Top 10 Social Security Disability Lawyers in Reno, NV
If a disability has stopped you from working and Social Security has denied your claim, you are not alone and you are not out of options. Most first-time applications get denied, and the people who win usually win on appeal with a lawyer. Disability attorneys work on contingency, so you pay nothing up front and the fee is capped by federal law. The Reno firms below handle SSDI and SSI claims and appeals, and the consultation is free.
Updated October 04, 202511 min readEditorially independent
Social Security disability comes in two forms. SSDI (Disability Insurance) is for people who worked and paid into the system long enough; SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is need-based for people with limited income and resources. Both require proving that a medical condition keeps you from working, and both use the same frustrating reality: the majority of initial applications are denied, often for reasons that have more to do with paperwork and medical evidence than with how sick or injured you actually are.
That is where a disability lawyer earns their keep. The win rate goes up substantially at the hearing stage, in front of an administrative law judge, and a lawyer's job is to build the medical record, line up the right opinions from your doctors, and present your limitations in the terms Social Security actually uses. They know which evidence moves a judge and how to cross-examine the vocational expert the government brings to argue you could still work some job. In Reno, hearings run through the regional Social Security hearing process, and a local attorney knows the judges and the routine.
The fee structure is the same everywhere and set by federal law: a disability lawyer is paid only if you win, taking 25% of your past-due benefits (back pay), capped at a maximum the Social Security Administration sets nationally (currently $9,200). There is no hourly bill and no up-front cost. The consultation is free. That means there is almost no financial reason to fight a denial alone. Bring your denial letter, a list of your medical providers, and any records you already have.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Reno-area disability practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Shook & Stone
Reno, NV27+ yearsFree consultation
Practice focus: Social Security disability, SSDI and SSI appeals, workers' compensation, personal injury
A full-service Nevada injury and disability firm with more than 27 years of experience and a stated record of recovering over $500 million for clients across personal injury, workers' compensation, and Social Security disability. Listed on the firm site, Yelp's Reno disability list, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A large, well-resourced firm for claimants who want a high-volume disability practice that also handles related workers' comp or injury issues.
Practice focus: Social Security disability, SSDI and SSI claims and appeals
A disability-focused practice serving Reno claimants with SSDI and SSI applications, denials, and hearings. Listed on the firm site, Justia, and the Reno Social Security directories.
Why they made the list: A focused choice for claimants who want a firm concentrated specifically on Social Security disability rather than general injury work.
Practice focus: Social Security disability, personal injury, insurance disputes
A long-standing Reno firm handling Social Security disability alongside personal injury and insurance matters, appearing on Yelp's updated Reno disability list and in Justia and Avvo directories.
Why they made the list: A fit for claimants whose disability claim overlaps with an injury or insurance dispute the same firm can handle.
Practice focus: Social Security disability, SSDI and SSI claims and appeals
A Reno disability practice listed among the area's top Social Security disability lawyers on Yelp and in the Reno disability directories, handling claims and appeals for SSDI and SSI.
Why they made the list: A local option for claimants who want a Reno-based disability advocate for the application and hearing process.
Practice focus: Social Security disability, personal injury, accident claims
A Nevada firm with attorneys carrying close to 40 years of experience protecting injury and disability claimants across Reno and the state. Listed on the firm site, Avvo, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A large, established Nevada firm for claimants who want depth and resources behind a disability appeal.
Practice focus: Social Security disability benefits, SSDI and SSI guidance and appeals
A Reno attorney who concentrates on assisting individuals applying for or appealing Social Security disability benefits, guiding claimants through the process. Listed on Yelp's Reno disability list and in the local directories.
Why they made the list: A personal, focused option for claimants who want to work directly with a single disability-focused attorney.
Practice focus: Social Security disability, SSDI and SSI claims and hearings
Reno disability attorneys Terry Friedman and Julie Throop, who appear on Yelp's updated list of top Reno Social Security disability lawyers and in the area disability directories, handling claims and appeals.
Why they made the list: A fit for claimants who want experienced, named attorneys handling their hearing rather than a rotating caseworker.
Tell us about your condition and where your claim stands, and we'll match you with a Reno disability attorney who can take it on with no fee unless you win. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Reno
Hire before your hearing, not after another denial. The biggest jump in win rate comes at the administrative law judge hearing. If you have been denied once or twice, that is the moment to bring in a lawyer - not after a third try. Ask each firm how many Reno-area hearings they handle a year.
The fee is the same, so compare service. Every disability lawyer charges the same federally capped contingency, so price is not the deciding factor. Compare responsiveness, how they gather medical evidence, and whether you will work with the attorney or a caseworker.
Ask how they build the medical record. Cases are won on medical evidence. Ask each firm how they obtain records, whether they request specific opinions from your treating doctors, and how they prepare you to testify about your limitations.
What disability help typically costs in Reno
Social Security disability representation is priced the same way everywhere, by federal rule, which makes the cost easy to understand:
No fee unless you win: Disability lawyers are paid only if they recover benefits for you. If you lose, you owe no attorney fee.
25% of back pay, capped: The fee is 25% of your past-due benefits, capped at a national maximum the SSA sets (currently $9,200). It comes out of the back pay, not your ongoing monthly benefit.
Free consultation: Every firm above reviews your situation at no charge and tells you whether your claim is worth pursuing.
Case costs: Small costs for medical records are sometimes billed separately. Ask each firm whether you owe anything for records if the claim does not win.
Because the fee is federally fixed, choose on service and experience, not price - and confirm in writing that you owe no attorney fee if you do not win.
How long it takes
A Social Security disability claim in Reno moves through set stages, and the appeals are where most cases are actually won:
Initial application: You apply with your medical and work history. A decision commonly takes several months, and most initial claims are denied.
Reconsideration: The first appeal, a review of your file. This also commonly takes months and is frequently denied as well.
Hearing: Your case goes before an administrative law judge. This is where representation matters most and win rates rise. Wait times for a hearing can run a year or more.
Decision and back pay: If you win, you receive ongoing benefits plus past-due benefits (back pay) calculated from your established onset date. Your lawyer's fee comes out of that back pay.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a disability lawyer in Reno
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many disability matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Reno consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most disability matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Disability attorney in Reno
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about disability lawyers in Reno
Why was my disability claim denied?
Most initial claims are denied, often for reasons tied to incomplete medical evidence or how the application was framed rather than how disabled you are. A denial is not the end - it is the normal start of the appeals process, where most successful claims are eventually won with a lawyer's help.
How much does a disability lawyer cost in Reno?
Nothing up front. Disability lawyers work on a federally set contingency: 25% of your past-due benefits, capped at a national maximum (currently $9,200), paid only if you win. The consultation is free, and if you lose you owe no attorney fee.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI (Disability Insurance) is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to be insured. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is need-based for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both, and a Reno disability attorney can tell you which applies.
Do I really need a lawyer for a disability hearing?
You are not required to have one, but the win rate at the administrative law judge hearing is substantially higher with representation. A lawyer builds the medical record, prepares your testimony, and counters the government's vocational expert. Given there is no fee unless you win, most people choose representation for the hearing.
How long does it take to get disability benefits?
It varies, and it is rarely fast. Initial decisions take months, reconsideration takes more, and a hearing can be a year or more out. The whole process from application through a hearing decision often runs well over a year, which is why starting and appealing promptly matters.
What is back pay?
Back pay is the past-due benefit you are owed from your established disability onset date through the date you are approved. Because the process takes so long, back pay can be substantial. Your attorney's capped fee is paid out of this amount, not your ongoing monthly benefit.
Can I work at all while applying for disability?
Limited work may be possible, but earning above Social Security's substantial-gainful-activity threshold can disqualify you. This is a common trap, so talk to a Reno disability attorney before taking on work during a pending claim so you do not accidentally undercut your own case.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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