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LOCAL LAWYER? OR TV LAWYER?





 You see them everywhere:  billboards, magazines, TV ads.  Out-of-state law firms offering to help you with Social Security disability claims.  Over my years in practice, I have dealt with dozens of clients who hired a long distance law firm to help them get disability.  In nearly every case, they were disappointed.

Here's what the long distance or remote law firms don't tell you:

  • You won't meet your lawyer until last minute - at the hearing.
  •  Your lawyer may be changed/switched several times during the case.
  •  You may not be handled by a lawyer at all - but by an assistant.
  •  It may be very difficult to get your lawyer on the phone.
  • The person you think is representing you may not be the person who shows up for your hearing.
  • You won't get to know your representative or lawyer in advance.
  •  The lawyer may not be available for help or questions after your hearing.

There are many advantages to hiring a local lawyer to represent you in 
Social Security cases.

First, you meet your legal representative on day one.  He or she stays with you from start to finish.  

The lawyer you hire will show up to represent you in court.

Your local lawyer will answer the phone or return your phone calls.

The local lawyer knows the judges who hear Social Security cases in your area; he/she deals with these judges every day.

You are able to schedule an appointment and see and talk to your local lawyer.  Not so with the remote lawyer.

I'm not quite sure why people think a far away layer is somehow better than a local one.  Jesus may have said it best:  "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country."

 But remember:  You don't know anything about the law firm that's 1,000 miles away.  It may be a very good firm.  Or it could be a call center with an 800 number and the rest is anybody's guess.

Why not get a lawyer you can see, visit, talk to--and get to know?  Be a client, not just a case number.

"Eyeball your lawyer before you hire him!"

 

 
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