About Walter (Ted)
Walter (Ted) Walkenhorst has worked in law since earning his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1970. He entered the profession at a time of change in federal benefits law. Those early years shaped a steady practice that has lasted into the 21st century.
After law school he built a practice centered on disability benefits and administrative advocacy. He maintains admission in Pennsylvania and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. That mix of state and federal credentialing has allowed him to handle matters at administrative hearings and, when necessary, in the federal courts that review those decisions.
Walkenhorst’s career path led him to leadership at the Disability Benefits Law Center, where he serves as managing partner. In that role he oversees case strategy, client intake and appeals work. He also mentors younger attorneys and helps shape the firm’s approach to administrative practice. The firm’s name reflects the kind of work he has handled for decades: claims for disability benefits and related administrative matters.
His day-to-day work involves representing clients through the various stages of disability claims. That includes preparing claim filings, presenting evidence at hearings, and pursuing appeals when claimants seek review in federal court. He has experience with the procedural steps that govern disability adjudications and the strategic choices that arise when a claim is denied.
Colleagues describe him as methodical and direct in court papers and hearings. He favors clarity in pleadings and practical explanations for clients who are often dealing with complex medical and vocational issues. He has worked in cases that require coordination with medical providers, vocational experts, and administrative law judges.
Outside of hearings and briefs, Walkenhorst has focused on maintaining steady practice systems at his firm. That includes case management, training, and overseeing appeal timelines. He has navigated changes in administrative procedures and shifts in federal review standards over the years.
As of 2026, Walter (Ted) Walkenhorst continues to lead the Disability Benefits Law Center and to represent claimants in disability benefits matters, handling administrative hearings and appeals in Pennsylvania and before the Third Circuit.
