Hoglund Law is a disability law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases
Hoglund Law specializes in representing clients before the Social Security Administration. The firm handles cases at all stages of the SSDI and SSI process—from initial claims through appeals to federal court. Like other disability law firms, Hoglund Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the firm takes a percentage of your back pay if you win.
The firm is based in Colorado and primarily serves clients in that state, though some disability law firms do handle cases in other states. Before contacting any firm, confirm they are licensed to practice in your state and that they handle the specific stage of your case you are at—initial claim, reconsideration, hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or federal court appeal.
Key Takeaways
- Hoglund Law represents people in SSDI and SSI cases at all stages, from initial claim through federal court.
- The firm charges no upfront fee and takes a percentage of back pay awarded if your case is won, as required by Social Security rules.
- You should confirm the firm is licensed in your state and handles the stage of your case you are currently at before reaching out.
- A disability lawyer can help gather medical evidence, prepare you for a hearing, and file appeals, but cannot may provide an outcome.
- The Social Security Administration caps attorney fees at 25 percent of back pay, with a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024, though this amount changes yearly.
What a disability lawyer does in an SSDI or SSI case
A disability lawyer's role is to build your case by collecting medical records, working with vocational experts if needed, and presenting evidence to Social Security that you meet the definition of disability. At a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, your lawyer will question witnesses, cross-examine the government's vocational informed, and make arguments about why your condition prevents substantial work.
Lawyers also handle the procedural steps that many people miss on their own—filing appeals within the correct time window, requesting the right documents from doctors, and knowing which evidence matters most to a judge. If Social Security denies your case at the hearing level, your lawyer can file an appeal to the Appeals Council and, if necessary, to federal district court.
A lawyer cannot promise you will win. Social Security makes the final decision based on medical evidence and the law. What a lawyer does is make sure your case is presented as strongly as possible and that you do not lose on a technicality or because key evidence was missing.
How disability lawyers are paid
Social Security sets strict rules on how disability lawyers charge. The firm cannot take a fee from your current monthly benefit—only from back pay, the money owed to you from the date you became disabled until the date Social Security approves your claim. The maximum fee is 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. This cap is set by federal law and applies to all disability lawyers.
You pay nothing out of pocket. Social Security withholds the attorney fee from your back pay award and sends it directly to the law firm. If you do not win, you owe the firm nothing. Some firms may charge for costs like medical record requests or informed reports, so ask about this before signing a fee agreement.
When to contact a disability lawyer
You can contact a disability lawyer at any stage of your case. Many people wait until after Social Security denies their initial claim, but some lawyers will take a case from the beginning if the medical evidence is strong or the case is complex. If you are preparing for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, having a lawyer is especially valuable—judges see represented claimants more often and the hearing is your best chance to present your case in person.
If Social Security has already denied you once or twice, a lawyer becomes more important. Each denial makes the next stage harder, and a lawyer knows how to address the reasons Social Security gave for the denial and gather new evidence to overcome them.
Questions to ask before hiring a disability lawyer
Before you sign a fee agreement with any firm, including Hoglund Law, ask these questions: Are you licensed to practice in my state? Have you handled cases at the stage mine is at now? What is your experience with cases involving my condition? Will you handle my case personally or will another attorney? What costs beyond the attorney fee might I owe? How often will you communicate with me about my case?
You should also ask about the firm's track record—not a may provide of your outcome, but a sense of how many cases they win at the hearing level and how long cases typically take. A firm that has handled hundreds of cases in your state knows the judges and the local Social Security office better than one that has not.
Finding and comparing disability lawyers
The Social Security Administration maintains a list of accredited representatives—lawyers and non-lawyers who are authorized to charge fees for representing you. You can search this list on the Social Security website by state and by name. This list is your best starting point because it confirms the person is authorized and in good standing.
You can also contact your state bar association to confirm a lawyer is licensed and to check for any disciplinary history. Many disability lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so you can speak with several firms before deciding. During that call, ask about their experience and get a sense of whether they listen to your situation or rush through the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch lawyers if I already have one?
Yes. You can fire your current lawyer and hire a new one at any stage. You will need to file a new fee agreement with Social Security, and the new lawyer will take their fee from any additional back pay awarded after they are hired. The old lawyer may be owed a fee for work they already did, but Social Security handles this by splitting the back pay between them.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
You do not pay upfront. The lawyer takes their fee only from back pay if you win. If you are worried about costs, ask the firm whether they charge for things like medical records or informed reports. Some firms cover these costs themselves; others pass them to you. This should be in your fee agreement before you sign.
Do I need a lawyer to win my SSDI case?
No, but the odds are better with one. At the hearing level, people represented by lawyers win about 60 percent of the time, while people without lawyers win about 30 percent. A lawyer knows what evidence matters, how to present it, and how to respond to Social Security's arguments.
How long does a disability case usually take?
Initial claims take three to six months. If denied, reconsideration takes another three to six months. A hearing before a judge typically takes one to two years from the time you request it. Federal court appeals can take several more years. Your lawyer can give you a better timeline based on your local Social Security office's backlog.
What happens if Social Security denies my case after I hire a lawyer?
Your lawyer will explain your options: request reconsideration, appeal to the Appeals Council, or file in federal court. You do not owe the lawyer a fee for the denial. If you continue with the case and eventually win, the lawyer takes their fee from the back pay at that point.