Attorney Profile

I have been practicing Social Security law for a long time.  Disability cases have been almost 100% of my caseload since I opened my own practice in January 1994.  For the three years prior to that, I was a staff attorney at the Social Security Office of Hearings and Appeals, where I got to see how things work on the inside.  This office now handles all cases in the northern half of the state.  Prior to that, I worked for Utah Legal Services for seven years, the last three years at the attorney in charge of Social Security cases for the Salt Lake City office.  From January 2001 through September 2007, I won over 99% of my cases, over 670 cases in all.

I think that there are some things besides my experience and success rate that distinguish the way I handle cases from others.  My paralegal, Jody, has been working for me for over three years and can answer almost any question you have.  Whereas some firms have paralegals review the file and make decisions about the medical evidence, or have junior attorneys handle the case, I am the one making all the decisions about your case and I will be the one who goes to court with you.  Some people think bigger is better, but don't you want the person who has the experience and expertise to be the one making the decisions in your case?  Also, some firms will take almost any case.  Now, I can tell that some cases can be won over the phone, but in many others I will investigate the case thoroughly before I take it.  So you know that when I take your case, you have a good shot at winning.  Third, I'm not going to give up if the Administrative Law Judge rules against me.  I always appeal to the next level, the Appeals Council, and usually appeal to Federal Court after that.  Only three times in the last six years did I not think the case was meritorious enough to appeal to federal court.  And some firms do not even meet with their client before they go to court.  I will meet with you and we will discuss the case in detail and I will answer any questions you have.  I don't think there is any other way to make the best possible presentation to the judge.

I've made it through a serious illness myself and know what it's like to spend a lot of time in the hospital and be stuck at home unable to do most things.  And I know dealing with the disability process is often frustrating and usually time-consuming.  The government doesn't move very fast.  I'd like to help you get the benefits you deserve.  So call my office.  I don't charge anything to evaluate the case and do not charge a fee unless we win.