Making a Difference One Case at a Time with Social Worker Turned SSDI Advocate Billie Guthrie

As a social worker, Billie Guthrie was drawn into all the factors at play in her clients’ struggles. As a Social Security Disability attorney for The Deuterman Law Group, she is laser-focused on getting clients the benefits they deserve. Tune in to this conversation with host Amber Nimocks as Billie reflects on her unique journey to making “tangible differences” in clients’ lives. And attend the NCAJ’s upcoming day-long CLE, "Social Security Disability Updates and Practical Pointers for 2025 and Beyond," to learn more about her strategies and insights. Held at NCAJ’s Raleigh headquarters, the September 18 event will kick-off the fall season of in-person, member-led CLE programming.

Billie’s topic for the CLE is strengthening cases involving mental health impairments and substance abuse, but email her if you’re attending and have a question.

🎙️ Featured Guest 🎙️

Name: Billie Guthrie

Connect: LinkedIn

💡 Episode Highlights 💡

[03:00] Clear Path in Mind: Billie intentionally attended Appalachian State to earn a Bachelor's of Social Work because it fast-tracked her to earn an MSW.

[06:22] Social Justice: Billie didn’t know much about what a social worker actually does – but she knew the vocation aligned with her values.

[08:48] Club Nova Experience: Billie details her meaningful work at a psychiatric rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

[12:07] Critical Choice: As she entered her MSW program, Billie faced a choice: Did she want to do therapy or policy-based work? She chose the latter.

[14:14] Policy Advocacy: One of Billie’s first policy roles was with a project called Reclaiming Futures, which focused on fixing the preschool-to-prision pipeline.

[15:40] Law School: Billie explains how her desire to learn more and be more effective drove her to attend Central's evening program while working full time.

[18:30] The Motivation: Billie’s transition to law was inspired by seeing how systems confined efforts to help people. “I saw: This person's success in the community is only going to go so far if our systems are set up in the way that they're set up.”

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