What is important when hiring a disability lawyer?

When you become unable to work due to a physical or psychological medical problem, you need to speak with a lawyer about filing for Social Security Disability. When you meet with the lawyer, you should make sure that she or he knows what they are doing regarding any claim you will file. In order to protect yourself, you should ask the lawyer the following three questions:

1. How many hearings do you handle a month?
   This is important because if she or he only attends a few hearings a month, they may not keep up to date on all the changes in the law and regulations. In our office, each lawyer handles multiple hearings a month. Also, we are constantly keeping up to date on all the changes Social Security makes.
2. Do you attend continuing legal education for Social Security?
   In our office, we each attend at least one national four-day seminar a year. In addition, we are frequent speakers nationally, in the state, and locally.
3. Are you a member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)?
   NOSSCR is our trade organization, and they sponsor national seminars regarding Social Security. Each of our lawyers attends at least one NOSSCR conference/seminar a year. In addition, Scott Smith currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Remember to ask these questions when you meet with a lawyer.