Pro Bono Client Wins Social Security Disability Benefits

Cleary Gottlieb won a disability claim appeal for pro bono client Ms. L. in an “on the record” (without a hearing) decision on April 13, obtaining Social Security disability benefits after the Social Security Administration had denied her initial benefits application, and extending Cleary Gottlieb’s unbroken streak of disability claim victories, dating to 2005. Cleary Gottlieb represents individual clients on referral from Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation.

The judge found that Ms. L. suffers from a variety of mental impairments, which make it extremely difficult for her to engage with or relate to other people and function in public settings, concluding that Ms. L. is unable to work due to this disability, and is therefore entitled to benefits.

In preparing Ms. L.’s appeal, the Cleary Gottlieb team researched Ms. L.’s medical condition and the applicable Social Security regulations, obtained medical records and filed a pre-hearing memorandum.