I grew up in Sacramento and graduated from Rio Americano High School. I graduated magna cum laude from UC Berkeley in an honors program and from UCLA Law School. During law school I was an extern for a federal judge in the Eastern District here in Sacramento. Since law school I have practiced here in the field of Social Security law, but in the earlier years of my practice handled a wide range of other legal cases also; my legal experience is particularly broad. I have handled criminal and civil jury trials, even adversary trials in bankruptcy court; I have handled civil rights and wrongful termination cases, real estate litigation, and both civil and criminal appeals. As my practice came to focus on disability cases, I began handling employer-provided and private disability claims (which usually involve opposing insurance companies) and government disability-retirement cases, as well.
Unlike many Social Security lawyers, I appeal all appropriate cases to the Appeals Council and federal court, and accept new cases for these advanced appeals, including from other lawyers. Although multiple, case-specific factors must be considered when deciding whether to appeal further, I do not feel it is appropriate for lawyers to abandon or hand-off Social Security clients after an unfavorable hearing decision. Also, only someone with an extensive federal court practice will truly know the law in this field.
I am admitted in all California state courts and in the federal courts of the Eastern District, Northern District, Central District, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Unlike many Social Security lawyers, I appeal all appropriate cases to the Appeals Council and federal court, and accept new cases for these advanced appeals, including from other lawyers. Although multiple, case-specific factors must be considered when deciding whether to appeal further, I do not feel it is appropriate for lawyers to abandon or hand-off Social Security clients after an unfavorable hearing decision. Also, only someone with an extensive federal court practice will truly know the law in this field.
I am admitted in all California state courts and in the federal courts of the Eastern District, Northern District, Central District, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
