Lawyers

Are you Nervous?

Dirk May Law, Lawyers, Social Security Disability

Your Social Security Disability hearing is coming up soon. Are you nervous? Most likely. You do not know what to expect and the result is very important to you.

It is not like what you see on television. There is no big courtroom. There is no jury. The only people in the room are the judge, yourself, the vocational expert and the hearing room monitor(tapes the hearing).

In order to be more relaxed you need to know that the judge is going to ask you about your symptoms, your limitations, your daily activities, your work history, your education, your ability to do chores. The hearing is going to last from 40 to 50 minutes and you are going to have to ask the vocational expert questions. The judge will usually not decide your case on the spot. The judge will take from 30 to 60 days to issue a written decision in your case.

If you have any questions about what is going to happen at your Social Security Disability hearing please feel free to call me, Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371. 

How Do I Choose a Social Security Lawyer?

Dirk May Law, Lawyers, Social Security Disability

Let’s be honest. Not every client and lawyer get along.  When choosing your lawyer it is important to make sure your personalities and expectations match.  Here are some important things to keep in mind:

  •  Does the lawyer return your calls within 24 hours? There really is no excuse for not returning your calls. If the lawyer is in court, then the attorney will have to get you a message and call you when available.
  • Does your lawyer take your input? A Social Security disability case is really a partnership between attorney and client. This does not mean the lawyer will always agree with you, but you should at least be able to discuss your views and understand why the attorney takes certain approaches and positions in your case.
  • Is this more than a business relationship? In other words, it is not just about money. There must be trust and an ability to work together to put your best case before the Administrative Law Judge. A lawyer can never guarantee you will win, but the attorney can promise to give his best effort to present your case.
  • Is the lawyer familiar with the Administrative Law Judges who may decide your case? It is very important to know the judge and what he or she looks for in a disability case. A lawyer from a city or state far from your home will be at a great disadvantage.

Any questions, please call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Will you call me back?

Dirk May Lawyers

I just returned from a seminar for lawyers. In Illinois, it is required that a lawyer attend 20 hours of continuing education over a 2 year period. Probably a good idea to require this. One of the speakers pointed out that a major complaint from clients is that their lawyer does not respond to their telephone calls. There are probably a number of reasons why this happens. None of them good, by the way. The lawyer is too busy, the people assisting him do not follow through, or he is too disorganized to return the calls.In any event, I understand that your case is very important to you and I am willing to return all your calls and discuss your questions. Try it out and give me a call.