Atlanta is home to one of the Social Security Administration’s busiest hearing offices, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), which processes disability claims for applicants across a large portion of Georgia. The city’s large and diverse population includes significant numbers of workers with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions that prevent sustained employment, creating consistent demand for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) legal representation. Initial denial rates for Social Security disability claims nationally run above 60%, making the appeals process — particularly Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings — the most critical stage where legal representation significantly improves claimant outcomes. Atlanta also has a substantial veterans population with overlapping VA disability and Social Security disability claims that require attorneys familiar with both systems.
When choosing a Social Security attorney in Atlanta, verify that the attorney handles Social Security disability cases regularly and not just occasionally alongside an unrelated practice. Ask specifically about the attorney’s experience appearing before ALJs at the Atlanta ODAR office, since familiarity with specific judges’ evaluation criteria and preferred hearing formats can meaningfully affect outcomes. Former ALJs or attorneys who have worked inside the Social Security Administration bring particularly valuable perspective on how cases are evaluated. All legitimate Social Security disability attorneys work on a contingency fee regulated by federal law — the fee is capped at 25% of past-due benefits up to a maximum set by the SSA — so any attorney requesting upfront fees for Social Security representation is a red flag.
Top Social Security Attorney Companies in Atlanta
1. Affleck & Gordon, P.C.
Address: 211 Perimeter Center Pkwy, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30346
Phone: (404) 990-3945
Website: https://www.affleckandgordon.com
Services:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims
- Social Security appeals
- ALJ hearing representation
- Veterans’ disability claims
- Personal injury
- Wrongful death
About: Affleck & Gordon has represented disabled and injured individuals in Atlanta and throughout Georgia for over 45 years, making them one of the most experienced Social Security disability practices in the state. The firm’s decades of consistent focus on disability law have produced deep familiarity with the ALJ hearing process at Atlanta’s ODAR and the specific documentation and medical evidence standards required to succeed at each level of appeal. They represent clients on a contingency basis, meaning no fees unless they win, which makes their services accessible to claimants regardless of financial situation. Their combined Social Security disability and veterans’ disability practice serves the significant portion of Atlanta’s population navigating both systems simultaneously.
2. Rogers, Hofrichter & Karrh, LLC
Founded: 1993
Phone: (770) 884-6705
Website: https://www.roholaw.com
Services:
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Long-term disability insurance claims
- Initial applications
- Reconsideration appeals
- ALJ hearing representation
- Federal court appeals
About: Founded in 1993, Rogers, Hofrichter & Karrh has operated for over three decades as an Atlanta-area firm focused exclusively on helping people who cannot work due to injury or disability. The firm’s exclusive focus on disability law — rather than mixing it into a broader general practice — allows their attorneys to develop concentrated expertise in SSA evaluation criteria, medical evidence standards, and ALJ hearing strategy. They represent clients at every stage of the Social Security process from initial application through federal court appeals, and also handle long-term disability insurance denials from private insurers, which frequently parallel Social Security disability claims in timing and evidence requirements.
3. Law Office of Joel J. Humphries, PC
Phone: (855) 633-3774
Website: https://www.lawofficeofjoeljhumphries.com
Services:
- Social Security Disability
- SSI claims
- Disability appeals
- Workers’ compensation
- Personal injury
About: The Law Office of Joel J. Humphries is headquartered in Atlanta and represents clients throughout Georgia and surrounding states in Social Security disability and related matters. The firm operates on a strict contingency basis with no upfront fees, ensuring that claimants at any financial level can access experienced legal representation. Their practice covers the full spectrum of disability claims from initial application through appeals, and their broader injury and workers’ compensation practice allows them to address the overlapping claims that frequently arise when a disability results from a workplace injury or accident. The firm’s statewide reach allows them to serve clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia without requiring in-person office visits for all stages of representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the approval rate for Social Security disability claims with an attorney in Atlanta?
A: Nationally, the approval rate at the ALJ hearing stage for represented claimants is significantly higher than for unrepresented claimants. While exact Atlanta-specific rates are not publicly broken down by city, national data consistently shows that having an attorney at the ALJ hearing level roughly doubles the likelihood of approval compared to appearing without representation. Many claimants who are denied at the initial and reconsideration stages are ultimately approved at the ALJ hearing level, making the decision to hire an attorney before that stage one of the most important choices in the process.
Q: How much does a Social Security disability attorney in Atlanta charge?
A: Social Security disability attorneys are prohibited by federal law from charging more than 25% of your past-due benefits up to a federally-set maximum (currently $7,200 per claim level), and this fee is only collected if you win. The SSA pays the attorney directly from your back-due benefit award, so you never write a check to your attorney. There are no upfront fees for legitimate Social Security disability representation. This fee structure is uniform across all attorneys handling Social Security cases and is regulated by the SSA, so attorney shopping based on fees is generally unnecessary — the key differentiator is the attorney’s experience and familiarity with the Atlanta hearing office.
Q: How long does a Social Security disability case take in Atlanta?
A: Initial applications typically take three to six months for an initial decision from the SSA. If denied and you request reconsideration, that level adds another three to five months. If denied again and you request an ALJ hearing, Atlanta’s hearing wait times have historically been among the longer ones in the country, often running 12 to 24 months from request to hearing date depending on current backlogs. Adding the time for an appeal to the Appeals Council or federal court can extend the process further. Starting with a well-prepared initial application that includes complete medical records and vocational documentation can sometimes reduce the number of denial levels required before approval.
Conclusion
Navigating the Social Security disability system in Atlanta’s high-volume hearing office requires attorneys with specific experience in SSA procedures and ALJ hearing strategy. Affleck & Gordon brings over 45 years of Atlanta disability representation with a combined Social Security and veterans’ disability practice. Rogers, Hofrichter & Karrh offers three decades of exclusive disability law focus with coverage from initial application through federal court appeal. The Law Office of Joel J. Humphries provides statewide representation with no upfront fees and a broad disability and injury practice. Contact any of these firms to discuss your disability claim.