When Advocacy Becomes “Adversarial”: Navigating Retaliation and Judicial Overreach in the Disability Hearing Process (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Meghan Gallo | GCC Law firm

Meghan Gallo is a dedicated regional attorney at GCC Law firm in Rogers, Arkansas, with a practice extending across states in the Midwest and the South. With 15 years of experience, Meghan specializes in representing disabled individuals before the Social Security Administration and in Federal Court. She earned her undergraduate business degree from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management before moving to Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law. There, she excelled academically, making the Dean’s List and earning her Juris Doctorate in 2010.

Meghan’s practice is defined by her unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of the disabled. Her dedication to taking on complex legal challenges is exemplified by her vigorous efforts to address vocational expert issues, where she has fought tirelessly to ensure that her clients receive fair treatment under the law. Meghan’s determination to navigate and resolve intricate legal matters showcases her zeal as an advocate for those she represents.

In addition to her legal work, Meghan is also a proud parent of a disabled child, providing her with valuable insights into the intricacies of living with a disability. This personal experience, combined with her professional expertise, strengthens her resolve to fight for the rights and well-being of her clients.

Outside of her legal practice, Meghan is an accomplished outdoors enthusiast. She has been granted a fellowship in the Cave Research Foundation, reflecting her deep passion for exploration and discovery. Meghan and her family reside in Rogers, Arkansas, where she and her family enjoy caving and exploring the natural beauty of the region.

Asha Sharma | Disability Partners, PLLC

Asha has been an attorney since 1991 and has practiced Social Security Disability law since 2005. She has handled more than a thousand Social Security Disability hearings. Asha has done many presentations about the disability process. She is a member of the National Organization for Social Security Claims Representatives and has presented to this organization multiple times. She was co-chair of the Social Security Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Asha has had a wide range of experience in the law. For ten years, she worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services in disability health, children’s mental health, and other areas. She was an Adjunct Professor at the William Mitchell School of Law from 2004 to 2006 and was a volunteer mediator at Ramsey County,

Asha graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she was an editor at the Minnesota Law Review. Upon graduation, she clerked for the Minnesota 3rd District Court (Rochester, MN) and later at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Asha is a lifelong Midwesterner: she was born and raised in Wisconsin and has lived in Minnesota for more than 30 years. She enjoys travel, reading, hiking, and spending time with family, especially spoiling her grandkids, nieces, and nephews.

Laura Melnick | Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)

Laura Melnick is the Lead Economic Justice Attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), where she supervises the East Metro Economic Justice Unit and champions legal access for low-income communities. With many years of experience in legal aid, Laura has built a career rooted in advocacy, compassion, and systemic impact. Since 2016, she has led SMRLS’s economic justice initiatives, focusing on issues like housing, employment, and public benefits. Laura earned her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and completed her undergraduate studies at Carleton College. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equitable access to justice, and she is widely respected for her strategic litigation skills and empathetic client advocacy.

Ed Olson | Olinsky Law Group

Ed Olson has been representing individuals claiming Social Security disability benefits since 1991. He has successfully represented clients at all levels of the Social Security Administration’s disability claim process, from the initial application stage through the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ed frequently speaks to groups and organizations regarding the Social Security disability claim process, and has been a featured speaker at several meetings of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).

I. Zealous Advocacy vs. Administrative Retaliation in SSA Hearings | 3:00pm – 3:20pm

II. Strategies for Protecting the Record Amid Judicial Hostility | 3:20pm – 3:40pm

III. Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Due Process in Adjudication | 3:40pm – 4:00pm