In my practice, I always try to schedule an in-office, in-person meeting with my client prior to his/her hearing. Usually, I try to meet a week or two before the actual hearing date to discuss the hearing procedures and to practice answering the questions that are likely going to be asked.
As I noted this past November, I am starting to see more instances when a judge will want to change the "onset date" for my client's disability. What does this mean and should you be concerned?
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Filed under Administrative Law Judges, Disability Lawyers, Disability hearings, Earnings requirements by 
I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to join the faculty of an innovative and new online learning center called Solo Practice University. Founded by Susan Cartier Liebel, a lawyer and editor of the Build a Solo Practice blog, SPU offers lawyers training about how to go into business – something definitely not taught in law school classrooms.
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Jonathan Ginsberg with Social Security CD
Over the past year, Social Security has made meaningful strides in reducing hard copy paperwork and improving the efficiency of the disability adjudication process. One of the most noticeable changes has been the gradual elimination of cardboard and paper files, which are being replaced by compact disks. Social Security personnel now scan medical records and burn the files to compact disc. Employees at the hearing office mail the discs to the attorney for pre-hearing review. From the perspective of an attorney the CD system avoids the hassle of scheduling time to review the files or hiring someone to physically photocopy the files.
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I frequently get emails from frustrated disability claimants who are upset at the long delays. Often the claimant expresses frustration with his lawyer because of the delays. Earlier this week, for example, I received an email from an individual who is suffering with a fairly significant medical problems and who is about to lose her home – she wanted to fire her lawyer and retain me. I responded by telling the claimant that the delays were not her lawyer's fault and to stay the course. In that case, I happened to know the lawyer and I also told her that she had very capable counsel.
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My question is this. I had a lawyer in NC for my disability hearing which I lost. His representation was horrible, not to mention his communication with me. Anyway, I told him I no longer wanted his services for my appeal. He said he would file a form with SSA stating that he was not my lawyer. I ask him to send me a copy 3 weeks ago. He did not. I emailed him again and ask him if he had even sent the form. he sent me a very rude reply with no answer.
I need to let SSA know that this man is not my lawyer. I called and they still have him listed. How do I get him off as my lawyer? He obviously isn't going to cooperate. He is horrible. Some advice????
Robin
Filed under Appeal issues, Disability Lawyers by
In my law practice, I have handled both bankruptcy and Social Security disability cases. Unfortunately, with delays in the Social Security system approaching 3 years, more and more of my disability clients find themselves considering bankruptcy.
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Why is it a doctor will say they will help you to get disability because they believe you are disabled but then require extra money just to write an attorney a letter?
–Shannon
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From time to time, I receive emails or blog comments from disability claimants who are frustrated with the slow pace of the disability adjudication process and who want to change lawyers. They often express frustration at how long it takes to even get to a hearing and they think that their lawyer should be doing more to move the process along.
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