Kathleen Marie Flynn

Our Decatur, GA disability law firm, located in the Atlanta area, is dedicated exclusively to social security disability law. We have successfully assisted thousands of disabled adults and children with the frustrating process of obtaining Supplemental Security Income (SSI, Title XVI); Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI, Title II, DIB); Disabled Adult Child benefits (DAC); and Widows or Widowers benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). In selecting our disability law firm for representation, you will have the benefit of 28 years of expertise from two social security attorneys, including experience with the Social Security Administration (SSA) writing hearing decisions for Administrative Law Judges at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). After helping veterans obtain social security disability benefits for years, our disability attorneys became certified to assist veterans with claims before the Veterans Administration. Our disability attorneys and staff file applications, requests for reconsideration, requests for hearings, and attend hearings before Administrative Law Judges at Offices of Adjudication and Review (ODARs) throughout GA and at out of state ODARs when clients move. We file Request for Reviews of unfavorable ALJ decisions, and our disability firm also pursues cases of merit in US District Court. I worked as a Legal Aid attorney on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, was a decision writer for Administrative Law Judges at the Charlottesville, VA, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (Hearing Office), was an associate at a law firm handling social security disability cases exclusively and have been the owner of a private disability practice since 2003.

Tulane University School of Law

J.D. | Law

1988 - 1991

Activities: Public Interest Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, and Juvenile Law Clinic

Bucknell University

B.A. | International Relations, English, French

1982 - 1986

Honors: cum laude

Activities: Wrote features articles for school newspaper, French society, and sorority member

Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

1995 - 1997

Wrote social security disability decisions for 5 Administrative Law Judges in the Charlottesville, VA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR)

Veterans benefits

Veterans Administration

National Association of Social Security Representatives

Member

Current

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

member

2009 - Current

GABWA

Member

2009 - Current

GAWL (Female Attorneys organization)

Member

2007 - Current

Cobb Bar Association

Member

2002 - Current

District of Columbia

Since 1994

Georgia

Since 2001

Virginia

Since 1992

11th Circuit

Since 2002

• Contingent Fees
  Standard fee of 25 percent of back benefits or $6,000, whichever is less. No fee unless you win

• Veterans benefits

Q. Can I represent myself in a case against Social Security ?

February 5, 2021

A: At the initial and reconsideration, I would say yes to this question, as an Adjudicator at DAS in GA or DDS in other states is assigned to your social security disability case and is required to obtain your medical records. You could always call the Adjudicator to ask if the medical records are received. However, I just met with a client who did represent herself at these two levels, but the Adjudicator did not get medical records from her child's therapist who comes to the house weekly. In this case, a conscientious attorney would make sure all your documentation is submitted to the Adjudicator.

As far as representing yourself at a hearing, I would have recommended this when nationwide approval rates were 60 percent or higher with Administrative Law Judges (ALJ). However, we have some ALJs who grant 30 percent or less of all cases that come before them. Because we appeal to the Office of Appellate Operations (formerly the Appeals Council) and to US District Court, a well developed file and thorough presentation of all your mental and medical impairments, as well as limitations and activities of daily living are important for a good transcript should you have to appeal. Although the Office of Hearings and Operations are supposed to obtain all your medical records, this does not always happen due to the volume of cases they are handling.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our disability attorneys and staff at 404-479-4431 or visit our website at www.kathleenflynnlaw.com ... Read More