Best Social Disability Lawyer in Tuscon
Kiel J. Roeschke
Disability Lawyer
I have focused my practice on representing and helping disabled clients obtain the benefits they deserve. My practice includes assisting individuals at all levels of the Social Security disability process, including the initial application, Administrative Law Judge hearings, and before the Appeals Council. In addition, I also represent clients in Social Security appeals before the United States Federal Courts. Throughout my career, I have successfully represented thousands of claimants before the Social Security Administration. Simply put, Disability is what I do!
I have been admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and the State Bar of Michigan, along with multiple Federal District Courts. Furthermore, I am a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and the Maricopa County Bar Association. I am a graduate of New York Law School and Michigan State University.
My practice involves helping individuals pursue social security disability benefits throughout the State of Arizona. I have represented clients in all of Arizona’s Social Security ODAR offices and have successfully handled cases in the States of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Georgia.
My office has the capacity to assist clients with filing their claims, obtaining medical records and expert evidence, and hearing representation.
JEREMY KILLPACK
Disability Lawyer
JEREMY KILLPACK is the managing attorney at Hallinan & Killpack Law Firm. He received his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 2008 where he graduated with high honors (Magna Cum Laude). He obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Management with an emphasis on marketing from BYU in 2003. He is licensed to practice law in Arizona and is an inactive member of the Florida bar. Since beginning the practice of law in Florida in 2008, he has assisted thousands of clients in more than 35 states in Social Security Disability, Personal Injury Claims, Slip and Fall Accidents, Truck Accidents, Bus Accidents, and Wrongful Death Claims.
He has always had a love of people. We can learn something from everyone we meet. He also loves to be outdoors backpacking, hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, and just about everything else. He is a bit of a thrill seeker who constantly seeks to learn new things. He also loves games, especially strategy games like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, and Risk. If he had not become a lawyer, he would have chosen a profession that involved working with his hands building things or repairing things. He is driven to fix problems and create solutions to make lives better, a trait that has resulted in many happy clients.
Brian Clymer
Disability Lawyer
Brian Clymer is an attorney who represents injured workers in workers’ compensation cases and Social Security disability cases. He graduated with high distinction from the University of Virginia in 1975 with a double major in speech and government and received his law degree from the University of Arizona in 1978, graduating in the top 10% of his class.
He has been licensed to practice law in the state of Arizona since October 7, 1978 and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Brian has represented claimants in Social Security disability cases on appeals to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, the Appeals Council, and the federal courts, where he has a won a case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that was published work as legal precedent. Brian is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Disability Claimants.
In the field of workers’ compensation, Brian is a certified specialist in Workers’ Compensation law by the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization since 1983 and has won cases before the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court on a variety of issues including heart attacks caused by emotional stress, hearing loss from gradual noise exposure, exposure to pesticides, and gradual injury claims for muscular conditions.
Brian was a contributing writer to two chapters of the Arizona Workers’ Compensation Handbook published by the State Bar of Arizona. He has served twice as the co-chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Arizona, is a past member of the Arizona Trial Lawyers Board of Directors, and past chairman of the Southern Arizona Workers’ Compensation Claimants’ Attorneys’ Association. Brian served as a member of the Industrial Commission of Arizona’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee which looked into ways to improve the hearing process, and he has also appeared before committees of the Arizona state legislature to advocate for improvements in our workers’ compensation system.
Brian has been a “Masters of the Bench” member of the Morris K. Udall Inn of Court from 2010 to 2015 and has served as a member of the State Bar of Arizona Workers’ Compensation Advisory Commission since 2015 and holding the position of Chair since 2016. Brian is also a member of AALIW which is an association of Arizona attorneys who represent injured workers in workers’ compensation case.
In 2016 Brian started service on the Pima County Bar Association Board of Directors and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Southern Arizona Legal Aid Inc. since 2017. In 2018 Brian began service on the Pima County Bar Foundation Board of Directors.
CHAD SNOW
Disability Lawyer
Chad started The Law Offices of Chad Snow in 2003 as a single attorney with a cell phone and a desk on loan from a local attorney. That firm would evolve to become Snow, Carpio & Weekley in 2008. Chad’s interest in fighting for the rights of Arizona workers went beyond the courtroom. He frequented lobbies at the Arizona legislature on bills that affected workers and received multiple recognitions from organized labor for his efforts on workers’ behalf.
Chad was a native of Glendale, Arizona, and attended Alhambra High School in West Phoenix. After high school he served as a missionary for the LDS Church in Bilbao, Spain from 1990-1992. He worked his entire career in the workers’ compensation field and represented thousands of injured workers in front of the Industrial Commission and the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Prior to passing in January 2022, Chad fought a 5-year battle with multiple myeloma but never let it slow him down or change his love of serving people through his work, church callings and many civic contributions. He navigated his illness with grace and courage and continued to put his families’ and friends’ needs in front of his own until the end.
Less than a week before he passed, he was honored by the Arizona State Senate for his years of volunteer work and his commitment to injured workers, immigrants and those in need.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, parents and siblings and will live on in the hearts of many.
Michelle Michelson
Disability Lawyer
Michelle Michelson represents claimants seeking Social Security Disability benefits in Southern Arizona at all levels of the administrative application and appeals process as well as in federal court.
Michelle received her law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in May 2000. In May 1995, she received a Master of Social Work degree from San Francisco State University. After law school, she had the privilege of working as a law clerk for the Honorable Louis H. Pollak, United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Michelle was an associate attorney with the firm of Corey & Kime, P.C., and worked at the Arizona Center for Disability Law where she focused on mental health issues before opening her own firm in 2009.
Matt Craig Fendon
Disability Lawyer
Since 2001, Attorney Matt Fendon has worked on workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability cases (first as a paralegal and then as a licensed attorney as of 2008). He gives back to his community supporting organizations such as St. Vincent de Paul, Kid’s Chance, and St. Mary’s Foodbank. Through dedication and experience, he has earned membership to the State Bar of Arizona Workers’ Compensation Section, the Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group, the Arizona Association for Injured Workers, and the Arizona Association for Justice. He also enjoys helping his peers by presenting seminars for the Arizona State Bar and other organizations.
He is a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation law by the State Bar of Arizona. He started as a certified paralegal and graduated from law school in 2008. He was licensed to practice in AZ the same year. He has a 10.0 (“Superb”) rating with Avvo.com, he is “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell. He was also voted a Top Attorney by Phoenix Magazine in 2022. Matt Fendon was selected for the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ list in 2014-2018 and dubbed a Super Lawyer since 2019. He is a native Phoenician. In fact, the only time he lived outside of Arizona was for law school in Lansing, Michigan. He worked for Fendon Law Firm, P.C. from February 2001 through December 2017. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, lifting weights, reading, and playing golf. He also is an avid sports fan. Nashville is his second home. He enjoys visiting the Music City as much as possible.
ARTHUR "ART" V. GAGE
Disability Lawyer
Art grew up in Douglas, Arizona, and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1980 with a Metallurgical Engineering degree and Juris Doctorate in 1984. Throughout his career, he specialized in Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Veterans Benefits.
Art and his team have transitioned the practice to a full-time Veterans Benefits law practice over the past few years. Through Art’s time practicing Veterans Benefits law, serving on the National Organization of Veterans Advocates Board of Directors, and advising countless Veterans advocacy organizations, Art is the preeminent Veterans Benefits attorney in Arizona.
In Art’s free time, you will find him at one of Arizona’s many Veteran Stand Downs. Art also volunteers for social service organizations that serve the Veteran population. Art has served on the boards of directors for Tucson Homeless Connect and Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness. He is an avid Arizona sports fan and enjoys attending games with his wife, Jean, and their two sons, Tyler and Austin. Jean often has the family experiencing new cultures, foods, and hikes globally. However, everyone knows their two dogs are the ones who run the Gage house.
Navigating the Sonoran Desert: Why You Deserve a Top-Tier Disability Lawyer in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, nestled amidst the majestic saguaro cacti and vibrant desert landscape, pulsates with a rich history and a welcoming spirit. Yet, for those living with disabilities, navigating daily life can present additional challenges. If you have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from working, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can feel overwhelming. Here’s where a top-tier disability lawyer in Tucson steps in, becoming your trusted guide and fierce advocate throughout the Social Security disability benefits process. This comprehensive guide explores the invaluable benefits of retaining a skilled disability attorney who will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the financial assistance you deserve.
Understanding the Social Security Disability System and Your Rights
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two disability programs: SSDI, for individuals with a work history, and SSI, for individuals with limited income and resources who are blind, disabled, or over 65. Understanding the complexities of the SSA application process and your rights is crucial:
- Know Your Eligibility: SSDI benefits are based on your work history and disability, while SSI benefits are based on financial need and disability. A knowledgeable disability lawyer in Tucson ensures you understand the specific program that applies to your situation and assists you in gathering the necessary documentation to prove your disability.
- Gathering Medical Evidence: Building a strong case for disability benefits hinges on a comprehensive medical record. Your lawyer can help you obtain medical records from doctors, specialists, and hospitals, documenting the nature and severity of your impairment.
- Understanding the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process: The SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate disability claims. Your lawyer guides you through each step, ensuring your application addresses the SSA’s specific criteria.
- Appealing a Denied Claim: Unfortunately, initial SSDI or SSI applications are often denied. However, you have the right to appeal. Your attorney will represent you throughout the appeal process, presenting compelling evidence to support your claim.
- Understanding Time Limits: Federal laws mandate specific deadlines for filing applications and appeals. Your lawyer ensures you meet all deadlines and submit the required documentation within the designated timeframe.
Beyond Legal Expertise: The Qualities of a Top-Tier Disability Lawyer in Tucson
Not all disability lawyers are created equal. Here’s what sets the best Tucson disability lawyers apart:
- Extensive Experience in Arizona Disability Law: In-depth knowledge of Arizona-specific disability laws, Social Security Administration regulations, and the intricacies of the application and appeal process is crucial. Look for an attorney with a proven track record of success handling cases similar to yours in Arizona.
- Focus on Disability Law: Experience matters. Seek an attorney who specializes in disability law, ensuring they possess the specific expertise and resources needed to effectively manage your case and navigate the complexities of Social Security disability claims in Arizona.
- Understanding of Medical Conditions: A good understanding of various medical conditions and their impact on work capacity is crucial. Your lawyer should understand how your specific disability affects your ability to perform your past work or any other type of work.
- Compassion and Understanding: Living with a disability can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Your lawyer should approach your case with empathy, providing emotional support and guidance throughout the process.
- Clear Communication and Accessibility: Clear and consistent communication is vital. A top-tier attorney keeps you informed on the status of your case, answers your questions promptly, and addresses your concerns openly and honestly.
- Competitive Fees and Flexible Payment Structures: Many disability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they win your case and secure benefits for you. Discuss fee structures upfront to ensure transparency and explore options that fit your financial circumstances.
Finding the Right Advocate: Resources for Legal Representation in Tucson
- Seek Recommendations: Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who have applied for disability benefits and inquire about their lawyers.
- Arizona Bar Association: Contact the Arizona Bar Association for referrals to qualified disability lawyers in Tucson.
- Disability Rights Organizations: Several organizations in Arizona offer legal assistance or referrals to disability attorneys, such as the Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) or the Disability Law Center of Arizona.
- Social Security Administration (SSA): The SSA website offers resources and information on the disability application process and legal representation options.