About Our Kalamazoo MI Veteran Disability Lawyers

Casey Walker, Accredited VA Attorney

Casey served as an Infantryman Paratrooper in the Army and an Intelligence Analyst in the Air Force. While in the Army, he tried out for and was selected as a member of a Scout Reconnaissance Platoon with the 2/505 Parachute Infantry Regiment. During his time with the Scout Platoon, Casey served on a Quick Reaction Force in the Middle East following the attack on the USS Cole. As an Intelligence Analyst with the Air Force, Casey worked with the 107th Fighter Squadron out of Selfridge Air Base, MI, and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).Following his military service, Casey attended and graduated with honors from Cooley Law School. There he received several book awards, which are awarded to one student in each law class for superior academic performance.

While attending Cooley Law School, he helped charter and was President of Cooley Law School’s Veteran’s Organization. Casey also routinely volunteered as a speaker and assisted in consultations with Cooley Law School’s pro bono “Service to Soldiers” program – a legal referral and assistance program for veterans returning from combat.After obtaining his license to practice law in Michigan, Casey was employed as a claims adjudicator (rater) by the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. There he became intimately familiar with processes and laws governing VA benefits, giving Casey an “insider’s” understanding as to how the VA decides claims.

While employed by the VA, Casey realized the critical need for competent and effective veteran advocacy.After being admitted to the Michigan Bar Association in 2011, Casey became a VA accredited attorney and was admitted to practice law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Casey is intimately familiar with laws governing veterans’ benefits and has competently represented veterans on appeal since he began practicing law in 2011.Casey’s legal expertise, coupled with his experience as a former VA employee, uniquely qualifies him as an effective veteran disability attorney and advocate.

Derek Dee, Accredited VA Attorney

Derek completed his undergraduate degree at Kalamazoo College in 1997. He earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics and a minor in mathematics. Derek was awarded honors on his Senior Individualized Project regarding teaching in economics.After graduation, Derek taught mathematics at three different high schools: Fitzgerald High School in Warren, Covert High School, and Portage Northern High School.He also coached soccer at Fitzgerald and Covert High School. While he was teaching at Portage Northern, he went back to get his legal degree at nights from WMU Cooley Law School.

He graduated with honors in 2018 and earned the book award twice while enrolled.Derek lives in Portage with his wife and two kids. His wife, Nikki is a special education teacher. Derek enjoys coaching his sons in soccer and also playing when he gets a chance. Derek is a board member and coach for the Portage Soccer Club.The family enjoys the many beaches of Michigan and has taken up a family hobby of fishing when they get a chance.

Brett Burke, Accredited VA Attorney

Brett Burke is a West Michigan native and completed his Undergraduate Degree in Legal Studies at Grand Valley State University.Upon graduation, Brett attended law school at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School where he graduated with a J.D and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2016.After being admitted to practice law, Brett worked in many areas of the law including business law, estate planning, property law, and corporate litigation.

Looking for a new challenge, Brett joined VA Disability Group PLLC in early 2021 as an Associate Attorney in order to help our country’s veterans and experience a more rewarding career.In his free time, Brett enjoys camping, hiking, and kayaking with friends and vacationing with family. He also enjoys attending sporting events and concerts.

Spencer Jolicoeur, Accredited VA Attorney

Spencer Jolicoeur is an Associate Attorney with VA Disability Group. Spencer completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph (2016). He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a focus on business management and marketing courses. He also received a certificate of leadership for his academic and extracurricular work while attending the University.Spencer graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.) from Michigan State University College of Law (2020). He received the jurisprudence award in one of his classes and he passed the bar exam, scoring in the top decile of exam takers.

While enrolled at M.S.U. College of Law, Spencer completed a legal externship where he assisted a V.A. accredited attorney in researching and drafting appeals for Vietnam War Veterans. After Spencer learned of the individual hardships these Veterans had to endure and the sacrifices they made for their country, Spencer decided that helping them appeal their disability benefits would be the most rewarding way to use his legal education and experience.Spencer was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario but he now lives in Kalamazoo. He enjoys playing hockey, fishing, and golfing in his free time.

Melissa A. Divan, Accredited VA Attorney

Melissa A. Divan is an Associate Attorney with VA Disability Group PLLC. She was born in Illinois and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at Illinois State University. Melissa relocated to Southwest Michigan enrolling at Thomas M. Cooley School of Law where she received a Juris Doctor with a litigation concentration in 2008. Melissa began her legal career as attorney of counsel with a small firm in Kalamazoo and an on-call legal firm collaborating with practitioners across the lower peninsula. She ultimately established a solo practice with a primary focus in Domestic Relations. In 2015, seeking alternatives to the adversarial process and the traditional practice of law, Melissa returned to Western Michigan Cooley Law School where she received a Self Directed Master of Laws in Special Education and the Study and Resolution of Conflict.

Prior to joining the firm, Melissa obtained State Court Administrative Office certifications acting as a mediator in multiple areas of the law. She was also a Special Education mediator for the state of Michigan, a behavioral health independent facilitator, and an instructor in nonviolent crisis prevention and restorative practices.

Melissa has been an active member in the State Bar of Michigan including former section memberships in Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Children’s Law, Elder Law and Disability Rights, and Latin American Bar Activities. She was a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy Council and a presenter for the State Bar of Michigan ADR Section Annual Meeting Speaker Series: Building a Career in ADR and Mentoring New Practitioners-What Works Best.

Melissa is a VA accredited attorney licensed to practice in the State of Michigan and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. She is passionate about human connections and is committed to being a zealous advocate for her clients through all stages of their case.

Haley Smith, Accredited VA Attorney

Haley Smith joined VA Disability Group in January of 2025, where she focuses on appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and advocacy before VA.

Haley graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During her undergraduate education, she was a legislative assistant at a Veterans Service Organization where she worked with members of Congress to pass important pieces of Veterans legislation. After graduation, Haley attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. During her second year in law school, Haley received the highest grade in her Administrative Law class. In her third year, she worked at the Veterans Legal Clinic where she counseled and represented South Carolina Veterans and their families. Haley graduated from law school in 2020 and was licensed to practice law in North Carolina the same year. Since being licensed, Haley has represented hundreds of Veterans before the CAVC. She also successfully argued a case before the CAVC resulting in a precedential opinion. In addition to being licensed at the CAVC, she is also admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is an accredited attorney at VA. Haley lives in North Carolina with her husband and two dogs.

Alexandra Curran, Accredited VA Attorney

Alexandra Curran joined VA Disability Group in January 2025, where she focuses on appellate advocacy before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Alexandra graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in political science.  She was named University of Rhode Island Best and Brightest 2005 and received the Outstanding Senior Contributions to Psychology Award.  She graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2010.  During law school, she completed mediation training and received the CALI Award for legal writing.

Alexandra has personally experienced the dynamics of military life and deployment, as well as the overwhelming and frustrating nature of VA disability claims and appeals.  Days after her graduation from law school in May 2010, she received the call that her husband was injured in combat and was being medically evacuated from Afghanistan. She quickly found herself learning about military retirement and VA disability and knew then that she wanted to devote her law practice to representing veterans.

In early 2012, following a clerkship with the appellate and trial divisions of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court, Alexandra began representing veterans.  Since that time, she has represented hundreds of veterans at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and many hundreds more at the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

She is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, Military Spouse JD Network, and the National Organization of Veterans Advocates.  Alexandra has spoken on matters related to veterans’ disability and serves as a mentor attorney with The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program.  She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and three children.

Shauna Fischhaber, Claims Specialist

Shauna is uniquely situated to her position as a Claims Specialist through life experience. She began a career directly out of high school as a hairstylist with the view of using her skills to serve others. She always viewed her position as an opportunity to provide more than a service, but also as a chance to connect with people on a personal level. She loved to learn their stories and be a cheerleader on the sidelines of their lives.

Upon marrying her husband, she immersed herself in her new role as an Army Commander’s Wife. Shauna soon became deeply involved with the PWOC community at their first duty station and had the experience of connecting with military wives in all walks of life. She shared intimate relationships that allowed her to peer into the lives of service members and their families. As a military spouse, she understands the needs of veterans and the struggles they face, having experienced them personally. Shauna is able to bring context to the table because she understands the service member and their family.

Shauna has spent the last 15 years as Director of Operations in the position of Household 6. She joined the VA disability Group team because she cares deeply for the community they represent. She loves connecting with our clients and working toward a common goal together.

Shauna lives in Kalamazoo with her husband and three children. She enjoys completing home improvement projects, reading, biking, and crafting.

Jessica Goethal, Claims Specialist

Jessica attended a few years at Kalamazoo Valley before deciding to jump right into working closely with seniors who have dementia. She enjoyed being able to help them with day to day tasks and putting a smile on their faces. She loves hearing all the different stories from each senior’s life.

She has always cared deeply about Veterans, but once she met her husband and his Army family this grew. This helped her love of helping and connecting with Veterans grow, which led her to working with VA Disability Group, PLLC.

She loves living in Michigan with the changing season. She loves spending her time with her husband and son. She also enjoys doing crafts, playing games with her family and watching movies.

Kelsey Rowe, Claims Specialist

Kelsey spent her childhood growing up in the Southwest Michigan area. After high school she moved out west, living in Washington, and then in California.

When she returned home to Michigan, she worked in several areas of customer service.  This became her ideal job. She enjoys talking to every type of person, listening to their stories, and helping others with their problems, making her an ideal Claims Specialist with VA Disability Group, PLLC.

Kelsey lives in Kalamazoo with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and two guinea pigs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing video games, watching low budget movies, searching for rocks with her children, and going on nature walks with the whole family.

Sarah Dixon, Claims Specialist

Sarah grew up in Southwest Michigan and has loved it her entire life. She spends a lot of weekends with her family at Silver Lake Sand Dunes. She attended beauty school before she started working in retirement homes, working very closely with seniors with dementia. Once she started working in homes, she found her place being there for residents and helping take care of them.

She has always enjoyed helping and connecting with people in any way she can. She loves helping others with their problems. She has worked with a few Veterans while working in homes which made her want to work closer with Veterans and help them, leading her to work with VA Disability Group PLLC.

In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and son. They often go to the lake as often as the weather allows. She is always surrounded by family and friends enjoying all that life has to offer them.