Specializing in Social Security Disability Law
Burch & Rodgers was formed in 2000 by Laurie Burch and Kevin Rodgers after working together at a larger firm for nearly a decade. In 2006 when the Board of Legal Specialization launched the new certification in Social Security Disability law, they quickly signed up for the exam. Burch & Rodgers is one of only a few firms in the North Carolina in which all of the lawyers are board-certified specialists.
By focusing only on Social Security Disability, they have become experts specializing in the field. Based in the Triangle, they know the system, judges, local doctors, and other professionals who contribute to the verdict of whether or not you will receive disability benefits.
To learn more about Laurie, Kevin, and the team at Burch & Rodgers, read their bios below.
Laurie Burch
Board Certified Disability Attorney
A lifelong resident of North Carolina, disability attorney Laurie Burch received her B.A. from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from Campbell University. In practicing more than 30 years of Social Security Disability law, she has handled thousands of cases for the residents of North Carolina.
Laurie is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the North Carolina State Bar. She is also North Carolina State Bar board certified as a specialist in Social Security Disability.
She currently handles cases throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Kevin Rodgers
Board Certified Disability Attorney
Kevin has represented several thousand disability claimants over the past 30+ years. Prior to entering private practice, he worked as a staff attorney for the Social Security Administration for five years.
Kevin graduated with a B.S. in Government from Campbell University in 1983, and a J.D. from the Wake Forest School of Law in 1987. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
Kevin is a Board Certified Social Security Law Specialist. He has also served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Committee for Social Security Disability. He is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives (NOSSCR), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association.
Melanie Wahlbrink
Paralegal to Mrs. Burch
Melanie joined Burch and Rodgers in 1997 as a paralegal to Laurie Burch. Prior to that she was a disability examiner for 5 years at Disability Determination Services. Melanie assists Mrs. Burch by maintaining contact with clients, treating sources and Social Security Offices. She also requests, reviews and evaluates records for the development of cases throughout the entire process of a claim. Melanie grew up in Raleigh and received her Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University. She is a huge Wolfpack fan who enjoys spending time with her family, watching sports and being outdoors.
Anna Barkley
Paralegal to Mr. Rodgers
Anna joined the firm in 1996 as a paralegal and has more than 30 years of experience in Social Security disability. She was born and raised in Oxford, North Carolina. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1988, she subsequently worked for 8 years as a disability claims examiner at Disability Determination Services. While working at Burch & Rodgers, Anna achieved a paralegal certification from the North Carolina State Bar in 2005. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her Golden Retriever. In addition to enjoying a full career, Anna has endeavored serving the community with the Junior League of Raleigh and with her daughter in the National Charity League.
Kathi Regan
Paralegal
Kathi joined Burch and Rodgers when she relocated to North Carolina in 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland-College Park and has worked in law firms specializing in Social Security Disability for 30+ years. In her spare time, she enjoys books, music, sports, traveling and spending time with her family.
Sandy White
Bookkeeper and Secretary
Sandy joined Burch & Rodgers in 2008. Sandy answers the phones, files appeals and does bookkeeping. She has done bookkeeping for 30+ years. She is always willing to help out in any way she can. She was raised in Wake Forest, NC. When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her son and family, her dog Foose, dancing, karaoke and going to antique car shows.
Laurie Burch
Board Certified Disability Attorney
A lifelong resident of North Carolina, disability attorney Laurie Burch received her B.A. from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from Campbell University. In her almost 30 years of practicing Social Security Disability law, she has handled thousands of cases for the residents of North Carolina.
Laurie is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the North Carolina State Bar. She is also North Carolina State Bar board certified as a specialist in Social Security Disability.
She currently handles cases throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Kevin Rodgers
Board Certified Disability Attorney
Kevin has represented several thousand disability claimants over the past 25 years. Prior to entering private practice, he worked as a staff attorney for the Social Security Administration for five years.
Kevin graduated with a B.S. in Government from Campbell University in 1983, and a J.D. from the Wake Forest School of Law in 1987. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
Kevin is a Board Certified Social Security Law Specialist. He has also served on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Committee for Social Security Disability. He is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives (NOSSCR), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association.
Melanie Wahlbrink
Paralegal to Mrs. Burch
Melanie joined Burch and Rodgers in 1997 as a paralegal to Laurie Burch. Prior to that she was a disability examiner for 5 years at Disability Determination Services. Melanie assists Mrs. Burch by maintaining contact with clients, treating sources and Social Security Offices. She also requests, reviews and evaluates records for the development of cases throughout the entire process of a claim. Melanie grew up in Raleigh and received her Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University. She is a huge Wolfpack fan who enjoys spending time with her family, watching sports and being outdoors.
Anna Barkley
Paralegal to Mr. Rodgers
Anna joined the firm in 1996 as a paralegal and has 30 years experience in Social Security disability. She was born and raised in Oxford, North Carolina. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1988, she subsequently worked for 8 years as a disability claims examiner at Disability Determination Services. While working at Burch & Rodgers, Anna achieved a paralegal certification from the North Carolina State Bar in 2005. She resides in Raleigh spending time with her two daughters and her Golden Retriever. In addition to enjoying a full career, Anna has endeavored serving the community with the Junior League of Raleigh and with her daughter in the National Charity League.
Kathi Regan
Paralegal
Kathi joined Burch and Rodgers when she relocated to North Carolin in 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland-College Park and has worked in law firms specializing in Social Security Disability for over 25 years. In her spare time, she enjoys books, music, sports, traveling and spending time with her family.
Sandy White
Bookkeeper and Secretary
Sandy joined Burch & Rodgers in 2008. Sandy answers the phones, files appeals and does bookkeeping. She has done bookkeeping for 30 years. She is always willing to help out in any way she can. She was raised in Wake Forest, NC. When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her son and family, her dog Foose, dancing, karaoke and going to antique car shows.