Nora C. Staum

I hired Nora Staum to represent me in a Social Security disability case. We met me in one of those small offices that can be rented by the hour or the day shared by other "professionals". When she finally called me in I was allowed to say very little while she rushed through her pitch and gave me v...arious photocopied papers to read on my own time. I expected this lady would help me file and, if necessary, litigate my disability case, however after we signed an agreement granting her a percentage of my award she disappeared. DO NOT HIRE THIS WOMAN. She did not do anything for me. She did not respond to emails or call back requests. I had to do all my own research and get all my own medical records and complete and file all my own applications with Social Security. The one thing her office did was send Social Security a letter advising them of our agreement to ensure she would get a percentage of my award. That was it! She has an AOL email address and a phone number you can call. The emails are NEVER answered, and an assistant sometimes answers her phone but all she'll tell you is that Nora is in court all day or that Nora is out or on the phone. I never ever spoke with Nora again after our brief initial office contact. After I became insistent on speaking to my lawyer, her assistant started disappearing too, and I was only allowed to speak with a totally inept warm body who would take a message that was never returned by Nora, her assistant or anyone. I want people know about my experience because this woman was paid a percentage of my award, which I consider totally unfair because they did not do a thing to earn it. I won my case on a first time application through my own efforts. I did all the work myself and had zero help from this woman. I hope my experience will help someone make a better decision when hiring a disability lawyer. That's all!