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1. All we do is help people with HIV/AIDS qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

We better be good at it, and every single day we bet we are by not taking on other work. Helping people who are disabled by HIV/AIDS qualify for Social Security disability benefits is all that we do.

2. We understand HIV.

Since 1997, Kendra S. Kleber has focused her law practice on HIV and AIDS-related legal issues. She has represented hundreds of clients, taught thousands of people at HIV legal trainings, and been an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS at the local, state and national level. We work with medical experts to help us understand the medical implications of each case. We make sure that we have the most current and complete information about HIV and AIDS, because we want the people making decisions about our clients' cases to be able to rely on the information we use.

3. We know the Social Security disability process.

We've developed strategies that allow us to get right to the heart of a case and present it to the Social Security Administration in the most complete and compelling manner. We reduce the workload of the doctors, case managers, disability insurance companies and legal aid attorneys who also serve our clients by minimizing the impact of the disability process.

4. We work well with others.

We know that disability benefits mean many things to different clients, but that qualifying is the most important step. We work hard to get each claim approved as quickly as possible, and in most cases (over 85%), our clients' claims are approved "on the record" without a hearing. We work with doctors, case managers and Social Security Administration officials to get the right information to the right people when they need it. Our priority is getting the case resolved to our client's advantage and moving it off of the desk of the Social Security official who is responsible for it. We value the trust of Social Security Administration officials, and we work hard to earn it.

5. We want to be doing this work for a long time.

We are invested in the disability claims system, and we want it to continue to work and work well. We recognize that our reputation with doctors, case managers and Social Security officials is a key part of our ability to serve our clients, and we value those relationships. We want people to recognize our name, to expect excellence from us, and to know that we will handle valid and meritorious cases in a professional and efficient manner. We want to be known by Social Security Administration officials at the local level, by the people who will meet with and can truly help our clients.

By "this work," we mean helping people qualify for Social Security disability benefits. As soon as HIV is eradicated and AIDS is cured, we will focus on another disability. But not until then.

6. Our egos don't get in the way.

We believe that our client will always know their life and their story better than we will; we just know how to apply the law better. We know what Social Security officials need to see, and what information must be in the file, to get a claim decided favorably. We know that our job in the process is to collect the records and the expert evidence, and then to tell the client's story. We handle the details, so the client doesn't have to worry and Social Security officials don't have to hunt for the information they need.

7. We care for every client.

This isn't rocket science; it is about relationships. Our work for a client may end, but our relationship with that client will not. We want our clients to call us for everything, and to feel safe with us. Once a case is finished, we hope that our clients will recommend us to their friends.

8. We have a sense of humor.

We understand how serious our clients' problems are, and the struggles that they face every single day. We take these things very, very personally, and we know just exactly who and what is important. We don't take ourselves seriously, because you can intimidate someone into doing what you want just once. We believe that helping people is fun, and we know the importance of humor even in doing serious work. We know that we will get more accomplished for our clients if people enjoy hearing from us.

Discover how it feels to be important to your attorney. Call us.