Social Security Disability
Disability Law
We can help you protect your rights
Meet Our Team
Dale L. Buchanan, Founder, Owner
Dale L. Buchanan is the Founder and President of Dale L. Buchanan and Associates. He graduated with his B.A. in 1963 from Washington State University and went on to graduate in 1975 from Mercer University School of Law. He was subsequently admitted to the Georgia Bar.
He worked as a staff attorney for the Social Security Administration, at first in the Los Angeles area and then in Chattanooga, from 1975 until 1983. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1982. In 1983, Mr. Buchanan went into private practice as a sole practitioner, primarily representing disabled claimants before the Social Security Administration. Mr. Buchanan has represented thousands of claimants at administrative hearings and thousands before the Social Security Administration's Appeal Council. He also represents plaintiffs in the United States District Courts in the Northern District of Georgia and in the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee, as well as before the Sixth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Mr. Buchanan is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claiments' Representatives (NOSSCR), the Trial Lawyers of America, and both the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association, with over 31 years of experience in Social Security law. In 1994, he received the Southeast Legal Services pro bono publico award.
Mr. Buchanan is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve Unit in Chattanooga. Mr. Buchanan continues to represent veterans in veterans' appeals cases in addition to the disability cases he handles.
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Michael R. Buchanan, Co-Owner, President
Michael R. Buchanan is the Co-Owner and President of Dale L. Buchanan and Associates. He graduated from the University of Memphis, Cecil Humphreys School of Law, where he was an active member of the Student Bar Association. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Chattanooga Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association, the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives.
Mr. Buchanan currently travels to all of the offices for hearings, intakes and other duties. He is based in the Chattanooga office.
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Amanda Buchanan
Growing up in Florence, Alabama, Amanda Buchanan attended the University of North Alabama as an undergraduate student while being active in multiple leadership roles. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Political Science and Business Management.
Her education and experience have benefited Dale Buchanan and Associates. Mrs. Buchanan oversees all administration and operational aspects of the firm. She sets herself apart through being involved in civic, cultural, philanthropic, human service, environmental and professional commitments to the community. She was recently honored as a Woman of Distinction and serves on several boards including: The Children Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, WTCI, the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and is part of the Medical Society of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
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Staff Attorneys
• Scott Baker, Attorney at Law
Scott Baker is an attorney in our Chattanooga office. He graduated from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law as Magna Cum Laude. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Chattanooga Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association.
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• Dennis Pash, Attorney at Law
Dennis Pash is an attorney in our Nashville office. He graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law as cum laude. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.
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• Stephen Mealor, Attorney at Law
Stephen Mealor is an attorney in our Knoxville office. He graduated from the Washington and Lee University School of Law where he was a Burks Scholar, editor-in-chief of the Environmental Law Digest, and a member of the school's national moot court team. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Virginia Bar Association, and the Knoxville Bar Association.
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• James Marr, Attorney at Law
James is a native of Ringgold, Georgia, where he worked for several years in the textile mills before joining the Air Force, and later worked for Vulcan Materials Company as an environmental specialist. He holds degrees from Chattanooga State, the University of Tennessee, and the Community College of the Air Force, and his law degree is from the University of Georgia. James’ blue-collar background and varied life and work experiences enable him to connect with clients in a manner rarely found in the legal field, and he looks forward to being a worthy legal advocate for people in need.
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• Sara G. Khaki, Attorney at Law
Sara Khaki is an attorney in our Chattanooga office. Sara was born in Tehran, Iran. Her family migrated to Sweden in 1986, where she grew up in a small town named Vetlanda. Sara and her family moved to the United States when she was a teenager. Here in the States, Sara received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2005.
Sara obtained her law degree from The University of Georgia School of Law in 2008.
Sara’s diverse multi-cultural background and foreign language skills help her connect and relate to clients from all backgrounds and walks of life. Sara is currently licensed to practice in Georgia and is admitted to the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Georgia; she is also a member of the Georgia Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Iranian-American Bar Association.
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Company Officers
• Charity Rhodes
Charity Rhodes is the Customer Service Manager in our Chattanooga office. She graduated from the University of North Alabama where she studied Business Management/Nursing and graduated in December 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2007 she became a certified Legal Nurse Consultant and spends time consulting with the attorneys about health issues that clients face. She continues to grow with the company and is now responsible for the Florence , Chattanooga , Alabama , and Manchester offices.
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• Hodgen Mainda
Hodgen Mainda is the Director of Legal Operations. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University on a rugby scholarship from Nairobi Kenya (where he was born and raised) with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. He works out of our Chattanooga Office and oversees the law firms Legal Operations. He is also responsible for the Knoxville and Jackson offices. He is a member of SETPAC (Southeast Tennessee Political Action Committee), and Leadership Chattanooga.
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• Katherine Jennings
Katherine Jennings is the Office Manager and Senior Paralegal for the Nashville location of Dale Buchanan & Associates. After graduating Cleveland State Community College with her Associates Degree in Paralegal studies in 1991, she began working for the Chattanooga branch of DBA until moving to Nashville in 1995. In August 1998, she re-joined the firm to open the Nashville office. In addition to her Paralegal and office management duties, she also manages Federal Court appeals for the firm.
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