Securing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits involves navigating stringent federal administrative requirements, detailed medical record reviews, and strict procedural deadlines. While individuals can file claims independently, working with an experienced legal team significantly improves approval odds, particularly when appealing initial denials before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
This directory compiles leading Social Security disability law firms and advocacy practices across the United States. It provides verified partner leadership, corporate locations, active contact details, official web domains, and core practice capabilities. Whether managing an initial filing, gathering consultative medical evidence, or pursuing federal district court appeals, evaluating a firm’s operational footprint and direct leadership helps ensure appropriate legal representation.
Social Security Disability Law Firms in the United States
The following directory outlines verified Social Security disability law firms and advocacy organizations nationwide, detailing leadership, corporate headquarters, contact details, and primary practice areas.
Verified National and Regional Disability Law Directory
| Law Firm | Partner or Lead Attorney | Location | Phone Number | Official Website | Disability Services |
| Chermol & Fishman, LLC | David F. Chermol, Managing Partner | Philadelphia, PA | (215) 464-7200 | chermolfishman.com | Initial filings, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council, Federal District Court litigation |
| Binder & Binder | Charles E. Binder, Co-Founder | New York, NY | (800) 424-6337 | binderandbinder.com | Nationwide SSDI & SSI representation, ALJ hearings, administrative appeals |
| Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law | Jan Dils, Founder & Managing Attorney | Parkersburg, WV | (877) 526-3457 | jandils.com | SSDI, SSI, VA Disability claims, ALJ hearings, Appeals Council review |
| Morgan & Morgan | John Morgan, Founding Partner | Orlando, FL | (800) 999-6900 | forthepeople.com | Nationwide SSDI applications, denial reconsiderations, ALJ administrative hearings |
| Cannon Disability Law | Dianna Cannon, Lead Attorney | Salt Lake City, UT | (800) 732-2323 | cannondisability.com | SSDI, SSI, administrative hearings, Federal Court appeals across Western states |
| Pond Lehocky Giordano | Sam Pond, Managing Partner | Philadelphia, PA | (800) 568-7500 | pondlehocky.com | Regional SSDI & SSI representation, workers compensation coordination, ALJ hearings |
| Disability Help Group | Dave Osborn, Lead Advocate | Mesa, AZ | (888) 939-4357 | disabilityhelpgroup.org | Initial disability applications, medical evidence assembly, ALJ hearing representation |
| Klain & Associates, LLC | Mark Klain, Managing Principal | Chicago, IL | (800) 818-4357 | klaindisability.com | Nationwide SSDI advocacy, administrative appeals, hearing preparation |
| Marc Whitehead & Associates | Marc Whitehead, Founding Partner | Houston, TX | (800) 562-9830 | disabilitydenials.com | SSDI, SSI, long term disability insurance claims, VA disability appeals |
| Premier Disability Services, LLC | Thomas A. Klint, Managing Attorney | Minneapolis, MN | (800) 366-2277 | premierdisability.com | Nationwide SSDI applications, reconsideration requests, ALJ hearing advocacy |
| Bross & Frankel, P.A. | Richard L. Frankel, Managing Partner | Cherry Hill, NJ | (856) 795-8880 | brossfrankel.com | SSDI, SSI, long term disability, veterans disability benefits |
| HNB Law Firm (Heller, Maas, Moro & Magill) | Michael Rake, Partner | Cincinnati, OH | (800) 686-5141 | hnblaw.com | Regional SSDI filings, SSI applications, ALJ hearings, administrative appeals |
| Packard Law Firm | Samuel W. Packard, Partner | San Antonio, TX | (210) 340-8877 | packardlawfirm.com | SSDI, SSI claims, childhood disability benefits, ALJ administrative representation |
| Tuite Law | Greg Tuite, Senior Partner | Rockford, IL | (815) 965-5700 | tuitelaw.com | Regional SSDI, SSI, workers compensation, disability hearings |
| Ankin Law Office, LLC | Howard Ankin, Managing Partner | Chicago, IL | (800) 442-6532 | ankinlaw.com | SSDI applications, administrative hearing appeals, personal injury coordination |
| Gattuso & Shirkey | Joseph Gattuso, Managing Partner | San Antonio, TX | (210) 225-1160 | gattusolaw.com | Texas SSDI & SSI representation, administrative law judge hearings |
| Attorneys for Disability Claims | Jon S. Pesner, Lead Principal | Los Angeles, CA | (800) 503-2000 | attorneysfordisabilityclaims.com | SSDI filings, SSI appeals, Federal Court litigation across California |
| Levine Benjamin Law Firm | Gary Benjamin, Senior Partner | Southfield, MI | (800) 675-0600 | levinebenjamin.com | Michigan SSDI & SSI applications, administrative appeals, hearing representation |
| Disability Attorneys of Michigan | Danal A. Becroft, Managing Attorney | Warren, MI | (800) 949-2900 | damichigan.com | State-level SSDI, SSI, medical evidence development, ALJ administrative hearings |
| George & George, ADR | R. Edward George, Partner | Akron, OH | (330) 376-1043 | georgeandgeorge.com | Regional SSDI claims, SSI administrative appeals, state disability review |
| Parmele Law Firm | Daniel A. Parmele, Founder & Lead Attorney | Springfield, MO | (888) 472-8800 | parmelelawfirm.com | Midwest SSDI & SSI advocacy, initial filings, ALJ administrative hearings |
| Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, PLLC | Kenneth R. Hiller, Managing Attorney | Buffalo, NY | (800) 300-0000 | kennethhiller.com | New York SSDI, SSI, VA disability, Federal District Court appeals |
| Krasno, Krasno & Onwudinjo | Jason Krasno, Managing Partner | Philadelphia, PA | (877) 299-0779 | krasnolaw.com | Pennsylvania SSDI, SSI claims, workers compensation integration |
| Doberman Law Office | Matthew Doberman, Lead Attorney | Atlanta, GA | (404) 873-3200 | dobermanlawoffice.com | Georgia SSDI applications, administrative hearing preparation, Appeals Council |
| HawkLaw, PA | James H. Hawk, Managing Partner | Greenville, SC | (888) 429-5529 | hawklawfirm.com | South Carolina SSDI claims, SSI filing assistance, administrative appeals |
| Cudney & Cudney | David Cudney, Partner | Oklahoma City, OK | (405) 232-1200 | cudneylaw.com | Oklahoma SSDI, SSI initial applications, ALJ administrative hearings |
| Law Offices of Harry J. Binder & Charles E. Binder | Harry J. Binder, Senior Partner | New York, NY | (212) 677-6800 | binderlawfirm.com | Federal SSDI litigation, Appeals Council reviews, administrative hearings |
| Rutter Mills | C. Arthur Rutter III, Managing Partner | Norfolk, VA | (757) 622-5000 | ruttermills.com | Virginia SSDI, SSI representation, long term disability claims |
| Green & Greenberg | Jeffrey Greenberg, Partner | Providence, RI | (401) 331-8989 | greenandgreenberg.com | New England SSDI & SSI claims, administrative law judge hearings |
| Myler Disability | David Myler, Founder | Alpine, UT | (800) 652-9626 | mylerdisability.com | Nationwide SSDI advocacy, administrative hearing prep, reconsideration filings |
What Each Firm Handles: Applications, Hearings, and Appeals
Choosing the right legal representative depends heavily on the specific procedural status of your claim. Social Security disability advocacy is divided into administrative stages, and a firm advertising general disability services may focus its operational capacity on specific tiers of the process.
Initial Disability Claims
The initial filing stage involves submitting complete work history details, medical treatment logs, and functional capacity forms to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Firms that manage initial applications, such as Binder & Binder or Premier Disability Services, assist claimants by building an organized medical record from the start. They coordinate directly with treating physicians to gather clinical notes, lab results, and RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) assessments before the state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency makes a baseline decision.
Handling a case at this stage requires administrative efficiency to prevent processing delays or denials caused by missing documentation.
Denied Claims and Administrative Hearings
If an initial claim is denied, the first appeal step in most states is Reconsideration, followed by requesting an administrative hearing. Representation becomes crucial at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing level.
Trial-focused disability practices, such as Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law or Cannon Disability Law, center their work around constructing legal arguments for ALJ proceedings. At the hearing, an attorney cross-examines vocational experts (VEs) and medical experts (MEs) called by the judge, submits formal hearing briefs, and objections to improper job classifications.
Navigating vocational expert testimony requires direct courtroom experience, as an attorney must demonstrate that a claimant cannot perform past relevant work or adjust to other work in the national economy.
Appeals Council and Federal District Court Litigation
When an ALJ issues an unfavorable decision, the remaining options involve requesting a review by the Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia, or filing a civil lawsuit in a United States District Court.
Not all high-volume disability firms litigate cases in federal court due to the strict brief-writing demands, civil procedure rules, and federal court admission requirements. Firms with dedicated appellate practices, such as Chermol & Fishman, LLC or the Law Offices of Kenneth Hiller, take on cases that involve legal errors made by an ALJ.
Federal litigation focuses on administrative law standards, assessing whether the judge’s decision was supported by substantial evidence or contained legal errors in evaluating treating physician opinions.
Who Leads the Disability Practice?
Understanding firm leadership structures helps claimants evaluate who will manage their case. Disability law firms range from national advocacy groups to boutique regional practices, and the attorney listed as founding partner may not be the lawyer attending your hearing.
- Founding and Managing Partners: Senior partners like Charles E. Binder or John Morgan establish firm policy, manage national operations, and oversee brand management. While these public figures shape organizational standards, they rarely manage individual client files or appear at local hearing offices.
- Disability Practice Group Leaders: In multi-practice regional law firms, dedicated disability practice leaders manage the team of associate attorneys, non-attorney representatives, and paralegals. These practice heads set strategy for medical evidence gathering and brief preparation.
- Assigned Associate Attorneys and Advocates: For most claimants, day-to-day casework and ALJ hearing appearances are handled by associate attorneys or SSA-accredited non-attorney representatives (EDPNA).
Legal ethics and SSA rules require that any attorney or non-attorney representative appearing on your behalf must be formally appointed using Form SSA-1696 (Appointment of Representative). Confirming the specific attorney assigned to your file ensures clear communication and consistent case preparation prior to your hearing date.
How to Check an Attorney’s Credentials Before Hiring
Before signing a fee agreement with any disability representative, verify their professional standing and authority to practice before the Social Security Administration.
- Verify State Bar Standing: Search the official state bar association database in the state where the attorney practices (for example, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or the State Bar of Texas). Confirm that the lawyer maintains an active license in good standing with no record of disbarment or suspension.
- Review Disciplinary Records: Check state bar public records for formal reprimands, ethics violations, or active disciplinary proceedings.
- Confirm SSA Representative Eligibility: The SSA maintains strict rules under 20 CFR § 404.1705 regarding who may serve as a paid representative. Attorneys must not be disqualified or suspended from practicing before the SSA or any federal court.
- Distinguish Between Attorneys and Non-Attorney Advocates: Non-attorney advocates can represent claimants if they pass an SSA examination, complete background checks, hold liability insurance, and maintain continuing education credits (EDPNA status). While qualified non-attorney advocates represent clients at administrative hearings, they cannot litigate cases in Federal District Court.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Hire a Disability Firm
When interviewing a potential legal representative, ask detailed questions regarding their operational structure, hearing strategy, and fee policies:
- Who will represent me at my ALJ hearing, and when will I speak with them? Determine whether you will meet your assigned hearing attorney well in advance or if a local contract attorney will be assigned shortly before the court date.
- How do you gather medical records, and do you request RFC statements from treating doctors? Ensure the firm actively collects clinical progress notes and obtains detailed functional capacity evaluations from your primary care doctors and specialists.
- Will you handle my case if an appeal to the Appeals Council or Federal Court is required? Ask if the firm handles appellate litigation directly or drops representation if the ALJ issues an unfavorable decision.
- How are administrative costs handled? Social Security attorney fees are regulated by federal law, capping contingency fees at 25% of past-due backpay (up to the maximum statutory threshold set by the SSA commissioner). Clarify whether you are responsible for out-of-pocket costs, such as medical record retrieval fees, regardless of the claim outcome.
Conclusion
Finding the right Social Security disability law firm requires matching your claim’s procedural stage with a firm’s specific practice focus. Whether filing an initial SSDI application, appealing a denial before an Administrative Law Judge, or pursuing Federal District Court litigation, selecting an experienced representative improves your chances of securing benefits.
Before signing a representation agreement, confirm the assigned attorney’s credentials, review fee terms, and ensure the firm actively manages medical record development. Choosing a dedicated, communicative legal team helps protect your rights throughout the administrative process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Social Security Disability Law Firm Represent Clients Nationwide?
Federal law allows licensed attorneys in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction to represent claimants before the Social Security Administration, regardless of state boundaries. However, nationwide firms often rely on local hearing attorneys or non-attorney representatives to attend regional ALJ hearings. Confirm whether a nationwide firm assigns dedicated local attorneys to your regional Office of Hearings Operations (OHO).
Do All Disability Attorneys Handle Both SSDI and SSI Claims?
Most comprehensive disability practices handle both SSDI (based on work credits and Social Security tax contributions) and SSI (a need-based program for low-income individuals). However, because SSI claims involve strict asset limits and financial verification, some boutique firms restrict their focus to SSDI or combined concurrent claims. Always verify that a firm accepts your specific program type.
Can I Hire an Attorney After Social Security Denies My Claim?
Yes. Many claimants handle initial applications on their own and retain an attorney only after receiving a formal denial notice. You have 60 days from receiving a denial letter (plus 5 days for mailing) to file an appeal. Hiring a lawyer immediately after a denial ensures that administrative deadlines are met and that missing medical evidence is collected prior to your ALJ hearing.
Does the Social Security Administration Rank Disability Law Firms?
No. The Social Security Administration does not rank, endorse, approve, or certify individual law firms or representatives. While the SSA publishes public data regarding representative volume and hearing outcomes, this administrative information does not constitute an official endorsement. Evaluate firms based on verified state bar standing, client reviews, and direct consultations.