Michelle Allen Joins NYCOMPLAW to Lead Our Social Security Disability Department

NYCOMPLAW is pleased to announce that former Chief Hearing Office Administrative Law Judge Michelle Allen has joined the firm as head of our Social Security Disability Department. Michelle comes to us after nearly a decade of service at the Social Security Administration’s Central Islip, New York, office.

After her appointment in 2016, Michelle presided over Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearings in Queens, Long Island, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Over the course of her judicial career, she decided over thousands of claims, issuing well over 200 decisions a year. That work has given her an unparalleled understanding of disability law, medical-vocationalist analysis, and hearing procedure. Michelle graduated from Brooklyn Law School and has been a member of the New York bar since 1994. Prior to her 2016 appointment, Michelle served as a Workers’ Compensation attorney. 

Michelle’s background on the federal bench gives our clients an insider’s perspective on how disability claims are decided. She knows what judges look for in the evidence and medical opinions, and she brings that knowledge to every case we prepare, making sure each one is thoroughly documented and clearly presented. She also understands how a workers’ compensation claim and a Social Security Disability claim can affect one another, which matters for the many injured workers who pursue both at once. 

Michelle’s arrival also marks an exciting new step for our firm. Building on the strong foundation of our Social Security Disability practice, she is introducing new methods for preparing and presenting claims, drawn from what she found most persuasive during her time as a judge. We’re proud to welcome her to our team and look forward to all she will accomplish for the people we serve.

Whether you are applying for benefits for the first time, appealing a denial, or waiting for a hearing, our Social Security Disability Department is ready to help. Call NYCOMPLAW at (631) 665-0609 or reach us through our contact form.

If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury, don’t wait to protect your rights and your future. Call 866-557-7500 for a free and confidential consultation.

Navigating the intersection of federal 9/11 claims, New York State Workers’ Compensation, and municipal disability pensions require specialized legal strategy. At McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson & Riordan, LLP, our legal team handles every step of the process on your behalf:

1. Establishing Exposure Proof: We locate historical employment records, utility bills, lease agreements, affidavits, or transcripts proving your presence in Lower Manhattan during the qualification period.
2. WTCHP Certification Support: We guide you through enrollment in the World Trade Center Health Program so your medical conditions are officially certified.
3. Maximizing VCF Financial Awards: We document non-economic losses (pain and suffering) and economic losses (lost wages, loss of union pension accruals, and medical expenses) to secure full compensation.
4. Coordinating Disability & Workers’ Comp Benefits: We integrate VCF awards with New York Workers’ Compensation and municipal disability pensions so your rights are protected across all legal avenues.
5. Supporting Families with Wrongful Death Claims: We assist grieving families who lost a loved one to a 9/11-related illness in securing survivor benefits and wrongful death compensation.

On this 25th anniversary, we reaffirm our dedication to the individuals and families who gave so much to New York and our nation. If you or a family member served, lived, or worked in Lower Manhattan in the months following September 11, 2001, you may be entitled to lifetime medical monitoring and tax-free financial compensation.

Contact McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson & Riordan, LLP today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Let our experienced legal team manage the details so you can focus on your health and family.