Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
3.9 /5.0
23 Client Reviews
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Paulette Francine Balin
also known as Paulette Balin
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About Paulette
Biography
Paulette F. Balin is the Principal Attorney at Balin Law, LLC, an Ohio Social Security Disability law firm, founded in 1980. Attorney Balin solely focuses on Social Security Disability. She has broad experience and success in handling Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases.
Paulette is admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ohio and Florida Supreme Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and has practiced at all administrative and Federal Court levels.
Balin Law handles disability cases including, but not limited to, the following impairments: arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, sciatica, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, emphysema, MS, kidney disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, interstitial cystitis, scleroderma, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), fatigue, seizures, migraine headaches, neuropathy, liver disease, lupus, insomnia, chronic pain syndrome (CRPS), schizophrenia, pressure induced urticaria, traumatic brain injury (TBI), ADHD, autism, Lyme disease, peripheral neuropathy, HIV, ankylosing spondylitis, oppositional defiant disorder, PTSD, hemophilia, obesity, necrotizing fasciitis, fibromyalgia, Long COVID, trigeminal neuralgia, and more.
Paulette is a frequent speaker on disability law and appears at many Multiple Sclerosis (MS), HIV, and Fibromyalgia support groups and conferences. She is also a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, and a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR).
We treat each client with respect and compassion. When we commit to a client's meritorious case, we carefully and tirelessly develop the administrative record. The process of filing for disability can be daunting and frustrating, so we will actually file the SSD application online for our clients. We will pursue the disability claim at the initial, reconsideration, and hearing levels as well as at the Appeals Council. We are one of the few firms which will litigate disability cases in Federal District Court where we have had a 75% win-rate.
We stay in constant communication with the client. We provide solutions to disability-related problems that may come up in the disability process including referrals to facilities that can assist with securing housing and medical care. For example, if a claimant is facing foreclosure, we can submit a "dire need" request to have the court expidite the case.
There is nothing better than wisdom borne of experience. Paulette has truly been in the trenches for over 40 years practicing disability law. While every case is different, most standard problems have been addressed at some point in her career and she can bring a unique perspective. The combination of experience, compassion, and diligence allows Paulette and her firm of ace lawyers to be equipped to handle even the most difficult cases and bring home a win for our clients.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Appeals
33%
Life Insurance
33%
Social Security & Disability
33%
48 years
Other
1%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-25%
Awards
2017
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 45 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Licensed in Ohio for 47 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Paulette online.
Paulette Francine Balin's Reviews
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Showing 11 - 14 of 14 reviews
Posted by anonymous | January 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability
Very disappointed...never felt represented.
Lost a SSDI case for the second time. I was on my own for the first one, thought Balin Law would make a difference for me on my appeal for the second one. My Balin case worker never called me, only responded to me when I sent in pertinent info. I was never contacted on how to complete paperwork, how ...
Paulette Balin
Replied last January 11, 2017Dear Anonymous, Unfortunately, winning is much harder with previous denial unless substantial worsening of condition and/ or landmark age change if physical case. We are sorry to hear about your experience with one of our case workers. We strive to exceed client expectations and it appears we have not met yours. We also encourage our clients to never give up. Please don't hesitate to contact us so we can discuss your options moving forward. We also want to learn more about your experience with us so we can make improvements where necessary. (866) 492-2546 or [email protected]
Posted by matt | October 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability
they take no pride or personalism in what they do.
This attorney should should be barred from defending people for SSI. I hired this lawyer to handle my case and lost souly due to her and her so called teams unprofessional actions and poor representation.when she lost my case she didn't even have the decency to call me and explain why or give me advi...
Paulette Balin
Replied last October 25, 2016Unfortunately, your case had an unfavorable decision after its second application and the Judge assigned to your case did not see you fit for disability as we did, which is why we decided to take on the case in the first place. We did try and manage your expectations as we had to prove a worsening condition for disability from the time you worked but unfortunately could not prove that. Our firm does fight tooth and nail for all of our clients as we handle cases from the Initial Claim all the way to Federal Court and we have a copious amount of highly favorable reviews (http://www.balinlaw.com/testimonials/). I am happy to speak with you directly on this matter if you wish to discuss this further and we will take your review and your perspective into consideration with future clients we serve.
Posted by anonymous | September 27, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Social Security Disability
Neglects the case then accuses clients of faking when their disabilities prove inconvenient for the courtroom
This attorney knew next to nothing about my SSDI case and the health issues going into it, ultimately telling me I was a bad client because I couldn't hold up my head or speak up well during the hearing--both issues I had brought up with the case worker on multiple occasions leading up to the hearing...
Paulette Balin
Replied last September 27, 2016Dear Anonymous, I am truly sorry to hear of your experience with our firm. It is our priority to believe in our clients, take on meritorious cases which we felt yours was, and help our clients every step of the way. You mention that this is not the first time you've been let down as it seems you've been let down with other firms in your past and I want to apologize that this has been such an ongoing process for you and that nothing has been resolved in your favor. Please contact me directly so we can discuss further and look at your options moving forward (440) 257-0096 Sincerely, Paulette Balin
Posted by anonymous | April 30, 2013 | Social Security Disability
GREEDY LAWYER ALERT
When I initially filed my appeal for social security, the contract was for 25 percent of whatever I received in back benefits. After 6 LONG years, the case was won. Balin received 14 grand plus change taken directly out of what I was owed. Today I get papers that they are requesting AN ADDITIONAL 10 ...
Paulette Francine Balin's Lawyer Endorsements
"Paulette has been practicing law for nearly 40 years and has become a titan in the Social Security disability field. She took me in as a young associate 12 years ago and as my greatest mentor, I continue to benefit daily from her overflowing fountain of wisdom. She is so well-versed in the law that sometimes it seems as though she wrote it herself. She is a relentless advocate for the disabled and will leave no stone unturned. She is able to flawlessly and concisely present a case in both the courtroom and in her brief writing. She is highly respected by the federal judiciary, attorneys, and most importantly, her clients. She truly cares about the well-being of her clients and she is definitely someone you want fighting for you. There is no other disability attorney in the country that I would recommend more highly than Attorney Balin."
Svetlana Schreiber
Social Security & Disability lawyer | Mar 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Ms Balin is a consummate professional in social security law because she is able to use her skills, intelligence and solid knowledge of medicine to advocate and win big awards for her social security clients and irrevocably change their lives for the better. Paulette wins her cases, no matter how tough."
"I have known Paulette Balin for over 37 years when we first worked together at Berger and Kirschenbaum. In 1980, she began her own practice and has worked tirelessly since then, advocating for her clients as well as for people with disabilities in general. Over those many years, my respect for her has increased immeasurably. Not only is she a loyal and steadfast friend, but she extends that very same commitment to her clients, guiding them through the often frustrating process of applying and appealing their claims at all four levels of the administrative process and, if necessary, even to Federal Court. I would call her a lawyer’s lawyer because she exemplifies what is best about the practice of Social Security disability law, balancing her devotion to her clients while offering keen insight into their cases, and, for other attorneys, she presents a model of long term experience and crucial knowledge of legal acumen. She is dynamic and gifted and a tenacious advocate for her clients."
"Paulette is one of the most effective disability litigators I've met to date. She is a zealous advocate for her Social Security clients at the initial level, the reconsideration level, the hearing level, the Appeals Council, and in federal court litigation. I wholeheartedly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Paulette has dedicated most of her career to representing clients before the Social Security Administration for the pursuit of disability benefits. Her knowledge base and passion makes her stand apart from other lawyers in the community. Paulette and her law firm can assist with all aspects of disability ligation."
Chad Delesk
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Matthew Shupe
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Experience
Honors
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
1980 - Present
Principal, Balin Law, LLC
1900 - Present
Attorney, Balin Law, LLC
Associations
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Lake County Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Florida Bar Association
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
Education
1978
Washington University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
Case Western Reserve University
BA
Speaking Engagements
2017
Languages
English
Spanish
French