Social Security Disability Practice is a specialized field of law. If you needed brain surgery you would not go to a general practitioner. Similarly, if you need Social Security Disability you should go to a specialist. These are tips for finding one of the Number One Social Security Disability lawyers in Virginia:

First, you can of course go to the Yellow Pages and look for attorneys who specialize in this field. This is a good starting point and it will at least lead you to the attorneys who specialize in the field.

Second, you can check to see if the attorney has an "AV" rating by Martindale-Hubbell. This is an organization that ranks attorneys from "CV" which means just starting out, to "BV" an attorney with some years of experience, and finally "AV" which means an attorney who has been recognized by his peers as having the highest ability. You should ask for the attorneys' rating and only settle for an attorney with an "AV" rating.

Third, you should make sure the attorney is a member of the National Association of Social Security Representatives (NOSSCR). This is the organization that all of the Number One Social Security Disability lawyers belong to.

Fourth, you should check the NOSSCR web site to make sure the attorney is on NOSSCR's referral list. That site is www.NOSSCR.org. All number of the Number One Social Security Disability lawyers belong to this list.

Fifth, check the attorney's web site to see what information he/she provides about Social Security Disability Law and his/her experience.

Sixth, ask your friends and relatives. It is possible that a friend or relative has had a Social Security Disability hearing and has had a good advocate.

Seventh, contact the Virginia State Bar to find out if any bar complaints have been filed against the attorney (804) 775-0570. If an attorney has had a complaint, you may not want to choose that lawyer.

Eighth, ask the attorney for his brochure on Social Security Disability Law. After you have checked out his/her brochure it should show you if you will have an effective advocate before the Social Security Administration.

In summary, you should not just settle for any lawyer on something this important to you. The above information should enable you to find one of the Number One Social Security Disability Lawyers in Virginia.

This may be considered AN ADVERTISEMENT or Advertising Material under the Rules of Professional Conduct governing lawyers in Virginia.This note is designed for general information only. The information presented in this note should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Gerald G. Lutkenhaus---practitioner of Social Security Disability law in the Richmond, Virginia area for over 30 years and who was recognized in a July 1999 survey in Richmond Magazine as one of the best attorneys for workers' compensation in the Central Virginia area, and who was given an "AV" rating by Martindale Hubbell in 2003. For more information, see our websites at http://www.geraldlutkenhaus.com and http://www.virginiadisabilitylawyer.com.