Government & Environment

I prefer to work with clients who have filed for disability benefits, but will consult and represent people who are considering applying for benefits.

• Hearings & Adjudication

OR, Apr 1977
Bar Number: 77023

Since 1985, I have focused my practice primarily on representing the disabled before the Social Security Administration, in administrative hearings in Portland and in the Oregon District of the U.S. Federal Court, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Oregon Bar Association
Multnomah County Bar Association
Clackamas County Bar Association

I meet or exceed the requirements of the Oregon State Bar Association for Continuing Legal Education of 45 hours every three years, including six Legal Ethics hours. Many of my continuing education hours are from the semi-annual conferences of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives and the local Oregon Social Security Claimant's Representative group.

I regularly represent individuals whose claims for benefits have been denied by the Social Security Administration. Many of my clients are struggling with serious health problems and are trying to cope with pain and mental health problems. Financial pressures mount because they are unable to work. During my many years of practicing law, I have had extensive contact with local mental health agencies and social service agencies which have helped me understand many of the problems my clients are going through. My office's role is to help my clients get through a frequently cruel and indifferent system that is much more willing to deny than to approve. I treat each case individually and every case seriously. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of people to obtain disability benefits. My goal is to work side-by-side with my client so that together we form an effective team that gets the benefits that my clients deserve.

1

Oregon

My Social Security and SSI Disability law office has been primarily focused on helping people win their disability claims since 1985. I handle Social Security and SSI cases at all levels of application and review, from initial applications through federal court actions.

You're invited to schedule an appointment for a free consultation to discuss your claim for disability benefits. We have shown hundreds of disabled people how to win their Social Security and SSI claims, and look forward to helping you with your case. I am also available to do free lectures or in-service trainings, on topics of Social Security disability law -- how it affects you, your group, your clients or your organization.

At the Law Office of Martin R. Cohen, we have been involved in this area of law for many years, and we understand how intimidating and frustrating it can be. We will guide you through every step of the way. We'll protect your rights at every stage of your claim. You can lean on us; we'll support you through this difficult process.

We pride ourselves on...

REPRESENTING YOU AT EACH STAGE IN YOUR CLAIM
We will assist you with all stages of your claim, including representing you at administrative hearings and on appeal in Federal Court. In preparation for your administrative hearing, we will explain what issues are most important and will prepare you for the questions that the judge is likely to ask. On appeal in Federal Court we will submit written legal arguments and will attend oral arguments if necessary. Non-attorney representatives cannot do this for you, and it is very difficult for a non-represented claimant to understand what issues are most important in these proceedings.

DOING THE "LEG WORK" FOR YOU
We will assist you with the routine matters on your claim, such as helping you file your appeals on time and assisting you in completing standard Social Security questionnaires. We will obtain your doctors' records, as well as reports and medical questionnaires from your doctors concerning your medical condition, symptoms and limitations. These things can be very burdensome to you, but are routine for us. Additionally, we have a highly skilled staff that is dedicated to keeping your claim running smoothly. They are able to quickly and knowledgeably answer your questions. Although hiring an attorney will not necessarily speed the process, we regularly follow the status of your claim to be sure it is being processed properly.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR IMPAIRMENTS
Claims can be won on the basis of one impairment, either physical or psychological, or can be won on the basis of a combination of impairments. There are times when vocational factors such as age, education, and work history are important. We are experienced in reading medical records and understanding the nature of complex diseases and injuries. We know what information is important to obtain from your doctors. We can help the Administrative Law Judge assigned to your claim understand these issues and help you tell "your story".

UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR BENEFITS ARE CALCULATED.
We understand how the Social Security Administration calculates benefits. If your claim is approved, we monitor your claim to be sure that you are paid correctly. We understand that there are problems which can arise when a person collects Social Security and Workers' Compensation. We can guide you through these matters.

I worked for a small law firm for the first three years out of law school, where I had a general practice. I then went to work for myself and had a practice of general civil work and court appointed adult criminal and juvenile delinquency and dependency cases.

For the past 20 years I have been in charge of a consortium of now 11 attorneys who do court appointed work in the Juvenile Court in Clackamas County. During all of this time, I have also had a Social Security practice. For the past four years, I have focused my practice on Social Security disability cases, doing administrative work on the Juvenile practice and some delinquency cases.

I am the administrator of Independent Defenders, Inc. I have also practiced for many years in the area of juvenile law. Because of my juvenile court work, I have a particular expertise in children's SSI cases.

Cynthia

(503) 635-5903

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

No

None

Fees in Social Security cases are controlled by the government. My fee is a contingent fee of 25% of the past due benefits, not to exceed $5,300 at the current time. If costs are expended in prosecuting the case, the client will reimburse me for those costs. If the case goes to federal court, my fee is 25% of the past due benefits, with no cap.

Currently if I take a case on an hourly basis, my fee is $175 per hour.

Yes.

On the typical case, I do not request that a retainer be paid.