Josserand, Carrie E.

I have been an attorney since 1983. My practice consists of handling Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) appeals for people with disabilities in the Bay Area. I am experienced in handling all levels of appeals from the administrative process to actions in federal court.

I was a director of a legal services department in a non-profit agency for more than 10 years. I managed other attorneys and paralegals handling Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) appeals as well as having my own caseload. I entered into private practice in 1993 and established my own law office in 1998.

Between the years of 1995 – 2011, I was the Chair of the Social Security Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association for 7 of those years. My job was to create educational and informational programs throughout the year for other Social Security attorneys and social workers in Santa Clara County.

The process of appealing a denial for disability benefits can be very challenging for people who experience chronic pain or who have been forced to live with a physical or mental disability. No one plans to be disabled. People would like to work if they could. Often people get lost in a Social Security "system" which requires many forms to complete and deadlines to meet. I find my work most gratifying when I can help clients secure their disability benefits and assist them in the process of appealing when their applications for benefits have been denied.