. Ari is also an active volunteer in the community, whether it's for Legal Aid Services of Oregon, local non-profits, social justice causes, or his kids' schools.

Jolene has been working as a legal secretary/assistant for the better part of 35 years.  She brought the experience and knowledge she has gained over those years with her when she joined the Halpern Law Group team in 2016.  She enjoys working in the Social Security disability arena because she feels she is helping people who really need help, and she feels it is a positive, worthwhile use of her skills and talents.  When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and many grandchildren, working in her garden, cooking, serving in her faith community, and occasionally helping women in labor as a birth doula. 

Riley grew up in Boise, Idaho and went to school at the University of Wyoming where she double majored in Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies. After graduation, Riley moved to Bend, Oregon to be closer to family and explore all the outdoor fun Oregon has to offer. She is passionate about helping others and is excited to tackle this new journey with Halpern Law Group. She hopes to gain experience working with clients and helping them through difficult situations for her future career in the legal field. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, going to live concerts, judging/coaching high school and college debate, and paddle boarding in the cascade lakes with her dog.