Say It Better: Coaching Claimants Without Putting Words in Their Mouth – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Freddrick Effinger, Principal Attorney | Effinger Law

Freddie Effinger, the principle attorney at Effinger Law and Subject Matter Advisor for LexMed.ai, is an experienced advocate in Social Security Disability law, with more than 15 years of expertise in guiding clients through the disability claims process.

• Education & Credentials

He earned his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2008 and a B.A. from Oberlin College in 2005. He was admitted to the Alabama bar and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in 2009, and has been a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution since 2019.

• Recognition & Leadership

He has served as chair of the Disability Section of the Alabama State Bar.

• Professional Involvement

Now, in addition to being a full-time representative for clients, he also teaches Disability Benefits Law at the University of Alabama and Cumberland School of Law and frequently speaks at legal conferences.

• Experience

His career includes diverse legal roles, but he has focused primarily on Social Security Disability since starting at the SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations in 2010 where he worked as an attorney advisor for nine years before representing clients directly. Outside of work, Freddie enjoys spending time with two boys, his fiancee’, his many animal children – including his two dogs, 4 chickens, and two pygmy goats – and pursuing hobbies like writing, karaoke, and “vibe coding”.

SESSION 1 – Say It Better: Coaching Claimants Without Putting Words in Their Mouth | 5:00pm – 6:00pm

This session focuses on the often-overlooked work that happens before the hearing—the preparation that can make or break a case. We will walk through practical strategies for gathering complete medical records, identifying and addressing “hot button” issues such as treatment gaps, DAA, and amended onset dates, and ensuring the file reflects accurate and consistent information.

The session also dives into effective claimant preparation: how to discuss sensitive topics, guide clients away from overexaggeration or underselling, and help them present their story with clarity, confidence, and dignity. Attendees will learn how to structure pre-hearing calls, reinforce key themes, and conduct meaningful mock hearings, including the use of recorded questions to simulate real hearing conditions.

Attendees will leave with a repeatable framework to better prepare their clients, reduce surprises at hearing, and improve overall case outcomes.