Reviews

I selected this attorney to represent me based on research and the reviews. I started filing for disability back in the summer of 2015. All was fine until the parallegal working with me left the firm. From that point on nobody was responsive to any communication. I finally got my date in front of an administrative judge. I called the office to try to get someone to give me guidance on what was the process from this point. It took a week for me to get a call back. Then they said they were no longer handling my case and I should have recieved a letter in the mail. The so called notification letter was dated from the Monday of that week and postmarked 2 days later (had I not reached out to them I may never have known I was no longer a client). The letter said the office said they decided not to handle SSD cases anymore in September 2015. They said they had another firm handeling my case who is reputable and accomplished. The attorney at that firm that handles their caes is known for dealing with drunk driving, workers comp, and pit bull attacks. Not too comforting when you have a social security disability issue. When I called the firm they had no record of my case. I am 45 days out from a judicial hearing I have been waiting for for over 18 months and now I have to find an attorney becasuse Ms. Jurewitz dumped me and didn't have the courtesy to notify me. She didn't even take verify that the people she thought she was transfering the case to were knowledgeable in the area or actually took the case.

According to the Oceanside Social Security office, I was the first veteran (in March, 2014) to file for SSDI benefits in San Diego under the new Expedited Program for Disabled Veterans (only for veterans Rated 100%, Permanent and Total). What I did not understand, at the time of my initial electronic filing, was that there was a 70+% chance that my claim would be denied, which it was. In fact, my claim was denied a second time when I appealed their first decision. I could not believe that the SSA wrote, in both their Denial Letters, that I was capable of working 100% time, especially given the fact (documented by the VA, and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center) that I had incurable cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy twice a week for the rest of my life. What??? There is an old saying which is completely true, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I had a choice to make. I could do nothing and accept their verdict, or, I could appeal. I decided to deny their denial of my claim. So, what do you do when you are about to embark on any conflict? You prepare and get the best defense you can. The first thing I did was search the internet, where I found the AVVO website. I searched San Diego disability lawyers, and then I found the one with the highest (10.0) rating, Lee Jurewitz. I emailed her office. No response. I called them, and it was lucky I did because their server was having problems. I told them my story and was accepted as a client. If you are reading this, you should understand that SSDI claims take a LONG time to process. My claim took 17 months from my initial application, to the successful hearing with the Administrative Law Judge and my attorney, Ms. Jurewitz. And I had an expedited claim, not only because I am a disabled veteran (100% P&T), but also I am a TERI (terminal illness) case. 17 months. There were others at the downtown Social Security office, waiting for their hearings, who had waited over four years. So, you need to learn several things: 1) Be patient. SSDI claims will take a long time to process. They are understaffed and overworked. 2) Hire a good, reputable attorney. The maximum they can make on an SSDI claim is $6,000, or 25% of the retroactive backpay, whichever is less. They are well worth the money (which is deducted from your final payout from Social Security). 3) Document, document, document all your medical appointments, etc. Help your attorney to help you. 4) Be honest with your attorney, and above all, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). If you are truly disabled, it will be obvious to everyone because of your medical documentation and your demeanor. Do not fake anything or you will ruin your credibility and you will deserve to lose your case. It may seem that the ALJ hearing is adversarial, but it is the job of the judge to make certain you are disabled, and believe me, the ALJ will ask you some very personal and embarrassing questions--but that is their job. Be honest and make sure the judge understands your disability. Explain how your disability affects your life and why you cannot work. SSDI is not just handed out, and it should not be. If you are able to work, or you are faking it because you think you might get some easy money from the government, I will tell you right now that you are sworn to be truthful during your hearing and the penalties for defrauding the government are severe. They should be. So, if your initial SSDI claim is denied, which in all likelihood it will be, and you have a legitimate case, I would strongly urge you to find a good, reputable attorney to represent you, and AVVO can help you find the right attorney for you.

I'm so glad that I chose Lee to take my case. She is very knowledgable, efficient and professional. She and her staff are caring and always got back to me in a timely manner. It was reassuring to know that I could trust Lee and her staff to do a great job handling my case.

This firm/Lee Jurewitz and her employee's are the exception to the rule. They are a must have firm if you want to have the best legal representation possible when it comes to your livelihood and your ability to survive in your condition. I cannot stress to you the difference in the Attorneys and Law Firms that you may choose will be night and day. I have lived the nightmare when I hired a Big Internet Yellow Pages Law Firm to represented me in my Workers Comp case. You are a volume client and just a number. This firm was basically ran by answering services. If you are lucky enough to get a call back from an assistant a week later you were doing good. These assistants were the ones giving you all the advise but when challenged they said," Oh, were not qualified to give legal advise." They often told me false information and displayed attitudes. When I asked to please speak with my attorney to get clarification I had to submit a letter in writing about my questions for him to possibly return my calls. I only spoke to him one time in 2 years except for my settlement hearings. You will be stuck with your firm as time goes on. On the contrary..... The Jurewitz Law Group are the Professionals you expect to get in a Law firm. From the initial consultations to the Judge Advocate Hearing in which I received my approval were the result of the complete work and court litigation of Lee Jurewitz .(Also good Judge Advocate who rules on clear cut evidence presented by Lee). I was treated with respect and true concern for my condition by her and the employees at her firm. I was always able to speak with them and get a straight answer the same morning or by that afternoon. They were there to assure me through two appeals and the SSA Judge Advocate Hearing. One thing that really stood out to me is the personal caring and professional attitude I received from Lee Lurewitz. I was her individual client for that day and not a number. As I waited in the lobby I seen and heard another attorney having a confrontational attitude with their client. Almost like a repetitive answer to her client. It reminded me of the way I was treated by my Workers Comp Attorney. I am thankful to God to have the Jurewitz Law Group represent me. I hope whoever reads this review are lucky enough to have Lee represent you also. Hang in there, its a daily struggle and you to will get your greatly needed disability benefits.