Robert Buckley | New York Social Security Lawyer

• Member | New York State Bar Association
• Member | Social Security Disability Attorneys Network
• Member | Queens County Bar Association
• Member | Personal Injury Attorneys Network
• Member | American Bar Association

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA
• Pro Bono Service Award, Skadden Arps LL
  2009

In the last year I was able to obtain a $125k settlement for a disabled individual whose wages were withheld by his employer. Additionally, a good chunk of my clients come to me after other attorneys have failed them. One notable example is a middle aged woman who applied for social security benefits due to multiple, debilitating back injuries she suffered after being hit by a car while she was crossing the street. The previous attorney lost her medical evidence and dropped her case 1 week before her hearing. I was able to get the missing evidence, reschedule her hearing, and win the client over $24k in back pay.

I have consistently found that there is one area in which most attorneys fail: getting back to their clients. It is imperative to communicate regularly with one's clients, and I make it a point to answer calls within 1 business day. My clients really appreciate it and I have found that responding to a client's questions often helps me understand a case better and, therefore, leads to more effective legal strategies.

Clients must choose an attorney they can trust. Too many attorneys take on clients simply to build their book of business. These attorneys will rarely return phone calls or communicate important developments in a case. If an attorney stops answering phone calls, a client should remind them that, as a client, they have a right to switch attorneys. Moreover, law tends to be very specialized and there is no effective one-size-fits-all approach to being a lawyer. For this reason, it is very important to choose a lawyer with experience in the area that a client has needs. For example, if you have a social security disability matter, make sure you seek representation from an experienced and accomplished lawyer in that particular area. There is no guarantee that someone with experience in a different area - such as personal injury - will understand the complexities of a social security case.

Local knowledge is especially important in social security disability matters for a variety of reasons. First of all, when it comes to initial applications, an attorney needs to understand the quirks of the various field offices that process these documents. Some do not have published phone numbers, for example. Without that information, an attorney is very limited in what he or she can do to help an applicant. Similarly, at the appeal level, a claimant's chances of success vary dramatically depending on the assignment of judge, vocational, and medical experts. As an attorney with experience in the New York State area, I have familiarity with the personalities and preferences of these individuals, and can shape my legal strategies accordingly. Doing so helps maximize my clients' chances of success.

In a free phone consultation regarding motor vehicle accidents, I typically need the following essesntial bits of information: what injury or injury was suffered by the individual, and how was that injury caused. Also, I need to know whether the person received medical treatment immediately after the accident and whether there were any witnesses. In a social security disability matter, the essential information I need is this: 1) whether the person has filed for benefits yet - an initial application is treated differently from an appeal; 2) what medical condition(s) is alleged as the disability; 3) has the person received ongoing medical treatment for the condition(s) over the last 12 months; 4) the person's age, education, and work experience.

I stand out from other attorneys in a few ways. First of all, I pride myself on responding to client phone calls within 1 business day. Secondly, I have experience as a litigator at one of the nation's preeminent corporate law firms, Skadden Arps, LLP. And, lastly, I hold a PhD in philosophy and taught the subject for many years. As a result, I have experience explaining complex ideas to people in a way that is understandable. This is very important because a client who fully understands his or her own case has a serious advantage.

The most rewarding aspect of my job as a private attorney is seeing the results that I can achieve. Sometimes, a successful verdict can be a life-changing event for a client. I have seen many of my clients' lives change as a result of the money I have been able to win for them in my practice.

In addition to law, I am a dog lover and I write and perform music in my spare time. I am also interested in languages and work constantly on developing my Italian and Spanish skills.

I am very involved in my community and offer free legal advice to my neighbors on a regular basis. In fact, I will be receiving a certificate from Legal Services NYC in recognition of the Pro Bono services I have provided to my community in 2014.