What a nice surprise it was to get a (misspelled) mention in the Colorado Springs Gazette this morning!

The annual event was held by the El Paso County Bar Association in honor of Law Day, which officially falls on May 1. …

One woman learned that her deferred sentence in a criminal matter would not be part of her criminal record if she meets the terms the judge laid out.

“She was elated,” said Tomacz Stasiuk, who runs his own firm.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hello! This was a terrific experience.

via People with legal needs flock to the mall | Colorado Springs Gazette.

If you are in the Colorado Springs area, come on down to the Citadel Mall.  There will be a table set up by Dillards between 10am – 4pm.

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I had a great time volunteering for the 2008 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) lockup.  

It is not too late to make a donation, just click here.

I was recently having trouble getting my local Social Security office to process some Social Security forms. After multiple attempts to resolve the problem via telephone and mail, I simply went down to the local Social Security office on Academy Boulevard.

The counter person was polite, but ultimately got tired of dealing with me because I would not leave the documents to be processed “later.”

So, I was told to sit down and wait, someone would get to me “later.” When I asked if someone would see me before Social Security closed, I was told again to just have a seat. The discussion was getting heated and the security guard was starting to circle my position.

Rather than risk being arrested, I sat down. I did not hold out much hope. I figured the counter attendant was just punishing me for being demanding. I would probably have to sit there all day, and then be told to leave when closing time rolled around. But I was determined, so I sat and reviewed cases I had .

In case you are thinking, “But you are an attorney! Don’t lawyers get better treatment?” The short answer is, no, we do not get treated any better than anyone else. We know the system and we know the rules and can help you show how your case fits into a rule that may get you approved. But, when it comes to going down to a Social Security office, we get treated just the same as everyone else.

Back to the story… After about and hour and a half, I was called back. Rosina M., one of the claims representatives, met with me and reviewed the paperwork that had not been processed. By the time I left, everything was on the right track.

There are a number of very helpful and dedicated people working at Social Security (if you can just get their attention).

Thank you Rosina M. for your help!

I had a blast at the 2008 Ask-A-Lawyer last weekend at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello.

Here is a shot of me and Virginia at the table, and that is my boy doing the robot next to me.

I recently had a opportunity to confer with Paul Radosevich, a Denver attorney who practices Social Security, Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law. I regularly see Paul’s name in the NOSSCR newsletter related to the Social Security cases he has taken to federal court. If you exhaust the administrative appeals, you may need an attorney like Paul to help you fight your case in federal court.

I was impressed with his thorough analysis, and I appreciate that that he took time out of his busy day to discuss a particularly difficult case.

One of the great things about working in the area of Social Security disability is the camaraderie among practitioners. In some practice areas, attorney’s are very protective about what they know.

Disability attorneys are always willing to pass along their knowledge and help a claimant get his or her disability benefits.

Thank you Paul.