Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law

I Never Give Up Until You Get The Benefits You Deserve

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law

I Never Give Up Until You Get The Benefits You Deserve

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

Firm Overview

I moved back to San Francisco in 1992 and began working for a woman who had a Social Security Disability practice. I purchased the practice from her three years later. I had never been exposed to Social Security Disability before, but I worked well with the clientele and could understand them, as I have a sister who is mentally ill. I treat my clients with the utmost respect and I do everything I can to help with their Social Security Disability claims. We also do Probate Law.

Example cases

I have completed thousands of cases for clients dealing with problems from chronic and severe back problems to chronic and severe mental health issues.

Main Office

Main
1500 W. Shaw Avenue
Suite 403
Fresno, CA 93711

Phone

(559) 244-0164

Fax

(559) 244-0163

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, definitely.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

It's a statutory fee: 25% of total back pay up to $5,300.

Hourly Rates

Social Security is based on a contingency-fee basis only.

Office Information
Office Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Office Manager

Leo Pumerajo

Emergency After Hours

No

Languages Spoken

Leo Pumerajo, Jesus Tena & Beatrice Vanlenzuela speak Spanish.

SSDI

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

I just kind of fell into Social Security by accident, needing a job out of college, and it turned out to be perfect for my personality and beliefs. I feel like I am really helping people in a much more direct way, by giving people things like housing & medical care.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

This is very important and significant for Social Security and helps clients to understand what I have to prove for their case - there are very different and much higher standards that we have to prove, and the client should understand these different standards. This is helpful to the whole process. I am a strong believer in the client knowing how and why I do certain things, and that they should understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case. In doing this, they know what to expect and that there are alternatives afterwards. I always let clients know that they need a back up plan.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Definitely. I think it's important for my clients to have witness letters from spouses, family friends, and caretakers and have this additional documentation which is very significant in this area of practice.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am apprehensive about this. I have, in the past, suggested that a client may not need me if they have a strong case and can simply send in the paperwork themselves, but I have to be wary of malpractice issues.

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law
Melissa Anne Proudian

I worked for another solo practitioner in 1992 after law school and basically helped run her office during her absence. I learned a lot on my own, but had other attorneys to turn to for assistance. I worked for her for 3 years and then decided to buy her practice.

Probably the fact that my mom and dad have always encouraged me to do the absolute best I can, no matter how small the activity. This has transferred from my education to my professional life. I always try to put myself in my client's shoes and try to think about their point of view. I try to never be "aloof" or "arrogant".

My clients are not afraid to talk to me, and I try to make them comfortable with me so that I may ask them personal information that is important to the case.

I am very tenacious. When there is an issue and I feel the decision is not correct, I will not give up until I feel that the result is fair and should have been the result initially. I can do all of this while keeping a sense of humor.

Personal interests:

I really love animals and have 2 poodles - they help me to relieve stress. I love to go into my garden and plant after a stressful day. I love well-made films, poetry, being around people, my friends, and family.

License

Bar Number: 158211
California, 1992

Education

Hastings College School of Law
J.D., 1991

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law
Melissa Anne Proudian

I worked for another solo practitioner in 1992 after law school and basically helped run her office during her absence. I learned a lot on my own, but had other attorneys to turn to for assistance. I worked for her for 3 years and then decided to buy her practice.

Probably the fact that my mom and dad have always encouraged me to do the absolute best I can, no matter how small the activity. This has transferred from my education to my professional life. I always try to put myself in my client's shoes and try to think about their point of view. I try to never be "aloof" or "arrogant".

My clients are not afraid to talk to me, and I try to make them comfortable with me so that I may ask them personal information that is important to the case.

I am very tenacious. When there is an issue and I feel the decision is not correct, I will not give up until I feel that the result is fair and should have been the result initially. I can do all of this while keeping a sense of humor.

Personal interests:

I really love animals and have 2 poodles - they help me to relieve stress. I love to go into my garden and plant after a stressful day. I love well-made films, poetry, being around people, my friends, and family.

License

Bar Number: 158211
California, 1992

Education

Hastings College School of Law J.D., 1991


Firm Overview

I moved back to San Francisco in 1992 and began working for a woman who had a Social Security Disability practice. I purchased the practice from her three years later. I had never been exposed to Social Security Disability before, but I worked well with the clientele and could understand them, as I have a sister who is mentally ill. I treat my clients with the utmost respect and I do everything I can to help with their Social Security Disability claims. We also do Probate Law.

Example cases

I have completed thousands of cases for clients dealing with problems from chronic and severe back problems to chronic and severe mental health issues.

Main Office

Main
1500 W. Shaw Avenue
Suite 403
Fresno, CA 93711

Phone

(559) 244-0164

Fax

(559) 244-0163

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, definitely.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

It's a statutory fee: 25% of total back pay up to $5,300.

Hourly Rates

Social Security is based on a contingency-fee basis only.

Office Information
Office Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Office Manager

Leo Pumerajo

Emergency After Hours

No

Languages Spoken

Leo Pumerajo, Jesus Tena & Beatrice Vanlenzuela speak Spanish.

SSDI

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

I just kind of fell into Social Security by accident, needing a job out of college, and it turned out to be perfect for my personality and beliefs. I feel like I am really helping people in a much more direct way, by giving people things like housing & medical care.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

This is very important and significant for Social Security and helps clients to understand what I have to prove for their case - there are very different and much higher standards that we have to prove, and the client should understand these different standards. This is helpful to the whole process. I am a strong believer in the client knowing how and why I do certain things, and that they should understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case. In doing this, they know what to expect and that there are alternatives afterwards. I always let clients know that they need a back up plan.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Definitely. I think it's important for my clients to have witness letters from spouses, family friends, and caretakers and have this additional documentation which is very significant in this area of practice.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am apprehensive about this. I have, in the past, suggested that a client may not need me if they have a strong case and can simply send in the paperwork themselves, but I have to be wary of malpractice issues.

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law
Melissa Anne Proudian

I worked for another solo practitioner in 1992 after law school and basically helped run her office during her absence. I learned a lot on my own, but had other attorneys to turn to for assistance. I worked for her for 3 years and then decided to buy her practice.

Probably the fact that my mom and dad have always encouraged me to do the absolute best I can, no matter how small the activity. This has transferred from my education to my professional life. I always try to put myself in my client's shoes and try to think about their point of view. I try to never be "aloof" or "arrogant".

My clients are not afraid to talk to me, and I try to make them comfortable with me so that I may ask them personal information that is important to the case.

I am very tenacious. When there is an issue and I feel the decision is not correct, I will not give up until I feel that the result is fair and should have been the result initially. I can do all of this while keeping a sense of humor.

Personal interests:

I really love animals and have 2 poodles - they help me to relieve stress. I love to go into my garden and plant after a stressful day. I love well-made films, poetry, being around people, my friends, and family.

License

Bar Number: 158211
California, 1992

Education

Hastings College School of Law
J.D., 1991

Melissa A. Proudian, Attorney At Law
Melissa Anne Proudian

I worked for another solo practitioner in 1992 after law school and basically helped run her office during her absence. I learned a lot on my own, but had other attorneys to turn to for assistance. I worked for her for 3 years and then decided to buy her practice.

Probably the fact that my mom and dad have always encouraged me to do the absolute best I can, no matter how small the activity. This has transferred from my education to my professional life. I always try to put myself in my client's shoes and try to think about their point of view. I try to never be "aloof" or "arrogant".

My clients are not afraid to talk to me, and I try to make them comfortable with me so that I may ask them personal information that is important to the case.

I am very tenacious. When there is an issue and I feel the decision is not correct, I will not give up until I feel that the result is fair and should have been the result initially. I can do all of this while keeping a sense of humor.

Personal interests:

I really love animals and have 2 poodles - they help me to relieve stress. I love to go into my garden and plant after a stressful day. I love well-made films, poetry, being around people, my friends, and family.

License

Bar Number: 158211
California, 1992

Education

Hastings College School of Law J.D., 1991


This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.

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This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.