Mr. Sean Frederick Hampton JD.MBA | Attorney

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I had a Social Security case with a hard judge. I did all the things that I am supposed to do in those cases, like make sure the medical evidence is submitted timely, supply medical listing forms to physicians, etc. However, I drafted briefs making arguments that the RFC developed by SSA was incorrect and inconsistent with the record, and I combined all the evidence to develop a new RFC that was consistent and took into consideration all aspects of all the records. In doing this, I believe the Judge doesn’t have much choice other than to pay the case. Otherwise, I think he is open to being reversed on appeal. I had a juvenile criminal case that resulted in the arrest of my client from a lineup photo shown to the victim. My client explained that it was not him. I got a yearbook from my client and met with the victim. During the meeting I showed her pictures of the real perpetrator, and the victim identified him as the person who vandalized her property. I then showed her who she had arrested, and she stated to me and in front of my secretary that my client was not the person. After notifying the District Attorney of the results of my investigation, he agreed to dismiss the case against my client. The Judge and the victim apologized to my client in open court.

How did you build a successful practice?
I have depended on working hard for my clients and being honest. I have a theory that if you work hard for someone and get results and if you are honest with them and their money, then your business will just grow. Right now, word of mouth has supplied my caseload to date.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Clients should look for a lawyer that will treat that client like something more than a case. The lawyer should recognize the difficulty in whatever the client is going through, know that client’s expectations of the case, be transparent about billing, and most of all listen to the client.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Local knowledge is as important as knowing the law. Different judges want different things. In Social Security, knowing about the ALJ and knowing what that ALJ wants can mean the difference in a fully favorable decision or unfavorable. Some ALJ’s want forms while others want briefs highlighting the evidence. One has to know the judges and develop a good relationship so that judge knows that that attorney is credible. In Criminal Law, each judge is different in their feelings about bonds, drug treatment, sentencing, and defenses. Your argument is based on which judge you have just as much as what the facts are.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I can provide the client with a good idea of whether I can help the client or If I cannot. I can usually get an idea and will provide the client with a good idea of the direction the case will take and what to expect.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
I need a good breakdown of all the good facts and bad facts in the case. I also need to know the County where the case is pending, the judge, the court, and the charge. It would also be great if the client knew what they wanted to happen.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I feel like I am more personable and look at each case as a person not a dollar amount. I do this because I like the fields and like helping people.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Exceeding the client’s expectations. It is hard to describe how great it feels to return someone’s life back to them. Whether it is a source of livelihood in social security cases or freedom in criminal cases.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I am a father and have three kids. Spending time with my family and being a good role model is very important to me. I would also love to build a practice that could be passed down. That would only happen if it had a strong foundation built on honest values and commitments.

Are you involved in your community?
I taught Social Security Law as an adjunct professor at the University of South Alabama.