Our Interview With Joseph E. Houle, Managing Partner at Levine Benjamin, PC

Joe Houle serves as a Managing Partner at Levine Benjamin Law Firm, where he's often the initial contact for clients seeking assistance with Social Security Disability Insurance claims. Together with Managing Partner Gary Bimberg, Joe heads the firm's Social Security Disability team, which they've developed into Michigan's largest disability law practice. They've secured more benefits for Michigan residents than any other state-based firm, according to official Social Security data.

What motivated you to pursue a career in law?

The desire to provide a better life for myself and my family. My mother raised my four siblings and me after my father passed away when I was three years old. I wanted my (future) children to have it a little easier than I did growing up.

A lot of students struggle with the law school personal statement. What did your brainstorming, writing, and editing process look like, and what do you think made yours stand out from the crowd?

I applied to law schools 35 years ago. I honestly have no recollection of writing personal statements.

What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the LSAT?

The realization that I should have prepared more than taking a couple of practice tests the month before the test.

How much work experience did you gain before applying to law school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most during the application process?

I worked in a furniture store prior to law school, during the summer, throughout high school, and in college. This provided no advantage in the law school admission process.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the law school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

I was only accepted to one law school that I applied to, but that was all I needed. A higher undergraduate GPA and LSAT score would have given me more options, but it’s not like I didn’t know that already.

If you received acceptance to multiple law schools, how did you decide between them?

I was accepted to one law school, so the choice was easy.

What led you to specialize in Social Security Disability Law? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty? What activities/events/opportunities would you recommend for students wanting to pursue a Social Security Disability Law Career?

I wanted a career helping an underserved and vulnerable population. More important than activities/events/opportunities is the desire to help people going through a medical and, many times, simultaneous financial crisis.

How do you think AI is affecting law school admissions?

I am aware AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. I literally have nothing else to offer on this topic.

What are some emerging fields of law that you would recommend potential students to start thinking about if they want to future-proof themselves in the industry?

As long as there is business, lawyers will be needed in some capacity. It is difficult to predict what specific areas of law will be viable in the next 5, 10, or 20 years, as we are at the mercy of our lawmakers. Most specialized practices (including my own) can be wiped out in seconds with a change in law or regulation. It’s best to be well-rounded as a law license gives you the ability to adapt if needed in the event the political climate impacts your practice.

What are the biggest sacrifices you’ve had to make to pursue a career in law?

Time. There are more enjoyable ways to spend your time in your early twenties than attending law school for three years, however, the payoff was well worth it.

Bonus question: How much would we have to pay you to take the LSAT again?

The LSAT was kind of fun in that I enjoy logic puzzles and mental gymnastics. However, you could not pay me to take the Bar Exam again.

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