Blogs
Double check Social Security’s denial of benefits based on your immigration status
Don’t lose hope, at least initially, if Social Security tells you that they are denying you benefits because of your immigration status. I have seen
Is someone “literate” if he or she is able to pass the naturalization exam?
Last week I had a new situation, at least new for me. I was representing a native Spanish speaker. I had conducted all of our
Alzheimer’s Caregiver support group to begin on Second Life
As I was reviewing my blog just now, I realized that I have not posted in quite a while. I am now a caregiver for
Continuing Legal Education seminar on attorneys with disabilities offered in Second Life
In February I became president of the Second Life® Bar Association. I am excited about the upcoming year and hope to bring new educational content
It is no fun being disabled
Perhaps due to California’s budget problems, it seems that the disabled are an easy target. I have received comments on my blog accusing the disabled
Are survivors divorced spouse’s benefits retroactive?
My new motto is to file early and often. It can be detrimental to wait and file for Social Security disability benefits. Perhaps I am

How to change your name in California, Part One
My immigration clients often end up with documents that have different names on them. They will have a passport with one name and a driver’s

Social Security field offices closed but you may still apply for disability
I drove by the Vallejo field office the other day and saw this sign that the field office is closed. It is closed just like

Giving talk in Benicia on Immigration law
On November 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., I will be giving a talk on Immigration Law along with Brett Snider, attorney and director of legal

When our own government tortures
More often that not, I feel like I live in a dystopian novel. Unfortunately the events of today are real. Over the past year I
End of Year Giving Safety
The year of 2015 is drawing to a close. Immigrants and citizens alike receive spam email as well as legitimate email from organizations requesting donations.
Asylum denied to North Korean due to firm resettlement in South Korea
May a citizen of North Korea be granted political asylum despite being firmly resettled in South Korea? The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently said,

