Jon H. Ressler

Attorney

Jon H. Ressler has worked to help disabled people qualify for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits since 1997, starting at the Wooster-Wayne Legal Aid Society. He joined Roose & Ressler in 2000 and became a principal in 2003. He opened the Wooster (2003) and Mansfield (2010) offices to better serve disabled people in those areas.

He has lectured on Social Security disability law at conferences of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and other Continuing Legal Education seminars for lawyers. He is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the bar associations of Wayne, Richland, and Lorain Counties. Mr. Ressler earned his B.A. degree at the University of Akron and his J.D. degree at Case Western Reserve University.

He grew up in rural Wayne County and worked on family-owned dairy farms as a teen. He and his brother later operated their own dairy farm for a number of years before he traded farm life for helping others with their legal problems.

He and his wife Judy enjoy spending time with their now-adult girls and like helping people in the community through their church. Jon reads, likes a good movie, and follows local sports teams.

Melissa L. Kunder

Attorney

Melissa L. Kunder received her B.A. degree magna cum laude from the College of Wooster, her M.A. from the University of Akron, and her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University, including a health law concentration with honors.  

She was introduced to Social Security disability law as a summer associate with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and with Community Legal Aid Services in Youngstown. She represented disability claimants as a legal intern with CWRU’s Health Law Clinic. Through the mentorship of her law clinic professor, she met Kirk Roose and joined the Roose & Ressler team in 2010. 

Melissa listens to her clients’ stories and uses her expertise to guide them through the application and appeals process. She is conversational in Spanish and welcomes Spanish-speaking individuals to connect with her by phone, email, or at the office. She is grateful to be a part of fighting for benefits for her clients.

Melissa is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives and the Lorain County Bar Association.

Melissa is a native of northeast Ohio. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, baking, and attending concerts and plays.

Mary Meadows

of Counsel

Kirk B. Roose (1946 – 2018)

Founder

Kirk B. Roose, founder of Roose & Ressler, passed away April 27, 2018.

Mr. Roose started the law practice, now known as Roose & Ressler, over 35 years ago. The firm has always focused on Social Security disability and has helped thousands of disabled Ohioans obtain their disability benefits. He was a tireless advocate for his clients. He had a nationally recognized reputation for skilled federal court appellate practice.

Earlier in his career, he represented Citizens’ Action in numerous public interest cases, worked for Ralph Nader’s Center for Study of Responsive Law, as a lawyer for the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, and an attorney for the Fair Share Housing Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Mr. Roose was ever happy to share from his legal skill and knowledge. He was a frequent and popular teacher of other attorneys at seminars on all matters related to Social Security disability practice.

We at Roose & Ressler will deeply miss his dedication and legal expertise. As co-workers and friends we will miss his kindness, compassion, witty humor, and the sounds of barbershop harmony playing in his office.