Suzanne Villalon

Suzanne Villalon

also known as Suzanne Villalon-Hinojosa

5.0
Rating: 9.3

Licensed for 35 years

Social Security & Disability Lawyer Practice Areas: Social Security
This attorney is currently not accepting new clients.
Reason: Government Attorney

About Suzanne

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Social Security & Disability 100%

I have helped social security claimants at all stages of the administrative review process as well as in federal court

31 years | 3,000 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 35 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1990

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Suzanne Villalon's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 5
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

Posted by Tammi | November 04, 2011

Suzanne was just great

I turned to Suzanne after a terrible experience with attorney Jennifer Schef. Right from the start Suzanne was very helpful and knowledgable. She helped me where my old attorney Jennifer C Schef who is the most unprofessional and rude attorney that I have ever met. Suzanne on the other hand was very... patient and professional. It was a big change from Attorney Jennfier Schef who covers up her lack of experience by being arrogant and threatening to her clients. Stay away from Attorney Jennifer Schef. I would strongly recommend Ms Villaion.

Posted by anonymous | July 05, 2011 | Social Security Disability

Suzanne Villalon Hinojosa, a Lawyer that you will want to represent you!

In my search to find an attorney to represent me, I found that all of the major players that do all of the high priced advertising would not even talk to me. It seems that the prerequisite to them accepting me as a client was to be totally destitute and I would have to do all of the legwork in buildi...ng my case. Suzanne was very understanding and explained to me all of the information that I would need to gather to help me win my case, She even obtained the medical records that we needed from the Hospital. We went to court and I was awarded my disability! Thank You Suzanne!

Posted by Rosario | January 12, 2011 | Social Security Disability

Choosing the right attorney makes a big difference

I have known Suzanne for many years. When I could no longer work and filed for my social security benefits I knew there was going to be the possibility of having to hire an attorney to represent me. I wanted Suzanne to represent me but I did not know how to approach the law firm. I felt like a fai...lure and so embarassed about my situation. When I heard she was on her own I felt it was meant to be that she represent me in my social security case. Suzanne would patiently listen to everything I had to say, she was always so professional and so knowledgble. She always returned my phone calls as soon as she could. I knew I was in good hands. When my husband and I went to my hearing as soon as we walked in the courtroom we were not even seated yet and the Judge was praising Suzanne's work and as he would read along he would say "good work counselor." Needless to say, I won my case and received a better back award than I had expected. I truly believe that Suzanne is an EXCELLENT attorney.

Posted by Charles | October 04, 2010

Social Security Disability Claim

Suzanne spent quite a bit of time with me in the office reviewing my case. She said that it appeared to be a very good one and went right to work. The end result was that the claim was approved so quickly I was quite confused at first. It would have been to her financial advantage for the whole pr...ocess to drag out for a while. Rather than that, everything was handled ASAP with no fooling around. My initial web research showed that Suzanne had good credentials and references. The time I spent in her office indicated that she was quite knowledgeable and experienced in this area of law. Any emails I sent were quickly responded to (often within minutes) and questions were clearly answered. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure and I am able to give her the highest recommendation. My family and I would like to thank her for everything she has done.

Posted by Ron | August 11, 2010 | Social Security Disability

Ron/Client, talks about Ms. Suzanne Villalon Hinojosa

First, Ms. Hinojosa was highly recommended to me; The 'highly recommended' Ms. Hinojosa was all that...and,....much more! Tried applying for SS benefits once, and, was denied. Then, attempted..a second time, with another attorney--and was denied, again. Maybe all the medical records & my condition, c...ould no longer be denied. Maybe, the heavens, the stars, the countenance of the world, all seemed to line up properly on the day I was approved for SS benefits; maybe not. I can tell you when Ms. Hinojosa took my case to social security, starting March, 2010--I was granted SS benefits near the end of July, 2010. And....A VERY SIZEABLE back-award that I had not ever, expected to happen; Honestly, I had no thoughts about that, whatsoever. I was on the phone alot with Ms. Hinojosa--and my sister, too, kept Ms. Hinojosa busy on the phone.(Always there in person, if not--would call you back right away.) Plus, if you have access to a computer, Ms. Hinojosa can, and...did, virtually chat with me(in real time)coordinating efforts and information necessary for SS review. I once, asked Ms. Hinojosa if she could meet me at her office to go over a couple a things and the next day...or, just a couple of days right after my request, we were in her conference room goin' over information. I will testify, on the Bible, any day of the week, that the above, is absolutely--true and correct. One can have nothing, but only-the absolute, best outcome possible for a SS benefits petition with Ms. Hinojosa as your lawyer. Thank you Ms. Hinojosa for assisting me with my 3rd SS benefits application. Ron, San Antonio, TX.

See All Client Reviews

Suzanne Villalon's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Suzanne
Thad Harkins headshot
Thad Harkins

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I know Suzanne has been helpful to many of the clients we've referred to her at her former firm, and know her to be an excellent lawyer with high credentials in helping folks with Social Security claims. Because our firm handles LTD insurance and other employee benefit claims as part of our employment and consumer law practice, we know how important it is for people with disabilities to have good experienced lawyers representing them."

John Andrew Fuentes headshot
John Fuentes

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have no reservations endorsing this lawyer's work. If you have a Social Security disability or related claim, she's the one you need to see."

John Robert Heard headshot
John Heard

Social Security & Disability lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Suzanne for over ten years and have worked closely with her on many legal matters. She combines great intelligence with high integrity, hard work and a fierce determination to win for her clients. I would highly recommend this lawyer to anyone seeking help with obtaining their disability benefits."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.3 (Superb)

Honors

2008

Board Certified in Social Security Disability Advocacy, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification

1987

Legal Professionalism Award, Law Student Division of the State Bar of Texas

Work Experience

2009 - 2010

Owner, Law Office of Suzanne Villalon Hinojosa

2007 - 2009

Partner, Social Security Law Firm

2000 - 2007

Managing Attorney, Social Security Law Firm

1996 - 1997

Lead Attorney on Workers' Compensation cases, Personal Injury Law Firm

1993 - 1996

Senior Staff Attorney, Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

1991 - 1993

Staff Attorney--Health Insurance, Office of Public Insurance Counsel

1990 - 1991

Assistant District Attorney, Hidalgo County District Attorney

1988 - 1989

Post Doctorial Fellow, University of Houston School of Law

1982 - 1984

Assistant Regional Director of Admissions, Princeton University

Associations

2012 - Present

US District Courts-Colorado

Admitted

2010 - Present

State Bar of Texas, Jury Service Committee

Committee Member

2010 - Present

U.S. District Courts-Eastern Division

Admitted

2004 - Present

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Admitted

2003 - Present

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

Admitted

2001 - Present

U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Admitted

2000 - Present

Court of Appeals for Veteran's Claims

Admitted

1990 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

Hidalgo County Bar Association

Member

San Antonio Bar Association

Member

Mexican American Bar Association of Texas

Member

2008 - 2009

National Hispanic Bar Association

Law Practice Management Section

Latino Diabetes Action Council of the American Diabetes Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Padalecki v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Kinney v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Valverde v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Hill v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Zamora v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Davis v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Harris v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Lopez v. Astrue

Secured remand back to SSA

Alcorta v. Barnhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Fields v. Barnhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Allen v. Barnhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Thompson-Hunter v. Barnhart

Reversed. Court ordered SSA to award benefits

Call v. Barhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Palmer v. Barnhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Mabry v. Barnhart

Secured remand back to SSA

Oettinger v. Barnhart

Remand

See More Legal Cases

Education

1989

University of Texas School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1982

Princeton University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

Social Security Disability Law Conference

Diabetes Update

2011

Social Security Disability 2011

Practical Considerations in Handling a Social Security Disability Case

2010

Social Security Disability Law Conference How to Win a Diabetes Case

2010

Diabetes Roundtable

Changes to the Endocrine Listings

2009

Social Security Disability Law Conference Listings Update

2009

Social Security Disability Law Conference More on Listings and Step 3: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2008

National MS Society Life Planning Expo Winning an MS case

2008

MELD Special Parent Support Group

Children's SSI

2008

5th Circuit Social Security Disability Law Conference

The addition of functional criteria to listings

2007

HNBA Annual Conference

Social Security Disability Practice

2007

12 Annual WILG Conference

Taxation of Social Security Benefits Offset by Workers' Compensation

2006

1st Annual Advanced Texas Administrative Law Seminar

Social Security , Ethical Responsibility

2005

Civil Justice Clinic: SSA Hearing Level

Do's and Don'ts

Publications

2011

The Road to Independence: 101 women's journeys to starting their own law firms Kicking and Screaming...Hardly

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution