I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus in 1992. Immediately I started my Law studies at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law where I got my Juris Doctor Degree in 1998. After passing the Bar Exams (Attorney & Notary Public) I was admitted to practice both areas of Law. I started working Immediately for a Law Firm specializing in Workers Compensation & Social Security Disability Cases. From 2001 to 2015 I had my Solo Firm practice in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico helping clients with their Workers Compensation & Social Security Disability claims. I moved to San Antonio, Texas in Summer 2015. I joined the Spencer Law Firm where I helped the main Attorney on her Workers Compensation, Personal Injury and Social Security cases. I joined the Khattar Law Firm in Summer of 2016 where I have been a Social Security Attorney since then. I have been married for the past 24 years and have three teenage boys. I enjoy going to the beach, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Hiking, Yoga, Kickboxing and going to the movies.
Attorney practice areas
- Workers Compensation
- Personal Injury
- Social Security Cases
Additional practice areas
- Knowledge of different local and federal laws
- Legal research, facts investigation, and evidence evaluation (legal discovery)
- Legal analytic work
- Ability to make decisions
- Drafting legal contracts, briefings, and documents
- Preparing legal arguments (written and orally)
- Provide legal counsel and advice to clients
- Federal administrative, local courts hearings experience
- Litigation experience
- Office administration and management
Experience
1996 – 1998
Role: Disability Attorney
Company: Manuel De Jesus Mangual, Esq
Place: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Description: Representing claimants before the Social Security Administration and the SSA Office of Hearings and Appeals for disability insurance benefits claims, overpayment, etc.
Representing claimants before Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund (Worker’s Compensation) for disability benefits. Great knowledge in medicine in view job performed.
1998 – 2001
Role: Attorney
Company: Puerto Rico Legal Services Corp
Place: Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Description: Representing clients in Puerto Rico Courts for criminal, custody, divorce, civil, etc. cases
2001 – 2015
Role: Solo Practitioner (Attorney) – Office Management
Company: Alberto J. Rafols Van Derdys, Esq
Description: Representing claimants before the Social Security Administration and SSA Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) for Disability Insurance Benefits, Old Age Benefits, Child Benefits, Retirement Benefits, Overpayment, etc. Preparing legal briefings and arguments at hearings. Providing counsel and advice to claimants. Advocating for positions at a trial or appellate counsel.
Representing claimants for STD/LTD benefits at different insurance companies and Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund (Worker’s Compensation/Disability benefits). Caseload, management, and decision-making upon entire case inventory.
- Member in Good Standing of the Puerto Rico Bar (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar)
- Member of the Puerto Rico Notary Association
- Member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives
- Registered Representative in Social Security Administration
2015 – 2017
Role: Legal Assistant
Company: The Spencer Law Firm
Place: San Antonio, Texas
2017 – 2020
Role: Social Security Disability Attorney
Company: Law Offices of Ed Goldner, P.C.
Place: San Antonio, Texas Area
2020 – 2021
Role: Social Security Attorney & PI Case Manager
Company: Jim Adler & Associates
Place: San Antonio, Texas, United States
2015 – Present
Role: Social Security & Document Review Attorney / Independent Contractor
Company: Alberto J. Rafols, Esq
Place: San Antonio, Texas Area
Description: Representing claimants for disability insurance benefits from Social Security Administration at the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Independent contractor.
Legal Document Reviewer Attorney
Education
1987 – 1992
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
1992 – 1995
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law
Juris Doctor, Law
Juris Doctor Degree, ABA-accredited Law School
Jurisdictions Admitted to practice
- Attorney
- Notary Public
Professional Assosiations
- Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Bar (Supreme Court)
- American Association of Notaries
Languages
- English (Full professional proficiency)
- Spanish (Native)