MacKenzi Payne-Crowe, Attorney

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation Number: 52644
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2009
Kentucky Wesleyan College, B.S. Criminal Justice, 2006

MacKenzi feels working as a veterans disability benefits attorney at Woods and Woods is bringing her back to her roots.

She was always interested in a future practicing military law. Her dream in college and heading into law school was to become a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the military. 

MacKenzi’s desire to become a JAG stemmed from her interest in the law and helping others, as well as growing up in a military family. Her father and brother were both Marines, and her uncles and stepfather are Army veterans. Watching Lieutenant Colonel Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie, USMC in the 90s TV show JAG didn’t hurt, either.

While studying at Kentucky Wesleyan, MacKenzi played basketball for the school, where she unfortunately sustained a knee injury that disqualified her from becoming a JAG.

While completing her law degree at Thomas M. Cooley, she worked in the JAG offices for the Michigan Army and Air Force National Guard. 

After law school, MacKenzi started her career as a deputy prosecutor in Perry County, Indiana. She also worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), then as an insurance attorney and an Administrative Law Judge. She served as a deputy prosecutor for the last five years in Knox County, Indiana. Her well-rounded experience has taught her about many different types and facets of the law.

When MacKenzi learned Woods and Woods was growing and looking to hire another attorney, she immediately knew it was her dream job. 

“I actually didn’t know there were firms out there hiring for veterans disability benefits attorneys,” she said. “I was so excited when I learned about the opportunity.”

MacKenzi’s number one goal working at Woods and Woods is to help as many veterans as she can get what they are owed. 

“Veterans deserve the world,” she said. “They have given up everything for us – they went into service knowing they might make the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is fight to give them the benefits they need. That’s my goal. I will fight tooth and nail to get them the benefits they deserve.”

MacKenzi is aware the process of claims, appeals, denials, and back and forth with the VA can seem endless. This can be exhausting and leave many veterans feeling hopeless and alone.  

“I think a lot of veterans feel they lose that sense of advocacy throughout this long process. They aren’t going to lose that advocacy with me,” she said. “I want to be there for them every step of the way, no matter how long it takes.”