Attorney Referrals for Social Security Disability Claims

Federal Court Referrals

Not every Social Security disability representative has the time and resources necessary to file federal court appeals on a regular basis. When your firm decides not to pursue an appeal in federal court, we welcome the opportunity to review it. That includes both cases outside your firm’s scope of practice and cases that have already been evaluated and declined for appeal.

We are lucky to have an established federal court practice. All of our attorneys have an active federal appeal docket, including an attorney who focuses almost exclusively on drafting federal appeals. To stay on top of the developing issues, every morning we review every Social Security disability district court decision within the Sixth Circuit. And, perhaps most importantly, we also partner with other firms to review our cases when we don't find an appeal issue—we think this both gives our clients every opportunity for success, and keeps our attorneys attuned to arguments that other firms are using.

We typically prefer to appeal within the Sixth Circuit, and especially in the Southern District of Ohio, although we consider appeals elsewhere on a more selective basis.

If you are interested in our firm reviewing decisions for federal court appeal, please email zak@donofflutz.com. If you are admitted to practice in the relevant federal district, we can discuss co-counsel arrangements where your firm—as permitted by legal ethics rules—would receive a portion of legal fees consistent with your participation in the federal appeal.

Disability Referrals

Not every attorney wants to represent disability claimants. In 2024, Judge Cole accurately called Social Security disability “a complex and somewhat insular area of law.” So, for good reason, it rarely makes sense to dabble in disability claims.

If you practice in another area of law and would like to discuss Social Security disability claims, we’re always happy to talk. You might have a particular client in mind, need a firm to send disability cases to regularly, or simply have a question about Social Security benefits.

Our firm only represents Social Security disability claimants. We are here to help with that part of your client’s case, not to take over your representation. Whether you are handling a personal injury suit, a workers’ compensation claim, a veterans’ disability claim, or another matter, you can feel comfortable referring your client to us without worrying that we will interfere with the work that you're already doing. Similarly, because we don't help with other sorts of legal claims, we're always interested in learning about how other attorneys are helping clients. 

If you are interested in speaking, please contact zak@donofflutz.com.

Declined Cases from Other Disability Representatives

Not every disability representative can take every case. If you come across a case that you are not inclined to accept, we are happy to speak with the claimant.

Because our firm only represents disability claimants, we have the infrastructure to handle more unusual (and perhaps less remunerative) disability cases, including claims with onset date and insured-status issues, ongoing work involving accommodations, res judicata problems, closed periods, limited medical evidence, or simply more difficult medical records. We also take Social Security cases that your firm may not routinely desire, including children’s SSI claims and age-18 redeterminations, and even—in appropriate circumstances—MQGE claims, continuing disability reviews, and post-entitlement issues. 

Because (excepting pro bono work) our firm only represents Social Security disability claimants, you can feel secure that our firm will help your clients without infringing on your firm’s representation—whether an injury suit, a worker’s compensation claim, veteran’s disability claim, or otherwise.

We routinely review declined cases from other firms, including multiple disability firms that send clients they decline. If you are interested in speaking, please contact zak@donofflutz.com.