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Ninth Circuit's SSDI Denial Reaffirmed
On May 21, 2025, the Ninth Circuit upheld the denial of SSDI benefits in Severns v. Bisignano (No. 24 4644). Severns applied for SSDI...
Prevent Workplace Conflicts with Authentic Relating
Running a business means dealing with people, and that means navigating human relationships, which can be messy. You might’ve seen it:...
Priscilla Presley’s Case Highlights the Risk of Elder Financial Abuse
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month , and Priscilla Presley’s current lawsuit is a stark example of how financial abuse can affect...
What Was Missing in the Thorlton Disability Case?
Context & Case Summary On February 11, 2025 , the Seventh Circuit affirmed the ALJ’s denial of Joshua Smitson’s Social Security...
Ninth Circuit: ALJs Can Reverse Course on Remand
An affirmance from the Ninth Circuit arose out of a Social Security remand on May 19, 2025. Years earlier, Johnson’s mental health...
Affordable Healthcare Options for Small Businesses
Traditional group health insurance premiums have skyrocketed. In 2024, small businesses paid an average of $8,951 per employee, according...
This Father’s Day, Protect What's Priceless®
Father’s Day is more than ties and tool sets—it’s an opportunity to give your family lasting peace of mind. Instead of a traditional gift...
Key Lessons from Pahl v. Bisignano
The Ninth Circuit’s recent opinion in Pahl v. Bisignano (May 16, 2025) reinforces two enduring themes in Social Security appeals: The...
Bankruptcy to Billions: Business Comebacks & Lessons Learned
When we hear "bankruptcy," most of us immediately think "failure." But for some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, bankruptcy...
Eighth Circuit Upholds ALJ Discretion in Disability Claims
In Cropper v. Dudek , the Eighth Circuit upheld the denial of disability benefits, reinforcing the Social Security Administration's (SSA)...
SSA Rule Changes Upheld: Lessons from Jones v. O’Malley
On July 12, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a pivotal decision in Jones v. O’Malley , affirming the denial of Joshua...
Pride Month: Estate Planning for LGBTQIA+ Families
As Pride Month begins, we celebrate the progress made toward equality while acknowledging that LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and...
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Business Financial Systems?
Do you feel like your business finances are a mystery only your bookkeeper understands? Are financial reports consistently late, making...
Ninth Circuit Win for Disability Claimants with Fibromyalgia and PTSD
Overview of Combest v. Dudek (9th Cir. 2025) In the 2025 case of Combest v. Dudek , the Ninth Circuit Court addressed the improper denial...
Tony Hsieh’s Estate Mistake
Imagine this: you've built a business empire worth hundreds of millions of dollars, transformed a city’s downtown, and touched countless...
Intellectual Property Essentials for Business Owners
Navigating the world of intellectual property (IP) can feel overwhelming, but understanding these fundamental legal protections is...
When Is a Victory Fee Too Much? A Deep Dive into Tucker v. Commissioner of Social Security
Attorney’s fees in Social Security disability cases under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) often spark debate, and frustration. While a 25% contingency...
Leaving a Legacy: Memorial Day & Estate Planning
Memorial Day is more than a day for barbecues and pool parties; it's a solemn occasion to honor the brave men and women who made the...
A Lesson in Explaining Residual Functional Capacity
We all know the importance of a well-reasoned residual functional capacity (RFC) determination. But what happens when an ALJ makes a...
How to Keep Business Data Safe When Employees Use Their Own Devices
The line between personal and professional lives has never been blurrier. With many employees now using their personal smartphones to...
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