Best Social Security Disability Lawyer in Alabama
Janet Cox
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Janet Cox began her career in 1979 as a staff attorney for the Social Security Administration in its administrative appeals division. She has represented claimants in private practice since 1982. She has devoted her entire legal career to the field of Social Security Disability law. Few, if any, attorneys in northern Alabama can match her depth of experience, her unique qualifications or the level of service she provides to her clients.
Jan Cox is a nature enthusiast who loves to explore the world through international travel, especially on nature and wildlife tours. Her passion for birds has led her to pursue amateur birding, and she enjoys identifying and learning about different bird species. When she’s not traveling, Jan loves to spend time outdoors, hiking through the mountains or tending to her garden. One of her favorite destinations is the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she finds peace and relaxation in the stunning natural scenery. Jan’s love for nature and exploration is a reflection of her curious and adventurous spirit.
Kevin T. Green
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Kevin T. Green is the founder of Green Disability Law and is an attorney committed to client service. During his more than 20 years of successfully representing Social Security Disability claimants, Kevin has developed a philosophy focused on personal attention and face-to-face meetings that distinguishes him from most other attorneys who practice in this unique and complicated field of law. Kevin prefers to meet individually with his clients from the beginning. This allows him to thoroughly analyze their claims and advise them not only on the applicable Social Security laws and procedures but also any other potential benefits that may be available to them. Kevin feels strongly that if a client hires a lawyer, that lawyer should personally manage their case.
Born in Florence, Alabama, Kevin graduated from Birmingham Southern College in 1988. He earned his law degree from the University of Alabama in 1991 and began representing Social Security disability claimants that very same year. He has represented thousands of Social Security claimants at all levels from the initial application stage all the way to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Alabama and Mississippi state bar associations and has been a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives.
BRIAN R. CARMICHAEL
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Mr. Brian R. Carmichael founding member of Carmichael Law Group LLC practices Social Security Disability law for clients all over America. In a recent Social Security civil action litigated in Federal Court, Mr. Carmichael is happy to announce that he obtained an allowance of benefits for his client previously denied by the Administrative Law Judge and the Appeals Council.
Attorney Carmichael is a proud member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives and admitted to practice law in the following courts:
- All Alabama State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
Douglas I. Friedman
Social Security Disability Lawyer
I grew up in a Long Island suburb of New York City about 20 miles from Manhattan. My father was a self-described merchant and my mom was a housewife. I went to college at the University of Virginia, and then further south to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt Law School. While there, I was recruited to join Protective Life in Birmingham, and have stayed in Birmingham ever since.
At Protective I was an attorney in the Advanced Sales Department of the life insurance company. I advised agents about the tax and legal aspects of life insurance and annuities in complex cases involving estate and business planning. I earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (“CLU”), which still comes in handy because my firm represents life insurers across the country as National Counsel for Estate and Business Planning.
My firm started accepting referrals from insurers to help their disabled Long Term Disability customers with cases for Social Security Disability and Veterans disability. We expanded our practice nationally to represent disabled workers wherever they lived. We also advised insurers on compliance and litigation.
Today I still practice in these areas that grew from my first job. I am especially proud to help veterans in their claims for disability because I know that it is hard for them to find accurate, reliable information.
Abbey Clarkson
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Abbey is a graduate of Jacksonville State University (B.A. and M.P.A) and the University of Alabama School of Law (Roll Tide!). In law school, she was a member of the Campbell Moot Court Board and National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Team. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of the Legal Profession, the country’s oldest legal ethics publication.
Abbey has been in private practice since 2010. She is passionate about fighting for the rights of the disabled and has successfully handled hundreds of Social Security Disability benefits cases all over the Southeast. Having represented so many different clients who are struggling to navigate a complicated system while staying afloat financially, she has encountered a wide variety of people and circumstances. Abbey does not judge her clients (there are actual judges for that!), but instead strives to empathize with each client’s situation and works with them to formulate a plan that is best for them. She is very lucky to have two of her extremely smart, capable, and caring younger sisters (Amber and Allison) on her team and helping her provide the best possible service to clients.
Randy Walton
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Randy Walton is the founder and principal attorney of Walton Law, LLC. Randy has practiced law in south Alabama since 1989, and over the last 15 years he has devoted his practice almost exclusively to representing individuals in Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. During that time, he has helped thousands of individuals through the process of pursuing and ultimately receiving much-needed disability benefits.
Randy was born in Hampton, Virginia, and earned his B.A. degree from James Madison University in 1984. In 1987, he graduated from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham. After law school, he served a clerkship with the Honorable Richard Kellam, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Randy and his family have lived on the Eastern Shore in Baldwin County, Alabama since 1989 and now call Fairhope home. When not practicing law, Randy enjoys racing in triathlons throughout the country and has completed over 50 races
Renee W. Lee
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Renee W. Lee was born in Dothan, Alabama and raised in nearby Geneva. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. She is recognized by Troy University as an Outstanding Undergraduate Student by the College of Business. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Renee began working in a law office after graduating from high school and has worked in law firms in Alabama and Florida. Renee W. Lee has worked at every level of responsibility within a law firm: from receptionist, to secretary, to paralegal, to attorney, culminating in starting and running her own law firm in Dothan. Renee’s practice focuses on Social Security disability law, personal injury, estate planning, and probate matters. She also maintains her certification as a Guardian Ad Litem.
Jim Abernathy
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Jim Abernathy is a native of Tuscaloosa and a graduate of the University of Alabama. In 1996 he graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is a member of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and the National Organization for Social Security Claimants Representatives. He is admitted to practice before all Alabama state courts, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Alabama.
He has served as Chairman of the Alabama Workers Compensation Law Section of the Alabama State Bar and has taught Workers’ Compensation at the University of Alabama School of Law. He was appointed to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama from May 2001 through May 2003, and he served as Prosecutor for the City of Centreville, Alabama from January 2001 through November 2002. He practices exclusively in the areas of:
- Social security disability
- Workers’ compensation (however, Mr. Abernathy is not accepting new workers’ compensation cases at this time)
Having the best Social Security Disability lawyer in Alabama is essential for several reasons:
Complex Legal Process: Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be a complicated and challenging process. An experienced lawyer who specializes in this area of law will have a deep understanding of the complex rules, regulations, and procedures involved.
Increased Chances of Approval: Statistics show that applicants who are represented by a lawyer have a higher likelihood of having their Social Security Disability claim approved. A skilled lawyer knows how to present your case in the most favorable light, maximizing your chances of success.
Gathering Sufficient Evidence: A strong disability claim requires substantial medical evidence to support the disability and its impact on your ability to work. A proficient lawyer knows what evidence is needed and how to obtain it to strengthen your case.
Handling Administrative Tasks: The process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits involves extensive paperwork, deadlines, and communications with various agencies. A seasoned lawyer will handle all the administrative tasks, ensuring that everything is completed accurately and on time.
Appeals and Hearings: If your initial application is denied (which is not uncommon), having a skilled lawyer is crucial during the appeals process. They can represent you at hearings and argue your case in front of an administrative law judge.
Reducing Delays: Without proper legal representation, you may encounter delays in the approval process due to mistakes or missing information. A competent lawyer can help expedite the process, preventing unnecessary delays.
Expert Knowledge: The best Social Security Disability lawyers in Alabama have extensive experience in handling disability cases, making them experts in the field. They are familiar with the judges, local procedures, and how to navigate the system effectively.
Contingency Fee Basis: Most Social Security Disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay them if they win your case. This can alleviate financial burdens for claimants who are already facing financial difficulties due to their disabilities.
Compassionate Support: Dealing with a disability claim can be emotionally and mentally draining. A skilled lawyer can provide not only legal support but also empathetic guidance throughout the process.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes: A simple error or omission in your application or appeal can lead to a denial of benefits. The best lawyers are meticulous and detail-oriented, minimizing the risk of costly mistakes.
Overall, having the best Social Security Disability lawyer in Alabama can significantly increase your chances of a successful claim and relieve much of the stress associated with the process. If you believe you have a valid disability claim, it is advisable to consult with an experienced lawyer to understand your rights and options.