Meet Our SSD Legal Team

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has helped thousands of injured North Carolinians with potential claims including Social Security, auto accidents, Workers' Compensation, personal injury and product liability.  In particularly complicated cases, such as a car accident at work that leaves a person permanently disabled, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin might be able to handle all aspects of the case from personal injury to Workers' Compensation to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application.

Our North Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyers

Attorney Rick Fleming

The Social Security Disability Team at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is headed by Attorney Rick Fleming, a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. Board Certified Specialists are recognized by the North Carolina State Bar as having special knowledge and proficiency in Social Security Disability Law.  North Carolina is one of only 18 states to offer a legal certification program.

Mr. Fleming has more than eight years of experience practicing Social Security Disability Law in North Carolina. He is also bilingual, with fluency in both Spanish and English. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he taught elementary school in Guatemala, lived in Ecuador and taught college students in the United States both English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish. He has also discussed legal topics at various Hispanic and Latino events and on several local Spanish-language radio programs.

Mr. Fleming currently serves as Chair of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice's (NCAJ) Disability Advocacy Section (DAS), and has been on the Executive Committee for more than five years. Mr. Fleming is also a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).

He is assisted by Attorney Crystal Rouse, who worked as an examiner for the Disability Determination Services (DDS) for eight years before becoming a Social Security Disability attorney in 2008. As an examiner, she decided the relative merits of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims and determined which claims to approve for benefits. She was certified as "Level II" examiner, meaning she was also involved in reconsiderations and conducting continuing disability reviews. In addition to Social Security law, Ms. Rouse has practiced in the areas of debtor/creditor mediation, domestic violence and employment securities law.

Several of our paralegals in the Social Security Department have at least six years of experience as Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiners for the Social Security Administration (SSA).  Some of them were certified as "Level II" examiners, meaning they also were involved in reconsiderations and conducting continuing disability reviews.

Attorney Crystal Rouse

Attorney Crystal Rouse spent eight years as a Disability Determinations Services Examiner for the Social Security Administration, rising to "Level II." As a Level II examiner, Ms. Rouse not only determined the merits of Supplemental Security Income(SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) initial applications, but was also active in the reconsideration process and conducting continuing disability reviews. In addition to Social Security law, Ms. Rouse has practiced in the areas of debtor/creditor mediation, domestic violence and employment securities law.

It was her experience as a Disability Determinations Services (DDS) Examiner that set her on the path to becoming a Social Security Disability lawyer.

"I enjoyed working in an arena where I could interact with claimants and do a bit of advocacy," she explained. "But after three years I came to realize that I could help people more as a lawyer.”

She continued to work as a disability examiner during the day, while attending North Carolina Central University School of Law in the evening and on weekends.

"Now, I'm in a situation where I can really be a voice for the people," she said.  "I can't tell you how many times people have told me how much anxiety they had about the hearing process. Afterwards, they thanked me for making the process more tolerable. Going to a hearing may never be a pleasant experience, but at least I was able to make it more palatable for them.”

Ms. Rouse is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and the Wake County Bar Association.

North Carolina Social Security Disability Paralegals:

Shannon Berndt

Before coming to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Shannon Berndt spent 11 years as a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner for the Social Security Administration (SSA), rising to "Level II.”  As a Level II examiner, Ms. Berndt not only determined the merits of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) initial applications, but was also active in the reconsideration process and conducting continuing disability reviews.

"It is a very long process and a lot of people who don't get help get left behind in the system," she noted. "Due to our team's experience, we have a good idea about what might and might not get approved by Disability Determination Services (DDS).”

Ms. Berndt said she came to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin specifically to work with Attorney Rick Fleming.

"If my mother needed Social Security, I would send her to Rick Fleming," Ms. Berndt said. "People tell me I have to say that because I work here. I tell them I don't say that because I work here — I work here because I can say that.

"Rick has a very high sense of integrity. Being recognized by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law, and doing that for the last eight years, he has a lot of experience.”

Cameron Boyette

Before coming to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Cameron Boyette spent six years as a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner for the Social Security Administration (SSA), where he determined the merits of initial applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

"There are very strict guidelines a person has to meet to get disability benefits," he said.  "You can educate yourself on Social Security, but it is easy to miss deadlines for appeals, or you can get a decision that you think is in your best interest, but it is not."

"Plus, if you have a hearing before a judge, an experienced Social Security attorney, such as Rick Fleming, can likely argue a case better than you can.”

Mr. Boyette gets personal satisfaction from helping clients get the benefits they may deserve.

"A lot of people are disabled but they don't fit within the strict guidelines. Those are the cases I enjoy helping the most. Even while at Disability Determination Services (DDS), I liked to fight for people who I felt deserved the help.”

Andrea Davis

Directly before joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Andrea Davis spent more than 10 years as a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner for the Social Security Administration (SSA), where she determined the merits of initial applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

"I've worked at Disability Determination Services (DDS) for 10 years and I know the climate and how they do things," she said. "Examiners can make decisions a lot faster if they don't have to wade through a lot of unnecessary information.

"Having a lawyer, especially one who specializes in Social Security Disability, may make your case a whole lot easier to move through the system because lawyers know what's important in an application, and what can be left out.”

Ms. Davis has an undergraduate degree in biology from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an undergraduate, she worked as a pharmaceutical technician, where she gained an appreciation for the effect injuries, illnesses and medications can have on a person's ability to work. Between undergraduate and graduate school, she worked directly with low-income clients for the Durham County Department of Social Services.

Kevin Midkiff

Before coming to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Kevin Midkiff spent six years as a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner for the Social Security Administration (SSA), rising to "Level II.”  As a Level II examiner, Midkiff not only determined the merits of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) initial applications, but was also active in the reconsideration process and conducting continuing disability reviews.

"I think people should trust the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin because of our experience," Mr. Midkiff said. "Attorney Rick Fleming is recognized by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. And he has people in his corner who worked at Disability Determination Services (DDS) and really know the programs very well.”

The best part of his job, Mr. Midkiff said, is helping people who may not have the expertise to help themselves.

"Most of the folks we deal with are hardworking individuals who for some reason — be it illness or injury — can't work anymore and just don't know how to advocate for themselves," he said.

North Carolina Social Security Disability Case Managers:

Raquel Abad

Before joining the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Raquel Abad served as a bilingual (Spanish/English) legal assistant for 11 years in New York. Her responsibilities ranged from helping people complete intake forms to translating complex medical documents and settlement packages.

Ms. Abad's current position within the Social Security Disability Department involves contacting clients routinely to assess their status and ensure they are following-up with all their medical appointments.

"I'm proud of the fact that I can work on a one-to-one level with clients and that they know I will go the extra mile for them," she said.

Ms. Abad understands how hard it can be for disabled people to advocate for themselves.

"There are a lot of things a disabled person might not know about Social Security. Because of that they might only get a portion of what they are entitled to," she said. " In my experience, an experienced law firm is the best route for them to use to get the help they need. Our team will help them in anyway possible. We will do everything in our power to help them get a favorable result.”

Andrea Farrow

The team is ably assisted by Administrative Case Manager Andrea Farrow, who has more than 10 years of organizational experience. She began her tenure with the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin in October of 2006 as a receptionist, quickly advancing to her current position.

Ms. Farrow is responsible for maintaining all medical records, electronic data and personal files to ensure that no important piece of client information is overlooked or gets lost in the system.

"I love the fact that we are able to help people who can't help themselves," Ms. Farrow says. "People come to us who are down on their luck. They can't work, they are in pain, and we help them get the benefits they may deserve. It is an awesome thing.”

To Ms. Farrow, treating clients with respect is crucial.

"The main thing, of course, is trying to get a favorable result for the client — but we also try to build relationships; to make everyone feel like a person, not a case number," she said. "We really care about our clients. Above and beyond, we make sure they are taken care of.”

Dakida Ross

Before coming to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Dakida Ross spent almost two years as a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner for the Social Security Administration (SSA), where she determined the merits of initial applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

"At DDS there are very specific policies that must be met," she said. "If an applicant does not meet even one policy exactly, they could be disabled and still be denied benefits," she said. "It's easier for a lawyer to point out important facts of a case that may make a difference in its determination.

"You definitely shouldn't go at it by yourself. You need the experience and knowledge of an attorney behind you.”

While Ms. Ross enjoyed her tenure at the Disability Determination Services (DDS), she believed she could help people more as a case manager at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. Her current position involves maintaining regular client contact, making sure clients follow up with all their medical appointments and generally addressing their questions and concerns.

"I enjoy helping people feel comfortable with the process and building rapport with them," she said. "My goal is to give them a feeling of confidence and accomplishment, but still let them know that there is someone here to help.”

Ms. Ross has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va. As an undergraduate, she worked with at-risk youth and teens in both group homes and rehabilitation centers. It was there that she learned how rewarding it can be to help people reach their goals. She brings that conviction to her position as case manager for the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin.

"I really like assisting people and working with them one on one to help them reach their maximum potential," she said.