Junior Associate Disability Attorney

About the role

Heard & Smith is a client‑focused Social Security Disability law firm with over 35 years of experience helping Americans obtain justice on their disability claims. The firm’s core values emphasize client advocacy, and the team is driven by the mission to change lives through legal representation. This entry‑level attorney position offers a path to greater responsibility for promising new attorneys or those new to Social Security Disability practice.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in hearings before Social Security Administrative Law Judges (approximately half to two‑thirds of time).
• Answer client questions.
• Review and develop pre‑hearing and hearing level cases.
• Conduct legal research and write pre‑hearing brief memorandums for disability hearings.
• Draft appeals council briefs.
• Maintain regular client contact via telephone, in‑person, mail, and email.
• Perform other non‑hearing tasks as assigned across the disability process.

Requirements

• Active attorney license.
• Reliability and dependability.
• Eagerness to learn and make a difference.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent legal writing skills.
• Ability to travel to hearings in other cities and states up to 70% of the time.
• Residence in one of the following states: CA, TX, GA, FL, NV, TN, DC, NC, or SC.
• Knowledge of Social Security Disability law is preferred but not required.

Qualifications (Home Office)

• Fast internet connection (20 Mbps+).
• Wired Ethernet cable internet connection in home office.
• Land‑line telephone or good cell‑phone signal in home office.
• Quiet home office free of distractions during business hours.

Skills

Legal writing, client advocacy, communication, travel readiness, and ability to manage a mixed caseload of hearings and administrative tasks.

Benefits

• Fast‑paced, professional environment.
• Fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding workloads.
• Great team environment.
• Paid holidays and paid time off.
• Comprehensive medical benefits package.
• Employee wellness program.
• Competitive salary with 401(k) and profit‑sharing.
• Firm