LAW OFFICE OF STEPHEN M - Key Persons
"I really feel for these people," he says. "Often without representation they can't get benefits, and their lives rapidly deteriorate in a terrible way. When I can be an aggressive advocate and turn their situations around by getting the financial support they're entitled to, it's very gratifying."
Diligence is the cornerstone of Stephen's approach to producing victories for the disabled. "Thoroughness in every phase of a case is the key to an excellent outcome," according to Jackel. With a noteworthy success rate of getting benefits for clients over 88 percent of the time, his track record speaks for itself over the past 20 years as a New York Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lawyer.
Here's a good example of how he rescues clients repeatedly from the painful fate that a lack of income can inflict. Stephen represented a woman with myasthenia gravis, a grim medical condition causing fatigue, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and incapacitating weakness. With serious disorders, time is of the essence as far as benefits are concerned. He quickly obtained all the medical records from the client's neurologist and had the doctor complete a specially designed questionnaire that conclusively proved her disability.
Armed with this evidence, Stephen made an impassioned argument to the administrative law judge at her hearing, winning $16,000 in back benefits, as well as the ongoing financial support she needs as the dreaded disease progresses.
In fact, Stephen is a former administrative law judge himself. He worked at two New York City agencies and ultimately became responsible for training judges. It's one of the reasons he's able to make such persuasive arguments before them.
Stephen is a long-time cycling aficionado. Consistent with the leadership ability he's displayed in his professional endeavors, he's been the president, treasurer and leadership training coordinator for the Five Borough Bicycle Club. He's also a voracious reader, and when he's not protecting clients or others who are grateful for his help, you'll probably find him with a good book.