If you know someone who applied for and received SSDI, ask them about their experience with their attorney. You can also ask friends, family members, and trusted acquaintances if they have any recommendations for a good Social Security disability lawyer. Your doctor and other healthcare professionals may also know some disability attorneys and be willing to recommend a few to you.
The Massachusetts Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service (LRS). You can select the area of law and your location to receive attorney referrals at any time. It is free to search the LRS and receive several names to check further.
An attorney’s website provides information to help you determine whether they might be the right fit. Read about the backgrounds and experiences of the various lawyers who work in the office, including how long they have been licensed and any recognition they might have received. See if the firm has a blog with helpful articles, and make sure they list Social Security disability as a practice area.
After you have looked at several firm websites and have a few names, search for each lawyer online to find reviews and testimonials from former clients. The lawyer’s website also might have some reviews and testimonials you can read. Other places to look include Google Reviews and avvo.com.
Schedule a consultation with an attorney who you feel might be a good fit following your search. A good Social Security disability lawyer should offer free consultations to allow you time to meet, ask questions, and evaluate the attorney and their team. During the consultation, the lawyer will also ask several questions to understand your case and assess its legal merits.
Create a list of questions to ask before your consultation. Some examples of questions you might ask include the following:
A good disability lawyer should be willing to answer your questions. Pay attention to how the attorney communicates with you during your meeting. The right attorney should be someone with experience who listens to what you have to say and can explain legal terms in an understandable way.
An ethical Social Security disability lawyer will never guarantee or promise that you will win your case. Instead, a good lawyer will explain that they can’t guarantee that you will be approved for benefits. However, they should be able to assess your chances of success based on the facts of your case.
The right attorney should be someone who conducts themselves with professionalism and courtesy. This will be important both during your representation as well as your hearing. The administrative law judge (ALJ) who will determine your case will react more favorably to someone who exhibits professionalism and strong communication skills.
Consider the following things when you evaluate an attorney’s professionalism:
If an attorney is unprofessional during your consultation, they will likely also handle your case in a similar way.
If you’re looking for a good SSDI lawyer to help you pursue your benefits claim, contact the knowledgeable attorneys at Ellis & Associates. We offer free consultations and will provide you with an honest assessment of your case. Call us today at 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.
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