Through Barton’s partnership with the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), our attorneys assist in the pro bono representation of individuals looking to appeal earlier denials of social security and/or disability benefits in the Southern District of New York (SDNY). For many of these clients, the outcomes of these cases are potentially life changing.
Barton recently won two of these cases on behalf of pro bono clients.
The first case involved a client who applied for benefits and supplemental security income from the social security administration (SSA) due to a disability. She was denied and then appealed her application to the Appeals Council of the SSA, which further denied her application. She then further appealed that decision to the SDNY.
Barton became involved during the client’s appeal to the SDNY and took over representation, with Associate Ami Arcot arguing his client’s motion for reversal or, in the alternative, remand for further proceedings before the Court. Following the hearing, the District Judge remanded the case back to the SSA as a result of errors committed by the Administrative Law Judge when denying the application.
After the case was remanded, Ami had two further hearings with the Administrative Law Judge, and the client’s application was finally granted with the Administrative Law Judge finding that the client was entitled to disability benefits and supplemental security income.
The second case was handled by Barak Bacharach and involved an individual who was also appealing an earlier denial of crucial government benefits. Along with Barak’s successful advocacy in federal court, NYCLA was able to successfully obtain fees for the client in connection with the case in order to pay down several thousands of dollars of outstanding tax debt that they could not pay due to their inability to work.
Congratulations to Ami and Barak on their victories and for helping to promote Barton’s mission of exemplary legal work and community service!
Barak Bacharach