Compassionate Help for Your Disability Claim

When an illness, injury, or disability makes it hard to work, seeking Social Security Disability benefits can feel overwhelming. The forms, medical records, deadlines, and appeals process can add stress at a time when you need support most.

At Spector & Lenz, P.C., we provide clear, personal guidance for people seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. We take time to listen, explain your options in plain language, and help you understand what comes next.

Every client has the opportunity to speak with an attorney. As a woman-owned disability law firm, we believe you deserve attentive representation, honest answers, and a legal team that treats you with dignity and respect.

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Help at Every Stage

Whether you are applying for benefits for the first time or appealing a denial, our team is here to help you navigate the process.

We assist with:

  • Preparing SSDI and SSI applications
  • Gathering medical records and other supporting documentation
  • Completing forms and responding to Social Security requests
  • Preparing for and attending agency hearings
  • Appeals before the Social Security Administration
  • Federal court appeals when a case merits further review
  • SSI claims for children and disability claims for adult children

A denial does not necessarily mean the end of your claim. Many people are denied initially, often for reasons that can be addressed through a careful appeal. We can take a fresh look at your case, explain the options available to you, and give you straightforward guidance about the next steps.

Our Firm

A Team That Takes Your Case Seriously

Social Security disability claims are personal. Behind every file is a person or family facing real health, financial, and day-to-day challenges.

Our attorneys and staff work together to keep your case organized and moving forward. We can help gather documents, request records from medical providers, complete forms, and help you stay on track. Our attorneys oversee the legal strategy, represent clients during the appeals process, and pursue further review when appropriate.

Meet our team:

Attorney
Deborah Spector is the lead attorney and managing partner at Spector and Lenz. Since the beginning of her career in legal services, and continuing in private practice, Deborah has represented Social Security and SSI claimants in disability adjudications and on judicial review for over 40 years. Deborah earned a Bachelor of Arts at Stanford University and a Juris Doctor at the DePaul University College of Law. She is admitted to practice before:
• The Supreme Court of the State of Illinois
• The Supreme Court of the United States
• The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• The United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
• The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
• The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
• The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Deborah has lived in Oak Park, Illinois since 1981. She has five grown children, and lives with her dog Chana. She gives her time generously to her congregation and community.

Practice Areas

  • Social Security Disability & Federal Court Litigation 100%

Education

  • DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D.
  • Stanford University, Stanford, California
    • B.A., Bachelor of Arts

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 1977

Languages

  • English

Attorney
Joseph Sellers is a native of Chicago. He is our Senior Federal Litigation Attorney and has represented clients before administrative law judges as well as in federal court for over ten years. Joseph has represented hundreds of clients in federal district courts in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Michigan, appealing Social Security denials for adults and children. He also represents clients in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on appellate review. Joseph received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Carnegie-Mellon University and went on to earn a Juris Doctor from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is admitted to practice before:
• State of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for Seventh Circuit
• Northern District of Illinois
• Central District of Illinois
• Southern District of Illinois
• Northern District of Indiana
• Western District of Michigan
• Western District of Wisconsin

Practice Areas

  • Social Security Disability, ERISA, & Federal Court Litigation 100%

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D. – 2010
  • Carnegie-Mellon University
    • B.A.
    • Major: Creative Writing
    • Major: History

Bar Admission

  • Illinois

Languages

  • English

Classes And Seminars

  • Federal Court Primer and Practice Tips, Chicago Bar Association, 2022

Attorney
Justin Poh is an associate attorney at Spector and Lenz. Justin focuses on administrative litigation, primarily before the Social Security Administration. Prior to his work with us, Justin worked in the City of Chicago Law Department.
Justin earned his Juris Doctor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He received Dean’s List honors there, as well as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. Justin is admitted to practice in Illinois and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Practice Areas

  • Social Security Disability 100%

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D.
    • Honors: Dean’s List
    • Honors: CALI Excellence for the Future Award

Bar Admission

  • Illinois

Languages

  • English

Attorney

Ryan Tank is an attorney who has represented dozens of clients in federal district courts appealing Social Security denials for adults and children. Ryan previously worked as an attorney advisor for Social Security’s Office of Hearings Operations, where disability hearings are held before administrative law judges. Prior to that he worked for a general practice law firm in downstate Illinois.

Ryan earned a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he served as a research assistant to two law professors and was a seven-time winner of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University. Ryan is admitted to practice before:

  • State of Illinois
  • Northern District of Illinois
  • Central District of Illinois

Practice Areas

  • Social Security Disability & Federal Court Litigation 100%

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
    • J.D.
    • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
    • B.S.
    • Major: Political Science
    • Major: Philosophy

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 2017

Honors

  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award

Professional Association

  • National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
  • Chicago Bar Association

Languages

  • English

Classes And Seminars

  • Federal Court Primer and Practice Tips, Chicago Bar Association, 2022

Staff

Nichole Lang, our office manager, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois. She has developed a wealth of knowledge in the area of Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI adjudications. Nichole is skilled in developing and maintaining long-term relationships with our clients as well as providing expertise with the adjudication and appeal process.

Staff

Deborah H. Holdstein received a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University. She earned the M.A. and PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After many years of teaching at the College level, Holdstein joined Spector and Lenz as a legal assistant. Like her colleagues, she works closely with clients throughout the process of their respective claims, assisting them, working with our attorneys, and troubleshooting issues that arise. Holdstein provides support to clients as a primary point of contact, communicating clearly and in a timely way.

Staff

Allie Hoogerwerf received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope College. Allie works closely with clients throughout the application, reconsideration, and hearing stages of their disability claims, serving as a primary point of contact while assisting the attorneys in developing each case. She is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance, clear communication, and personalized support to help clients navigate every step of the process.

Staff

Marcia holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree from Butler University.  Her role is to secure and organize our clients’ medical records, which serve as key support for Social Security Disability cases.

Staff

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Staff

COMING SOON

We aim to be approachable, responsive, and prepared to answer your questions honestly. You should not have to face a complex government process without knowing where you stand.

Experience With Federal Appeals

Some disability cases require review beyond the administrative appeals process. Spector & Lenz has substantial experience representing clients in Social Security disability appeals in federal court.

Our firm has handled thousands of disability cases, including matters referred by other law firms. We have represented clients in U.S. District Courts including the:

  • Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
  • Northern District of Indiana
  • Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin
  • Western District of Michigan
  • Western District of Tennessee

We have also represented clients before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth and Seventh Circuits.

Federal litigation may not be the right path for every case. We can explain the process, review the issues carefully, and advocate for your rights at the next level when there is legal merit.

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Disability Benefits We Handle

Our clients come from many backgrounds and live with a wide range of physical, developmental, and mental health conditions. What they often share is a need for financial stability when a disability prevents them from working.

Our practice includes:

We cannot promise an outcome, but we can promise to treat your case with care, communicate clearly, and advocate for you throughout the process.

Talk With Our Team

You do not have to have every document or answer before reaching out. If you have been denied benefits, are considering an application, or are unsure what to do next, we are ready to listen.

Spector & Lenz offers free initial consultations and does not charge upfront attorney fees for Social Security disability cases. Se habla español.

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