Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Kelly Dunn
The Hawkins Center
101 Broadway
Suite 1
Richmond, CA 94803
Phone: (510) 620-1160 | Fax: (510) 232-2271
http://www.rubiconprograms.org
Social Security and SSI Disability Representation
Legal Topic
Government & Environment
Preferred New Clients
I represent clients of all backgrounds and income levels on claims for Social Security and SSI disability benefits. We represent clients from most Bay Area counties. We handle claims at all levels of adjudication: initial applications, Administrative hearings and Federal Court.
Sub-Categories
Administrative Law
- Hearings & Adjudication
- DAC (Disabled Adult Child Benefits)
- DWB (Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits)
- SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1982
Bar Number: 104380
Other Court Admissions
Northern District California; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Continuing Education
Other than California's MCLE requirements, there are no continuing education requirements in the field of Social Security law. I do attend national and regional conferences specifically designed for practicing attorneys specializing in Social Security. Most recently, I attended a conference for Social Security attorneys practicing in the 9th Circuit in May 2006.
Example Cases
I recently (May 2006) won a Social Security disability case in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (Unpublished decision)
I have been successful in approximately 90% of the Social Security cases I have handled before Social Security Administrative Law Judges over the past 19 years.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
U.C. Berkeley School of Law, Boalt Hall
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1982
Degree:
B.S.
School:
U.C. Irvine
City:
Irvine
State:
CA
Year:
1979
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Physics
Number of Attorneys
4
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The Hawkins Center of Law and Services for People with Disabilities was founded in 1986 as a non-profit agency primarily dedicated to Social Security disability issues. In June 2003, the Hawkins Center merged with Rubicon Programs, a large non-profit organization which provides many non-legal services to disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. (See www.rubiconprograms.org.) The Hawkins Center's programs include our core service of Social Security disability advocacy; our HIV Legal Services Project providing a range of free civil legal services to residents of Contra Costa County who have been diagnosed with AIDS or HIV; and our Work and Benefits Counseling program through which we provide advice and assistance regarding the complex rules and regulations governing the return to work for current recipients of Social Security and SSI disability benefits. Since 1986, Hawkins Center staff attorneys have represented over 2,000 individuals on Social Security disability claims at hearings before Social Security Administrative Law Judges. The Center currently has four attorneys; three in our Social Security Advocacy program and one who is our HIV project attorney. I joined the Hawkins Center in 1987 and have been the Director since 1991.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to joining the Hawkins Center, I worked in a small private law office in San Francisco practicing in the area of consumer law.
Activities and Awards
I provide pro bono legal advice and counseling in the annual Law Clinic Day for the Northern California Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
We strive to provide as much information as possible to our clients so that each individual can make informed and intelligent decisions. We accept calls from the public on a wide range of disability related issues and attempt to refer callers to other legal service providers or resources available to them for self-advocacy.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We are always willing to review any documents provided to us by our clients. We often suggest to our clients ways they can assist in documenting their disability case, for example, keeping a "Headache Log" for a person suffering from chronic and disabling migraines.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I frequently provide coaching and suggestions to individuals contacting me about how they can represent themselves on a disability claim. We sometimes advise individuals to go through the early stages of the disability application process on their own (with suggestions as to how to do that) and reseek legal assistance when and if an administrative hearing becomes necessary.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to work in a profession in which I could assist others in need.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My daily work with disabled clients serves as a constant source of education about legal issues, about disabilities and about life.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy the one-on-one contact with clients. The work and seeing the impact it a successful outcome can make in a disabled individual's life is very rewarding.
What do you like best about your career?
The clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
Hawkins Center staff are wonderful people. They are all caring, fun and hard working. Our staff is highly trained and our attorneys are very dedicated to providing the best representation they can to their clients.
What are your strengths and style?
I have been practicing in the field of Social Security disability law for 19 years so have a very strong knowledge of the law and procedures peculiar to the Social Security claims process. Over the years I have trained over a dozen lawyers in the field, several of whom have gone on to establish their own private practices. I have handled cases involving medical conditions ranging from the common to the rare and have gained a great deal of understanding about the impact of disability on an individual's physical and mental health.
I have been told I am easy to talk to and a good listener. I always make an effort to answer all my client's questions and explain the issues and challenges of their case. I am focused on getting the information that will be necessary to providing effective and ultimately successful representation.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy family, hiking and the outdoors, sports.
Office Manager/Assistant
Linda Fountain
Fax
(510) 232-2271
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
The attorneys fees for all Social Security disability entitlement cases (including SSI) are a contingency fee that is 25% of the past-due benefits (up to a maximum of $5,300) the individual (and his/her family) become entitled to if a favorable outcome is achieved. This fee is standard for all lawyers practicing Social Security disability law and is regulated and subject to approval by the Social Security Administration.
Hourly Rates
Mostly inapplicable, but in some cases that do not involve past-due benefits, individual fee contracts may be negotiated.
Free Initial Consultation?
There is no consultation fee.
Typical Retainer
Fees are contingency, thus there is no retainer fee required.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
