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Melissa Anne Proudian

Melissa Anne Proudian

1551 E. Shaw Ave
Suite 159
Fresno, CA 93710

Phone: (559) 244-0164  |  Fax: (559) 244-0163

Contact Melissa Anne Proudian

I Never Give Up Until You Get The Benefits You Deserve

Legal Topic

Government & Environment

Preferred New Clients

I prefer to work with people who are motivated to do the things I ask of them in terms of staying in regular medical treatment and staying in touch with my office regularly so that our information is always up-to-date. I also prefer to work with those who have really tried and are not getting fair representation, despite having followed all of the steps.

Sub-Categories

Social Security
  • DAC (Disabled Adult Child Benefits)
  • DWB (Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits)
  • Individual Disability
  • SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Bar Admissions

CA, Jun 1992
Bar Number: 158211

Other Court Admissions

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
California Supreme Court
Eastern District of California

Association Memberships

California State Bar
Fresno County Bar

Continuing Education

I gave a workshop with other professionals and counselors from Fresno County Mental Health, focused on Social Security & Worker's Comp., for Lorman Education Services: "Law for Social Workers, Counselors and Other Helping Professionals in California" (6/18/00).

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.

Education

Degree:

J.D.

School:

Hastings College School of Law

City:

San Francisco

State:

CA

Year:

1991

Honors:

Moot Court Competition in Las Vegas

Focus and Accomplishments:

I was focused on Family Law & Litigation. I was also selected for the National Appellate Advocacy Competition in the spring of 1990.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

California

Firm Focus and History

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.

Previous Employment Summary

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.

Activities and Awards

None

What is your opinion 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.

Are you 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.

Are you 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.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I decided to be an attorney when I was 9 years old, and I have always been goal-orientated. It's a profession that suits my personality and from that age on I focused my whole life toward it. I aimed my future in getting into the best school that I could.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

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".

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

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 do you like best about your career?

I like the fact that I have flexibility. I'm not chained to a desk and go to administrative law hearings and work with administrative law judges. I get to be in and out of the office, in court, and meet with clients often. I enjoy that I work with very interesting people, from clients to judges, etc., and deal with interesting issues. I have also learned fascinating information about medical issues.

Tell us about your law firm:

I have Jesus, my legal assistant, who has worked for me for 2 1/2 years. He is a go-getter, has put himself through his undergraduate education, and is in his first year of law school. I am lucky to have him as he is great with clients and great with getting medical records in a timely manner.

Leo worked for Social Security for over 12 years. He has a lot of experience and is able to contact the right people in Social Security. He gets responses, is very knowledgeable about the process, is very personable with my clients, and is very caring.

Beatrice is a secretary that works with me and helps me at the hearing office. When I have cases back-to-back, she helps me verify all of the records and numbers my files, and is also great with clients and their issues. She will sometimes sit with the child claimants while the parents are in court testifying.

What are your strengths and style?

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.

Office Manager/Assistant

Leo Pumerajo

Fax

(559) 244-0163

Office Hours

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

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

Leo Pumerajo, Jesus Tena & Beatrice Vanlenzuela speak Spanish.

Fixed-Price Services and 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.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, definitely.

Typical Retainer

We have no retainer as it is based on a contingency-fee basis. Retainers only apply to the probate part of our practice.

Understanding Fees

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