Maria Bermudez is the founder of Disability Advocacy Group, LLC, a legal consulting and advocacy practice based out of Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Maria spent the first 15 years of her practice in Philadelphia focusing exclusively on Social Security and Long-Term Disability benefits under ERISA plans.  She also worked in Philadelphia as an Attorney Advisor for Region 3 under the direction of the Regional Chief Judge.  Maria has handled thousands of cases from inception through federal court and provides consulting services to fellow colleagues in the areas of law firm operations and infrastructure.

Maria previously served as the co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Social Security Disability Committee in addition to a number of non-profit and professional organization leadership positions over the years.

Maria is licensed in the Third Circuit, and all federal courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico.

Maria’s published work includes:

• Co-author, 2012 ABA HIV Bench Book, Chapter VIII, Administrative Proceedings: Social Security

• Author, The Legal Intelligencer, The Significance of Writing in the Legal Setting 

• Author, ABA Law Practice Today, Paper or Plastic? 

• Author, Philadelphia Bar Reporter, YLD Update, Monthly Column 

Maria’s passion for infrastructure and technology is rooted in a heartfelt desire to improve the quality of life of practitioners in this area while balancing the quality of service the disabled community deserves.

Ann is the Litigation Supervisor for the Mental Health Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City and is a statewide coordinator for New York State’s Disability Advocacy Project, a position she has held for more than 25 years. Ann is a graduate of Emory University and Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She has worked for various civil legal services organizations for more than 30 years, specializing in Social Security disability issues and issues affecting the elderly. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, in Federal District Courts (Eastern and Southern Districts of New York), and in the Courts of Appeals for the Second and the Federal Circuits.

EDUCATION

•  B.A., magna cum laude, Mercer University (June, 1976).
•  Juris Doctor, Walter F. George School of Law (Mercer University) (June, 1979).

EMPLOYMENT

• Sole Proprieter, Bruce K. Billman, Esq. - Fredericksburg, Richmond and Winchester, Virginia (1994 - present).
• Partner, Rice, Stallknecht & Billman - Stafford, Virginia (1987 – 1994).
• Associate Attorney, Westmoreland, Patterson & Moseley - Macon Georgia (1982- 1987).
• Staff Attorney and full-time clinical teacher, Walter F. George School of Law - Macon, Georgia (1981 - 1982).
•  Staff Attorney, Legal Services of Georgia - Macon and Dublin, Georgia (1979 - 1981).

PROFESSIONAL

•  Member of the Virginia State Bar (1987 - present).
• Member of Georgia State Bar (1979 - 1989, currently emeritus status).
• Admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Virginia.
• Board of Directors for National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)(1991 - 1998; 2007 – 2008; 2020 – 21 Past President’s Council).
• President (NOSSCR)(1999 - 2000).
• Board of Directors and Chair of the Social Security Law Section, Virginia Trial Lawyers (1999 - 2001).
• Membership Chairman, Fredericksburg Bar Association (1995 - present).
• Practice limited almost exclusively to the representation of individuals making claims under the Social Security Act and all necessary appeals including more than 200 appeals to the United States Federal Court System since 1982. Ancillary claims such as private Long Term Disability Insurance Plans under ERISA, Workers’ Compensation and Virginia State Retirement System claims have comprised less than 5% of practice during this time frame.

PERSONAL

• Married: Linda (nee) Ikner (1976); children (Elisabeth, Ross); grandchildren (Chloe S., Dean S.).
• Interests: Golf, Pool, Golf club and pool cue repair, Ice hockey, Reading.

Burke Bindbeutel has worked for Integrated Benefits as a claimants' representative since 2014. He co-led a team of volunteers with the Illinois Justice Corps, providing legal information to pro se litigants in Chicago's Daley Center. Burke graduated from Colorado College and earned his law degree at the University of Missouri. He lives in Berkeley, California where he is a novice instructor at Cal Sailing Club.

Attorney Melinda K. Brown attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (B.S., 2001) for her undergraduate degree in Architectural Studies. In 2006, she began taking courses at the Nashville School of Law at night, while continuing to work full time as a legal assistant. Ms. Brown graduated from the Nashville School of Law obtaining a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D. 2010). She was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2010, and the US District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts, in 2015. 

Since 2012, Melinda K. Brown operated a solo law practice, where she focused on Social Security Disability, Conservatorships, Probate and Estates. In 2022, the practice expanded to include Associate Attorney Seth Kantorik.

Ms. Brown has been a member of the American Association for Justice and Tennessee Association for Justice, the Rutherford Cannon County Bar Association (RCCBA), Barristers Lion’s Club, the National Organization for Social Security Claimant Representatives (NOSSCR), and the Middle Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women (MTLAW). She is active in community outreach programs and enjoys volunteer work. The RCCBA awarded her the Richard F. LaRoche, Sr. Pro Bono Award in 2015, the Joe M. Brandon, Jr. Distinguished Service Award in 2017, and Volunteer Service Awards for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.  She managed the RCCBA Free Legal Clinic at Greenhouse Ministries for three years, for which she was awarded a second Distinguished Service Award in 2021.

Jennifer Burdick is a Divisional Supervising Attorney in the SSI Unit at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.  She also serves as a co-chair of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities Social Security Task Force. Her practice focuses on representing adults and children facing issues both attaining and maintaining Social Security benefits at the DDS, OHO, and Federal Court level.  She also advocates for Social Security policy reforms.

Christine Burnside grew up in Wilmington, NC before attending UNC Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. She graduated from UNC Law in 2012 and began practicing Social Security law at the Deuterman Law Group the same year. Christine handles a high volume of claims primarly at the administrative level. She has been certified by the North Carolina Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in Social Security disability law since 2019.  Christine is passionate about helping her clients and mentoring newer claimants’ reps. She is proud to serve as a co-chair of NOSSCR NextGen, and was recently elected to the NOSSCR Board of Directors as a NOSSCR Fourth Circuit Representative. Christine also serves on the North Carolina State Bar Specialization Committee.

Sam is the founder and Managing Attorney of Atticus, a "primary-care law firm" built to get more Americans in crisis to claim aid and seek representation. In disability, Atticus represents more than 50,000 claimants in partnership with 75+ law firms led by NOSSCR members.

David Camp is the interim CEO of NOSSCR, where he oversees the organization’s evolution. Prior to being named interim CEO, he served as NOSSCR’s Chief Policy Officer, a role in which he oversaw the organization’s government affairs, SSA administrative, and litigation advocacy.

David previously served on NOSSCR’s Board of Directors, including as President from October 2021 through March 2023. In his term as President, David led NOSSCR’s transition to a new home in Washington, with an emphasis on advocacy.

David began his career at a legal services program, before serving as clerk to Missouri’s first disabled Supreme Court justice. In private practice, David represented thousands of disabled claimants for more than 25 years, focusing on service to the homeless. He operated a firm, while handling cases administratively and before federal courts in the 6th, 7th, and 8th Circuits.

He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee for West’s Social Security Reporting Service, and author of both “Current Social Security News” and “Social Security Claims and Procedures” for Westlaw. He founded the Administrative Law Committee for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and is a Past President of the Missouri Lawyers Trust Account Foundation. He serves as CEO of the NOSSCR Foundation. He is a past recipient of the Social Security Region 7 Commissioner’s Public Service Award, and NOSSCR’s Sweeney Award for Distinguished Service honoring his work litigating an end to the Secret ALJ Policy.

Sara has been a partner at Kerr Robichaux & Carroll since 2018. This will be her 7th time presenting with Kevin at NOSSCR. What Sara loves about attending NOSSCR events is that they help keep her practice fresh. She loves the free flowing exchange of ideas and her fellow conference attendees, who keep her on her toes.

Lauren was hired in March 2021 as a TLAP Clinical Case Manager. She has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Murray State University and has worked with individuals of all ages in therapy and neuropsychological/psychoeducational assessments. Lauren is working toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and is currently under the supervision of Tammy Stone, LPC-MHSP, QCS, LADAC, QCS. Lauren is also passionate about music and has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance as well as Psychology from King University. She is dedicated to supporting TLAP’s mission to providing support and education to individuals in the legal profession and protecting the public.

He is an elected member of the National Association of Social Insurance and was presented with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representative’s Eileen Sweeney Award.

Nobody knows more about how to grow a disability practice than Nathan Chapman. At a 1991 NOSSCR conference his agency was first in the nation to bring professional marketing to Social Security disability. Through Firmidable, disability firms across America have become household names and regional powerhouses.

With degrees in Finance and a marketing-focused MBA, Nathan’s passion is data-driven, holistic marketing driven by firm’s own measures of success.

As Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Information at NOSSCR, Jennifer is responsible for conducting advocacy work with the Administration, helping shape CLE content and programming, and serving as an expert advisor to NOSSCR members. She is NOSSCR’s primary point of contact for fees and other legal issues where NOSSCR helps members interface with Social Security. She has worked as a Social Security attorney since 2009, and has extensive experience representing claimants and training advocates.

Richard A. Culbertson has been practicing law in Central Florida for more than forty years. He is a certified specialist in Social Security Disability Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is currently a partner with Culbertson, Jacobs & LaBoda, P.L.L.C. which has offices in Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Leesburg Florida. He was co-counsel and appellant in the U. S. Supreme Court case Culbertson v. Berryhill.

Ms. Davidson is a partner with the firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, LLP in Macon, Georgia. She has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1982. She was born April 12, 1957, in Savannah, Georgia. She attended Middle Georgia College and graduated with an AS in Political Science in 1977. She also graduated from the University of Georgia with BA in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude 1978 and the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University with a JD degree in 1982. She has also been admitted to practice before the United States District Court for all three District Courts of Georgia, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America 2001. She is a past president of NOSSCR. She is the Chairperson of the Georgia ICLE program for Social Security. She has been a frequent guest lecturer at many NOSSCR, Georgia Bar, Alabama Bar and Florida Bar Social Security Programs.

Jessica is a compassionate and skilled practitioner who provides tireless advocacy to those with disabilities. She found her calling in the representation of disabled individuals before the Social Security Administration, joining Kapor Davis & Associates in 2018. Jessica has served as Co-Chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Social Security Law Practice Committee for two years.

Nicklyn Dolphin is a managing attorney at Marasco & Nesselbush I’m Providence Rhode Island. Nicklyn graduated with honors from Franklin & Marshall College in 2004 and New England School of Law in 2011. She has been admitted to practice law in Massachusetts since 2011 and has been practicing SS law since 2012. While initially focused on hearings only, since joining M&N Law, she has expanded to helping SSI, SSDI, child claimants and DAC claimants from initial application through Federal district court, where she has a small but successful record.

As a managing attorney, Nicklyn has worked closely with new attorneys, helping to train them in oral advocacy and to understand the nuance of SS Law. She helps new attorneys understand how evidence in a record along with testimony can truly support a claim for benefits, even where a case may seem more difficult from first glance. She is dedicated to this area of law and working for individuals to help improve their lives, one case at a time. 

Jon C. Dubin is the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Distinguished Professor of Law, Paul Robeson Scholar and Director of the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic at Rutgers Law School. He teaches Administrative Law, Social Security Law, Poverty, Race and Economic Justice, and the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic.  His clinical practice and scholarship for over 30 years have focused on the SSDI/SSID programs, including co-counseling the successful appeal and serving as the principal drafter of the Petitioner’s Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103 (2000)—a case in which the high court also twice cited Dubin’s award-winning Columbia Law Review article “Torquemada Meets Kafka” and adopted the article’s doctrinal label, “issue exhaustion,” and reasoning in its decision. He was also Counsel of Record for 56 law professors from 40 law schools as Amicus Curiae in the Supreme Court in Carr v. Saul, 141 S.Ct. 1352 (2021). 

Additionally, Dubin litigated and argued Sykes v. Apfel, 228 F.3d 259 (3rd Cir. 2000), which produced SSA “Acquiescence Ruling” (SSR 01-1(3)), agreeing to change policy and apply the Sykes case to thousands of disability claimants within the Third Circuit region annually. He has counseled or co-counseled a dozen other successful disability appeals in the circuits. 

Finally, Dubin is a recipient of NOSSCR’s Distinguished Service Award; has supplied solicited testimony to Congress on SS disability reform; served on the Administrative Conference of the United States, SS Disability Adjudication Project Working Group; and is an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. He is the author of Social Security Disability Law and The American Labor Market (NYU Academic Press 2021), and co-author of multiple SS disability law treatises and the first hardcover SS law casebook.

Maryjean has been representing Social Security Disability/SSI claimants since 2005, when she opened her own practice and became a Sustaining Member of NOSSCR. 

She represents claimants at all administrative levels and before the Federal District Court of New Jersey. 

She earned her law degree with honors from Seton Hall University Law School in 1996 and passed the New Jersey bar the same year. She is admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of New Jersey, and the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

In 2023, Maryjean was appointed by the NJ Supreme Court to the Committee on Character. The Committee on Character assists the Board of Bar Examiners in guiding the Supreme Court regarding the admission of attorneys in New Jersey. Additionally, she serves her community as a Member of the Sussex County, NJ Mental Health Board which promotes access to and availability of efficient, adequate, integrated health care services for children and adults with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. 

She is a member of the Sussex County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. 

Maryjean has provided Social Security Disability/SSI law training for attorneys locally and nationally and is currently writing a practice manual for James Publishing, Inc., tentatively titled Mental Disorders in Social Security Disability Practice, which is expected to be published in 2024.

Meghan Gallo works for GCC Law firm in Rogers, Arkansas, and also practices in Oklahoma and Missouri. For the past 13 years Meghan’s practice has focused on representing disabled individuals before the Social Security Administration and in Federal Court. Before moving to Arkansas, Meghan received her undergraduate business degree from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She then attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she was on the Dean’s List, earning her Juris Doctorate in 2010. She and her family reside in Rogers, Arkansas, and in her free time she and her husband are avid outdoorsmen and cavers. Meghan is also the proud parent of a disabled child.

Attorney William Chase Gore is a member of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault’s Mass Tort and Complex Litigation Group. His litigation focus includes products liability, toxic torts, aviation and industrial accidents, and cases involving wrongful death and serious personal injuries. Prior to working with our team, Chase’s practice focused on commercial and civil litigation matters including industrial accidents, product and premise liability, and motor vehicle accidents.

Chase graduated and received his Bachelor of Arts History with a minor in Political Science from Louisiana State University in 2014. While earning his Bachelor’s Degree, Chase worked as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Robert Adley at the Louisiana State Capitol. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU in 2017, where he was a 2015 Chancellor’s Scholar and received a CALI award in Coastal Areas Law. While attending law school, Chase was an Ethics Board member which adjudicated matters relating to violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and was admitted to Wex Malone Inns of Court for exceptional performance in the Trial Advocacy Program. While earning his Juris Doctorate, Chase completed an internship for Judge Jewel “Duke” Welch at the First Circuit Court of Appeals and an externship with Honorable Jay C. Zainey at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.

Away from the office, Chase enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristen, son Hank, and daughter Stella. He is an avid golfer who also enjoys hunting and fishing and is a sports fan for his alma mater LSU.

Professional Associations

• American Bar Association
• Louisiana Bar Association
• Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Alexandria Bar Association

Steve Goss has been Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration since 2001. Mr. Goss joined the Office of the Chief Actuary in 1973 after graduating from the University of Virginia with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree majoring in mathematics and economics. He has worked in areas related to health insurance and long-term-care insurance as well as pension, disability, and survivor protection. Mr. Goss is a member of the Society of Actuaries, the American Academy of Actuaries, the National Academy of Social Insurance, the Social Insurance Committee of the American Academy of Actuaries, and the Social Security Retirement and Disability Income Committee of the Society of Actuaries.

Diane Haar founded and operates Hawaii Disability Legal Services, LLLC, a private, public interest law firm with offices in Honolulu and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii focusing on representation and legal reform for the benefit of individuals with disabilities throughout the state of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Philippines, and some of the other Pacific countries. She represents those who have become gravely disabled, including veterans, homeless individuals, and others at the administrative level, in the Hawaii Federal District Court, the Court of Appeals of Veterans Claims, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for benefits from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. She recently finished a three-year term as a Hawaii Federal District Court Delegate, continues to serve on the Veterans Treatment Court Advisory Committee, the Hawaii Legislature’s Mental Health Task Force, and the board of the ARC in Hawaii, assists in interviewing and training Veterans Services Officers at the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, and regularly meets with Hawaii State and Federal Representatives on issues of interest and concern to the individuals she serves. She also testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding issues of importance to veterans and received the Eileen P. Sweeny award from NOSSCR in 2023. Diane additionally gives continuing legal education courses for the Hawaii State Bar Association, primarily in solo lawyering, leveraging technology, new advances in technology, cybersecurity, and ethics. Prior to her work in Social Security and Veterans Disability, Diane practiced war crimes litigation before the Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission in The Hague. Diane received her B.S. with Highest Honors from the University of California, Berkeley, and her M.P.H. and J.D. from Yale University. She is also barred in California, Nevada, and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

John V. Hogan began practicing Social Security law when employed by Niagara County (N.Y.) Legal Aid.  He was an Attorney Advisor in SSA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals from 1982 -1984, working first in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and then Atlanta, GA.  Since 1984 he has been in private practice in metro Atlanta and Northeast Georgia, representing clients throughout the country.  He formerly served as Co-chair of the Georgia Trial Lawyers’ Social Security section and served three terms on NOSSCR’s Board of Directors for the 11th Circuit.  Mr. Hogan was one of the first attorneys in the country representing disabled NFL players and was actively involved in improving their benefits, leading him to be appointed as Chair of the NFL Alumni Association’s Disability Advisory Committee in 2011. He has spoken at Sports Law Seminars at Duke Law School and Santa Clara Law School. He has also presented  at numerous NOSSCR conferences and the Georgia Bar’s Institute on Continuing Legal Education.

Jacqulyn Jones is an Attorney with the Terry Law Firm in Morristown, Tennessee, where she practices with her family. She is part of the third generation of lawyers in her family. Her firm is mainly a personal injury firm. Jacqulyn manages the Social Security Disability practice in their firm. 

She graduated from Nashville School of Law in 2010. She is licensed to practice in all State and Federal Courts in Tennessee. 

Jacqulyn is certified as a Social Security Disability Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. 

Locally, Jacqulyn is involved in the community by serving on the board of Ridin’ High Therapeutic Horse Riding program, dedicated to helping disabled individual and  Friends of Bethesda. 

Jacqulyn is married to Brad Jones, who is also an attorney. They have a daughter, Emery Claire, who keeps them very busy. Jacqulyn enjoys riding horses, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

David is the founding partner of Kapor Davis & Associates in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has over 40 years’ experience in helping disabled individuals and families. David is a recognized leader in this field of practice, having focused his career on improving understanding and advocacy in the area of disability law. In addition, David has served as Chairperson of the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Social Security Law Practice Committee for over 25 years.

Wes Kappelman has been practicing law since 2014, primarily working social security disability cases in federal court with attorneys in Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

Ira Kasdan is a partner in Washington, D.C. office of the national law firm of Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP, with more than 40 years of litigation experience. He has been lead counsel in several class actions against The Social Security Administration, including Greenberg v. Colvin in federal district court in the District of Columbia, which set the precedent for the award of Section 406(b) fees in class actions, and Steigerwald v. Berryhill, in the Northern District of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Kasdan is a member of the D.C. and Maryland bars and is admitted to practice in various Federal Circuit Courts around the country, as well as in The Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Kasdan is a graduate of Georgetown Law School where he served as an editor on the Georgetown Law Journal. His full bio and litigation experience is found at https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-People/Ira-T-Kasdan. Mr. Kasdan welcomes questions from NOSSCR members about his experience in litigating class actions against The Social Security Administration and may be reached at (202) 342-8864.

Esterien Keet has vast experience working with CRM software on an international level. She started her career as a production analyst and quickly expanded into key roles such as portfolio management, operations coordination for offices on four continents whilst being the CRM Manager and completing her final year of studies in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Esterien is originally from South Africa and has been living in the United States with her husband (who is also a South African) for three years. Her NOSSCR responsibilities include launching NOSSCR’s Advocacy Ambassador Program, engaging NOSSCR members in advocacy, management of all membership software and platforms, and CLE management.

Kevin S. Kerr has practiced in the area of Social Security Disability law since 2009 and is the senior partner at Kerr Robichaux and Carroll Law Office, which represents Claimants at all levels throughout the western states. He has personally appeared at over three thousand Social Security Administrative Law Judge hearings and has handled hundreds of appeals to Federal Court in Oregon and Washington and the Ninth Circuit. He also represents Veterans and is a member of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates. Kevin is a NOSSCR Board Member representing the Ninth Circuit and this is his seventh time presenting at the NOSSCR Conference with his partner, Sara Rose Carroll.

Tom Krause is NOSSCR’s first Litigation Director. Tom has represented claimants seeking disability benefits for more than 40 years. He started in 1982 with Legal Services Corp. of Iowa (now Iowa Legal Aid), representing clients on a variety of issues but focusing on Social Security Disability/SSI and Medicaid claims. Tom then spent 21 years in private practice, primarily handling federal court appeals of disability claims. From 2018 to December 2023, Tom was a Senior Attorney and Assistant Litigation Director for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). He has presented at numerous NOSSCR conferences, Eighth Circuit Disability Law conferences, and state bar meetings.

Carolyn A. Kubitschek, a member of the firm of Lansner & Kubitschek, a former board member of NOSSCR, and a current member of NOSSCR’s amicus committee, has practiced Social Security law since 1983. As a litigator, Ms. Kubitschek has handled or supervised numerous Social Security matters, including hundreds of cases in the District Courts and Courts of Appeals, class actions as well as individual claims for benefits. She has co-authored a number of NOSSCR amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court, including briefs in Smith v. Berryhill, 139 S.Ct. 1765 (2019) and Carr v. Saul, 141 S.Ct. 1352 (2021). Carolyn is co-author, with Jon Dubin, of Social Security Disability Law and Procedure in Federal Court, an 1100 page book published annually by Thomson Reuters, most recently in January, 2023. She has published numerous articles on Social Security law. She is a recipient of the NOSSCR Distinguished Service Award. Carolyn’s practice also includes advocating for children and families who are caught up in New York’s child welfare system, an organization which makes the Social Security Administration seem benevolent by contrast.

Barry C. LaBoda was originally admitted to The Florida Bar in 1979. He ran his own law office in Orlando for many years. He has also served as a Medicare Administrative Law Judge with Medicare’s Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and a Social Security Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration. He retired from the bench in 2020. He is now a partner with Culbertson, Jacobs & LaBoda, P.L.L.C.

Attorney Amber Laborde is a Deville, Louisiana native, and she and her husband have five children – one boy and four girls. They also have two dogs, one bunny, and a flock of chickens. An avid outdoorswoman, Amber enjoys camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and cooking for friends and family.

Prior to law school, Amber obtained her ADN from Louisiana State University Alexandria before obtaining her BSN at American Sentinel University. Amber continued to work full time while earning her Juris Doctor. She graduated Cum Laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2023. Amber’s clinical nursing foundation is in the intensive care unit caring for critically ill patients. She is experienced in both acute and long-term care, as well as infection prevention and healthcare case management. Amber has legal experience in both Mass Torts and Medical Malpractice, and began working for Neblett, Beard & Arsenault in the fall of 2023. Amber’s practice areas at our firm include Mass Torts and Social Security Disability.

When asked why she chose to pursue a career in law, Amber responded: “When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be an attorney and my original college major was pre-law. Life threw me some curveballs and I decided not to try law school. I chose nursing because I knew I would always be able to find a job in healthcare. I never stopped dreaming of law school and finally, the circumstances aligned to enable me to pursue my dream.”

Linda Landry is a senior attorney at the Disability Law Center (DLC), Boston, MA.  She focuses on Social Security benefit issues, as well as the related health benefits, MassHealth and Medicare.  She has over 35 years of experience in legal advocacy in these areas, which has included individual representation, training, policy work, class action litigation, and technical assistance to a statewide project of attorneys and advocates. She writes and presents on a variety of topics for local and national audiences. She is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and worked at Neighborhood Legal Services in the 1980s before coming to DLC.  She received the NOSSCR Distinguished Service Award in 2006.

Kevin is a Tulane Law graduate who has represented clients in Social Security Disability cases for over 25 years.  He received the Eileen P. Sweeney award for distinguished service from NOSSCR in 2018. He currently works at Legal Services of New Jersey, a not-for-profit Legal Aid group that provides free legal help to many people who otherwise could not afford it.  Kevin’s work also involves writing articles on disability-related topics, training other attorneys and advocates, and policy work. When Kevin is not doing legal work or spending time with family, he enjoys writing songs and performing music.

Michael is one of the nation's top attorneys practicing social security disability law. Since founding Liner Legal in 2013, Michael has helped his clients obtain billions of dollars in Social Security benefits through vigorous representation and unmatched customer service. While Michael loves being an attorney, his passion for helping those in need fuels his drive to provide a client experience that exceeds that of any other law firm in America.
Michael's decision to pursue a career as a disability attorney was inspired by his childhood. From a young age, he knew what it felt like to be labeled as "different" because he was sent to, and later expelled from, a school for children with attention and behavior problems. Michael also dealt with a range of neurological disorders including epilepsy and motor tic syndrome. Fortunately, with help and support from his family and mentors, he used his challenges to his advantage - ultimately creating a company allowing him to help those struggling with situations and experiences similar to his own. 

Michael serves on numerous community and non-profit boards. He loves speaking and writing about the nuances of disability law and service-oriented legal practices. He is the host of two podcasts, the Triple D Podcast: Donuts, Disability and Discourse as well as Bonus Bytes.

Mark Maher is a Staff Attorney in the Supplemental Security Income Unit at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.  While his practice focuses on initial applications, he represents low-income children and adults at every stage of the SSI process.  He also advocates about systemic Social Security benefit issues on state and national levels.

Meredith E. Marcus is a senior associate with Daley Disability Law, P.C. where she focuses her practice on Social Security Disability Law but likewise expanded to areas including ERISA and Long-Term Disability Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits, Veterans Affairs and Vaccine Law.  She received her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and her J.D. degree from UIC Law (formerly known as John Marshall Law School), graduating cum laude.  Ms. Marcus previously served as the chair of the Social Security Committee for the Chicago Bar Association and the Director at Large for the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR). Ms. Marcus is admitted to practice in Illinois and Michigan.  She has litigated cases in many districts throughout the nation since 2010 and is licensed in the Sixth and Seventh U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.  She litigated Biestek v. Berryhill, 880 F. 3d 778 (2018) in the Sixth Circuit and consulted on the case for the Supreme Court.  Ms. Marcus is named as a Leading Lawyer and Super Lawyer for 2024.  She has previously lectured for the State Bar of Michigan Social Security Lawyers Section, National Business Institute, American Bar Association, NADR and NOSSCR.  In her spare time, Marcus is the new editor for Tom Bush’s book, Social Security Disability Practice, published by James Publishing and enjoys keeping busy with her three young children and husband in the Chicago suburbs.

Mr. Mitzner has practiced law since 1987 and specializes in all matters disability; Social Security, Teacher’s, Railroad and Long Term Disability/ERISA. He has successfully litigated and won over 30,000 disability agency cases and filed over 2000 Federal Court and 10th Circuit Appeals. A frequent speaker for continuing education regionally and nationally, he received the highest award conferred by the Oklahoma Bar Association for his lifetime contribution to the continuing legal education of Oklahoma attorneys. Married since 1980 to high school sweetheart Ronda, formerly in dentistry, their two sons are spectacular stars in their orbit, both exceptionally scholastically awarded and even better lawyers. But, they are mostly proud to be called grands to Their Excellencies: Duke, Eli, Boston and Banks.

Mr. Mitzner became a lawyer knowing he would spend his life helping the disabled—whether helping clients navigate the system or fighting the Social Security Administration’s denials of truly disabled folks who deserve their hard-earned benefits. As a partner at his firm, Mr. Mitzner oversees operations with the agency and primarily handles the Firm’s work in Federal Courts in many states across the country. Mr. Mitzner is a member of the NOSSCR and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University School of Law. He received all of his law school writing awards while matriculating. He was a college scholarship basketball player and loves Taylor his wife and sons Boston and Banks. He is an avid golfer.

Barbara was born and raised in Cottonport, LA, a small French Catholic town in Avoyelles Parish. Cottonport is known for its annual Egg Knocking Contest, which attracts people from across the State. Barbara fondly remembers her childhood there, where many of the residents spoke French. She is the oldest of 46 grandchildren and grew up surrounded by a large family that loved to tell (often greatly exaggerated) stories.

She attended Cottonport High School. After graduating from LSU, as a woman was discouraged from applying for or attending law school. But nonetheless she persisted and was accepted to the Paul M. Hebert School of Law. During the summer months, she clerked for the Knoll Law Firm and worked with the now retired Supreme Court Justice Jeannette Knoll who served as a role model to her. Barbara earned her Juris Doctorate degree in 1978, making her one of the first women in Avoyelles Parish to finish law school.

That same year, Barbara married Mark Mixon of Bunkie, LA, and together they have three children: Luke, Emily, and Molly, and 5 grandchildren. Her husband Mark is a fourth-generation sugar cane farmer and through him she learned never to take anything, especially the weather, for granted. Luke, the eldest, is a Navy pilot. She, her husband, two daughters and daughter in law are all LSU graduates with her granddaughter scheduled to graduate in May. They share a love of LSU and enjoy tailgating at LSU games together.

After marrying Mark, Barbara began working at the Social Security Administration’s hearing office, which is the adjudicatory branch of the Social Security disability program. For 21 years, she worked there as a supervisor of 16 attorneys and paralegals. She left to go into private practice, and in 2013 she began working as an attorney at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault.

“Since coming to NBA, I have grown this area of practice [Social Security Disability] and have come to know and care for a great many of my clients,” says Barbara. She has seen clients struggle, unable to afford basic necessities through no fault of their own. She has a deep empathy for her clients and has dedicated her life’s work to guiding people through the often-difficult process of Social Security Disability. In the thirty-three years she has practiced law, Barbara has assisted thousands of individuals in obtaining their benefits in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. She is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association and the Avoyelles and Rapides Parish Bar Associations. She is a member to two local women’s political organizations.

Marissa is 19-year attorney licensed in Florida, California, U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  Marissa earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences at Towson State University in Towson, Maryland and earned her legal degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California.   In her first 10 years of practicing law, Marissa worked in the private sector in various areas of law which included Social Security Disability.  In 2016, Marissa moved to the non-profit sector with Community Legal Services (CLS).  Marissa currently is the Manager of Public Interest & Public Benefits at CLS through which she assists clients with matters related to Veterans Benefits, Social Security Benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP). 

As Government Relations Director, Betsy Osborn works to promote NOSSCR’s legislative priorities and strengthen NOSSCR’s relationships with state and federal government officials. Betsy brings extensive experience in government affairs, having helped corporations, coalitions, non-profit groups and associations advance their interests with Members of Congress, Federal agencies, and other key policy stakeholders. Most recently, Betsy worked for United Spinal Association advocating for wheelchair users, including veterans with disabilities. Betsy began her career on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) handling, among other things, Social Security policy.

Sarah E. White Park is a partner with the firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley and Hinson, in Macon, Georgia.   She obtained her JD from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 2005, and she lives in Macon with her husband Brannen Park and twin daughters Hadden and Mary Stuart. 

She earned a BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia in 2002.  She has practiced Social Security law since 2011 and began practicing Social Security law after working as a decision writer for the OHO in Macon, Georgia.   She is also accredited by the VA and represents veterans. 

She was awarded the AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, named a Rising Star as a Social Security lawyer by Super Lawyers of Georgia in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and selected as a Super Lawyer for 2024.  She currently serves as the Immediate Past President for NOSSCR, President of the Middle Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, and President-Elect of the Macon Bar Association.

Steve Perrigo, J.D. serves as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, for Allsup, one of the nation's largest Social Secuity disability advocacy firms. Steve joined Allsup in 2010 following 17 years with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in various roles of increasing responsibility, including Claims Representative, Technical Expert, Operations Supervisor, and Assistant District Manager.

Steve leads Allsup’s national account sales activities and provides consultative guidance to client companies by analyzing complex data sets that compare performance against historical measures, Allsup’s business results, and industry benchmarks. His consultation includes leveraging his prior experience with the SSA to identify and analyze macro-level trends with the Social Security Disability Insurance program, and providing timely insights and client updates through channels such as Allsup’s blog.

Steve’s educational background includes a law degree from the Nashville School of Law, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class, and a bachelor’s degree from The State University of New York. He is an adjunct professor of Social Security Disability Law at the Nashville School of Law and is a solo practitioner dedicated exclusively to Social Security Disability.

Alan H. Polonsky is a partner in the law firm of Polonsky & Polonsky. Since 1989 his practice has been focused on Social Security and Supplemental Security income, handling cases in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, through all phases, including appeals to Federal District Court. 

Prior to his current practice, he worked for the Social Security Administration from 1978 to 1988 as an Attorney Advisor, primarily writing decisions for Administrative Law Judges. Mr. Polonsky has appeared on TV on Law Journal, when the topic is Social Security and is a frequent lecturer to other lawyers on Social Security Disability matters for, among others, New Jersey ICLE, Child Support Conference, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). He received his B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1972, his J.D. degree from Delaware Law School in 1975, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University in 1983. 

Mr. Polonsky is a member of the Camden County Bar Association, Past Member of the Board of Directors and Trustee of NOSSCR, Past President of NOSSCR, and a member of the New Jersey, United States District Court, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court Bars.

Dan Rudloff is a practicing attorney in Bowling Green, Ky, where he has been in private practice since 1994.

He engages in a general practice, which includes a growing Social Security practice.

He has been voted “Best of Bowling Green” attorney several times and has twice served as the Board Chair for the Bowling Green City Board of Ethics.

He earned his BA in economics from Centre College in 1988 and his JD from Mississippi College in 1994. He is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and in the federal courts of the Western District of Kentucky and regularly handles Social Security cases in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Attorney Sappenfield is a social security disability and veteran's disability compensation attorney for Lanier Law Group based out of Greensboro, North Carolina. She is the rising Chair of the Disability Advocacy Section of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) and is a board member of the National Organization for Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). She takes cases from initial application up to the Appeals Council. When not working, Attorney Sappenfield enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.

Debra Shifrin has over 40 years of experience representing the disabled before the Social Security Administration and in Federal Court.  Debra is a graduate of American University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.  In October 2022, she merged her practice with Liner Legal.  Debra is a past president of NOSSCR and likes to stay involved with the organization advocating for our clients.

Based near Annapolis, Maryland, Andrew Sindler, Esq. has nearly 20 years experience passionately and successfully representing local and national claimants seeking social security disability benefits. Andrew’s broad range of expertise includes all types of SSDI/SSI claims, including childhood SSI and Disabled Adult Child claims, overpayments and resource appeals, blindness and disability freeze recomputations.

Andrew always zealously advocates for his clients at every administrative stage, including filing the initial application, appealing to the reconsideration level, appearing at hearings, and filing requests for review by the highest administrative body, the Appeals Council. Where necessary, he also pursues appeals to the judicial level in the Federal Courts. Being an attorney uniquely capable and willing to “go the distance” to get claimants the benefits they deserve is what gives Andrew the most career and personal satisfaction.

Andrew generously makes himself available to communicate with his clients to ensure that they are well informed- that their questions and concerns are thoroughly answered and addressed. He has given instructional presentations to his colleagues in his local community, posted information-filled webcasts online for individuals seeking disability benefits and recently created a Youtube channel with informational videos for everyone to better understand the complex SSD process.

Andrew has deservedly gained a reputation with his clients and his professional peers as a high quality provider of Social Security Disability legal services and regularly receives referrals from numerous sources all over the country. He also regularly mentors younger and less experienced attorneys learning this important area of law. His professional excellence and personal charm continue to benefit those in need of legal representation as they fight to obtain life-sustaining benefits.

In addition to his work as an attorney and a mediator, Andrew also serves as a part-time adjunct law professor at his alma mater, University of Baltimore School of Law, as well as at Community College of Baltimore County. He is happily married with two beautiful daughters. When he is not busy fighting for his disability clients, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, playing golf and other sports, cheering on the Orioles and Ravens, listening to music and playing piano and guitar, watching movies and TV shows, and attending theatre.

Stephen Sloan received his undergraduate degrees from the University of North Texas in 2007 and his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015. His primary focus during his law school education was in the areas of public interest and healthcare law. In addition to volunteering for multiple legal aid projects, he worked at the school’s legal clinic in the areas of vaccine injury and Social Security disability. Mr. Sloan has worked with Daley Disability Law since 2014 where he initially started as a law clerk and now concentrates exclusively in the area of Social Security disability law practice with experience at both the administrative and federal court levels of review, participating in hundreds of hearings, briefing hundreds of district court cases across the country, and arguing cases in front of both the Sixth and Seventh Circuit Appellate Courts. He has participated in speaking engagements for NOSSCR, NADR, NBI, the Chicago Bar Association, and others. Mr. Sloan is a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2018-present) and was the 2019- 2020 chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Social Security Committee. He is currently an active member and co-chair for NOSSCR's NextGen Committee.

Michelle Spadafore is the Senior Supervising Attorney and Project Director of NYLAG’s Disability Advocacy Project. She previously worked at the AIDS Center of Queens County, a community-based nonprofit organization that provides services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Her background includes Social Security law, access to public benefits, and consumer credit issues. She has been involved in a number of impact litigation cases focused on improving SSA’s handling of non-disability appeals including Amin v. Kijakazi, Ershteyn v. Berryhill, and Campos v. Kijakazi. She is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley and New York Law School.

Russell Squire is a Senior Attorney in the Economic Justice Unit at SMRLS, where he has practiced since October 2017. He represents clients on a wide range of issues including public benefits, criminal expungements, and occupational licensing. Russell has been responsible for cleaning up Tom’s messes since he left SMRLS.

Rob is an Associate Attorney at Daley Disability Law where he represents numerous clients at both administrative hearings and in referrals for appeals in U.S. District Courts and Court of Appeal throughout the country. He graduated from DePaul Law School in Chicago and from Colby College in Waterville, Maine with a degree in American Studies and Literature. Rob has presented on Social Security practice in general at NOSSCR conferences, the National Business Institute,  the Chicago Bar Association, and has co-authored presentations on Individaul Education Plans and Environmental Justice for Loyola College of Law’s Children’s Legal Rights Journal Symposium. He has interned as a clerk at the Northern District Court of Illinois and Daley Circuit Court in Chicago, and he has taught in the Chicago Public School system. Prior to becoming an attorney, Rob wasa a hip-hop musician for fifteen years, producing four albums, touring the country anad world, leading college workshops about the significance of hip- hop culture and he he worked for a number of political campaigns, including voter protection in Wester Pennsylvania in 2009. He still occassionally peforms music as well as practices in civil court.

Aleyda has been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities for over 20 years. Prior to her current position at Cornell, she represented clients in mediations and hearings in the area of Social Security work incentives, vocational rehabilitation, special education, California Regional Center services and Medi-Cal. Her passion to help clients through the employment continuum led her to the world of work incentives counseling. Most recently she was the project manager and work incentives counselor through the federally funded WIPA project at Disability Rights California. Aleyda joined Cornell in 2023 where she provides work incentives training, technical assistance and support at the Yang Tang Institute.

Debora Wagner spent 25 years working with legal services and law school clinical programs. Throughout her career, she has presented on benefits issues, including post-entitlement and return to work issues for attorneys, vocational rehabilitation professionals, agency staff, individuals with disabilities, and their families. From 2016-2022, she led the statewide network of work incentives training and technical assistance for benefits planners in Ohio.

In December 2021, Debora joined the Cornell staff, where she continues to provide work incentives training and technical assistance. She also designed and teaches a credential course on Work Incentive Planning for Veterans.

Laura Beth Waller is NOSSCR’s Chief Strategy Officer. Previously, as a member of NOSSCR’s Board of Directors she represented the Fourth Circuit and served on the Executive Committee as Assistant Treasurer. She was instrumental in many aspects of NOSSCR’s recent transition and growth. She led NOSSCR’s Next Gen committee, increasing the number of members participating, adding several successful events. She is a frequent presenter on federal court advocacy, and regularly attends meetings and social events with members of congress in Washington DC. Before taking the role of NOSSCR’s CSO, Laura Beth practiced in district court work at Martin, Jones, and Piemonte. She earned her J.D. at NCCU School of Law and her LL.M. in taxation at the University of Washington. She is admitted to practice in North Carolina, Washington, and Georgia.