Bigger Isn’t Always Better— Why Social Security Claimants Need Local Attorneys

The Wall Street Journal published a story on December 22, 2011, highlighting the problems with single-practice, Social Security “mega firms.” (Click here for the story.) Sources in the article describe these mega firms as “‘like a warehouse’ with the goal of seeing ‘how much money they can make.'” Judges complain that these firms often submit incomplete files, and clients often meet their attorney for the first time 5 minutes before their hearings. You should think this is unacceptable. McCroskey Law certainly does.

The horrible thing is that these mega firms don’t just hire lawyers. How does a mega firm earn $88 million in Social Security fees in 2010, and afford a $20 million advertising budget? They hire low-paid non-lawyers to represent their clients. These non-lawyers charge as much for their services as a lawyer, and have much less training and expertise.

However, the Wall Street Journal also notes:

Many [Social Security] cases are handled by small law firms or legal advocates for the poor, which generally have modest client rosters and offer more personalized service than bigger firms, according to judges, lawyers and claimants.

Who would you rather have represent you? A seasoned, local lawyer who has a detailed understanding of law, medicine and the local judges, or a non-lawyer who you met minutes before your hearing?

At McCroskey Law, we do not hire non-lawyers to represent Social Security clients. Instead, we have a team of lawyers who are disability experts. Our Social Security lawyers are client-focused. We meet with our clients face-to-face. We return phone calls. We know West Michigan.

For more information about choosing a Social Security lawyer, see our “Important Questions to Ask a Social Security Representative” article.

If you have been denied Social Security, you deserve expert representation. Contact McCroskey Law today. All Social Security appointments are free– we only charge a fee if we win your case.