Molly Koontz Sand | Pacific Grove Estate Planning Lawyer

While employed at a Law Firm, I helped build a successful practice by being kind and truly caring about my clients and each one of their unique circumstances. I made sure that each client was given the opportunity to speak with the attorney so that they were confident and comfortable with the progress of their case. I was able to put in place methods to make sure that each client was being regularly updated on their case as well as making sure important filing dates were never missed. Also, by treating my team of employees with respect and appreciating all of their contributions to helping in the success of the practice.

Clients should look for integrity and honesty in a Lawyer. They need to feel like the attorney truly cares about them and treats them as an individual rather than a file number. They should look for a Lawyer who makes sure to regularly communicate with the client rather than pass them off to a paralegal or legal assistant. The client should feel like they have a Lawyer who is approachable and understands their unique needs and circumstances.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is definitely being able to help people. It makes me happy when I am able to help one of my Social Security clients gain the benefits they so often desperately need. I am equally as happy when I am able to draft an Estate Plan for my client that sets out what their wishes are. I am able to give them peace of mind knowing that they have been able to provide for their family after they are gone and to preserve their family legacy.

My other interests in addition to law include traveling, movies, the ocean, animals, and spending time with friends and family.

• Member | California State Bar Association
  Member - National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives
  Member - Monterey County Bar Association

• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award | West Publishing Company | 2010
  Witkin Award For Academic Excellence | Witkin Legal Institute | 2007
  Witkin Award For Academic Excellence | Witkin Legal Institute | 2006

• Notable Case
  I was working with a client who was disabled due to a combination of physical and mental impairments, unable to work, and really down and out. She felt like there was no hope for her future. She was very limited in activities she was able to do. She was experiencing quite a bit of pain. I worked hard to gather medical records on her behalf, obtain statements from her doctors as to her limiting condition, as well as handle correspondence on her behalf with the Social Security Administration. A hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge was requested for her case. On the day of her hearing, we met prior to the hearing time so that I could further prepare her for her hearing. She looked at the file I had for her and all of the notes I had compiled for her and asked “Wow, is all of that for me?” and I replied, “Yes, it is, I want to give you the best chance of success!”. That day, I presented her case to the Judge, questioned medical and vocational experts, and was able to secure a bench decision in her favor which is very rare in Social Security Disability Cases. Generally, your case is heard by the Judge, then you have to wait up to an additional 3 months for a decision. My client was so happy, she hugged me and said “Thank you so much, I now feel like I have some relief and hope for the future knowing I will now receive monthly payments to help me with my situation.” It is times like this that make me so happy to help someone who is truly in need.

• Social Security Disability | Sand Law
• Estate Planning | Sand Law
• About | Sand Law