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Phyllis Matyi
Phyllis A. Matyi, Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 426
Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: (415) 924-3822 | Fax: (415) 927-0363
Social Security/SSI- obtain the support you need
Legal Topic
Government & Environment
Preferred New Clients
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):: It helps the case to contact an attorney within the first year of becoming disabled and before their first denial. Though I will take harder cases that have waited years after stopping work until coming to the realization that their problems would not allow them to return to work.
Social Supplemental Income (SSI): Even if they have never held a regular, continuous job, to contact me when their problems have continued for at least a year without relief.
Federal Judicial Review: SSDI & SSI Cases Only: To have at least some good medical records and some constitutional issues.
Government Agency: Social Security Administration
Sub-Categories
Administrative Law
- Hearings & Adjudication
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1984
Bar Number: 113211
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of California; United States Federal Court, Northern District and Central District; United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Association Memberships
State Bar of California
Continuing Education
I am current with State Bar Continuing Education requirements.
Papers and Publications
"Cross-Cultural Language Course," Time-Life, Tokyo
Example Cases
Published Decision: Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, full reversal of unfavorable decision based on Social Security legal error in administrative handling of case: Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195(9th Cir.2001).
Recently obtained a favorable decision for child disability, which determined the person had been disabled before the required age of 22 even though she was near 30 years of age at the time of the Hearing.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
New College School of Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1983
Focus and Accomplishments:
Public Interest and Environmental Law
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
School:
University of Dayton
City:
Dayton
State:
OH
Year:
1973
Focus and Accomplishments:
Social Science and Comparative Philosophy
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Disability, physical, psychological or combination of both; also have a special understanding of immune system disorders and environmental sensitivities. In my past, I was a Legal Aid/Legal Services attorney and funding was beginning to be cut so the office needed to prioritize the cases they were handling. We saw that if the disability cases were referred to private attorneys who would handle the cases, it would free time for Legal Aid to work with other civil cases. I then moved into private practice specifically handling the disability cases in 1985.
Previous Employment Summary
I was a counselor for children at risk in a residential setting/New York; University Professor/Peace Corps; teacher for Time-Life/Tokyo; Attorney for Legal Services Corporation/Marin County.
Activities and Awards
Board Member for King Mountain Open Space; Board Member Environmental Health Network; Board Member Sukhasiddhi Foundation (Buddhist)
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I have referred people to Nolo Press for years. It is important for some people, in order to feel grounded and centered, to understand the environment, in this case, the laws dictating their particular issue. I often simply educate people as well as refer them to other self-help sources.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I feel it adds a special insight to each case. What is important about the case to the client is an essential aspect. Also, it is a way for a client to record information that they may forget to tell me or I may not know to ask about when we speak or meet.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I always inform the client that they are free to represent themselves, especially at the early administrative levels, but it would not be advisable before a Judge. However, since my clients are dealing with a disability, they need to look at the path that will cause the least stress in their life. If I feel, after talking with them, that they have a clear case at the early level and a high chance of winning without at attorney, I advise them of that fact.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Law is just a foreign language and I wanted to be able to understand the law, interpret any situation and understand the best approach: to be able to help and inform my family, friends and people. When I wanted to do something creative, like save a mountain, I did not want someone in power to say, "There is a law against that" and not know what that meant or how I could in fact save the mountain.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer as well as a teacher for Time-Life in Asia which helped me understand the various ways people may think and feel differently about the same factors or situation. I also practice and teach Buddhist Meditation which assists me in dealing with stressful situations as well as to be more present and compassionate. For me court is like surfing: to be able to feel the waves and the currents and know which way to go to where you want to be.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Physical and psychological impairments and disabilities is something that occurs, is real and changes ones entire situation. Often the client is not believed. I feel honored to work with people to assist them in obtaining disability and medical benefits so their lives can become more whole. Some eventually heal and return to work; others are assisted by having more support to make their lives a little easier.
What do you like best about your career?
I like that I can help life be easier and less stressful for my clients. I also enjoy bringing constitutional law into the field of disability. People who are disabled also have the right to full constitutional protections in the way their disability claim is handled.
Tell us about your law firm:
Any attorney or assistant I may work with needs to be knowledgeable and, moreover, have an open ear, compassion as well as a sense of humor. Distance is not a problem as far as working with clients. Most are disabled and travel is difficult -- so often we can work and win their cases just using the phone and email -- especially if I can get cases early and not have to go to court.
What are your strengths and style?
I am able to hold a multitude of information at once and have an easy recall of facts within the documents. I work well with the Judges and the clerks which allows me to follow a direct route with minimal blockages. I win many cases without going to court. I also write well and can verbally present cases in a non-confrontational way. However, infrequent, when needed, the legal warrior is present.
Every case has a story as well as legal principals. My gift is a cogent presentation of the legal principals along with the heart of the individual story. Given a fair trier of fact in a Judge, usually the conclusion (a favorable disability decision) is obvious. I also value my relationship with the client remembering to hold their confidence and their trust.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy nature, hiking, dancing, family/children/people, travel, animals, and spirituality, not necessarily in that order.
Office Manager/Assistant
Joyce Ortega
Fax
(415) 927-0363
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None, but I will work with interpreters
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Maximum Contingent Fee not greater than 25% of Retroactive Disability Benefits with a limit of $5,300 if do not go beyond one Hearing (awarded only if win case); if appeal beyond first Hearing is necessary, Contingent Fee not greater than 25% of Retroactive Disability Benefits (awarded only if win case).
Hourly Rates
For Non-contingent cases: $150 - $200 sliding scale
Free Initial Consultation?
Free initial consultation
Typical Retainer
None
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