Social Security Disability claims in Texas involve a multi-step administrative process that begins with an application to the Social Security Administration and can proceed through reconsideration, an administrative law judge hearing, the Appeals Council, and federal court review. Texas residents pursuing SSDI or SSI benefits often face lengthy processing times and high initial denial rates, making experienced legal representation a significant factor in the outcome of a claim.
1. Morgan Weisbrod
Managing Partner: Carl M. Weisbrod
Founded: 1976
Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 373-3761
Website: https://www.morganweisbrod.com
Office Locations:
- Dallas: 11551 Forest Central Drive, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243 | (214) 373-3761
Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, SSI, Veterans Disability Benefits
Firm Size: Multiple attorneys with over 150 years of combined legal experience
Fee Structure: Contingency fee only; no fee unless benefits are awarded
Languages: English
About the Firm: Morgan Weisbrod has focused its practice on Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims since 1976, limiting its representation exclusively to disability claimants. The firm serves individuals throughout Texas from its Dallas office, providing direct attorney-client contact rather than routing cases through non-attorney staff. The firm’s attorneys are board certified in Social Security Disability law and have represented thousands of Texans at every stage of the administrative and federal court appeals process. The firm also handles VA Veterans’ Disability Benefits for claimants whose disabling conditions are connected to military service. Free case evaluations are available by phone or in person.
2. Garner & Arnic, LLP
Managing Partner: Kenna Garner
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 224-1774
Website: https://garnerandarnic.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 440 Louisiana Street, Suite 1300, Houston, TX 77002 | (713) 224-1774
- Dallas: 6060 N Central Expy, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75206 | (214) 360-9304
Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, SSI, Bankruptcy
Firm Size: 3 attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency fee; free initial consultations offered
Languages: English
About the Firm: Garner & Arnic, LLP has assisted individuals in Houston, Dallas, and across Texas with Social Security Disability and bankruptcy matters since 1999. The firm has represented more than 16,000 clients over its history. Managing partner Kenna Garner previously worked as a decision writer for the Social Security Administration, giving the firm direct insight into how the SSA evaluates disability claims. That background informs how the firm prepares documentation and arguments for its clients at both the initial application and appeal stages. The firm offers free in-office, phone, and virtual consultations.
3. Makris Law Firm, P.C.
Founder: Victor N. Makris
Founded: 1978
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 526-9966
Website: https://makrislawfirm.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 9898 Bissonnet Street, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77036 | (713) 526-9966
Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, SSI, Personal Injury, Bankruptcy, Family Law, Criminal Law, Real Estate, Business Law, Probate
Firm Size: Multiple attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency fee; no charge unless benefits are won; same-day free evaluations available
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Victor Makris founded this Houston firm in 1978 after graduating from the University of Houston Law Center and has devoted a substantial portion of the practice to Social Security Disability representation. The firm has assisted more than 30,000 Texans with SSD and SSI applications over its history and pursues appeals through the federal court level when administrative remedies are exhausted. Victor Makris is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm serves clients statewide including those in Greater Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Galveston County, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Both the attorney and support staff speak Spanish.
4. Herren Law
Founder: William Herren
Founded: 1992
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 682-8194
Website: https://herrenlaw.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 6363 Woodway Drive, Suite 825, Houston, TX 77057 | (713) 682-8194
Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, Veterans Disability Benefits
Firm Size: 1 attorney
Fee Structure: Contingency basis; no fee unless benefits are received; free consultations by phone or in person
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Herren Law was established in 1992 and focuses exclusively on Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability Benefits. William Herren is licensed to practice in Texas, the Federal District Courts of the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing the firm to pursue federal-level appeals when needed. The firm has assisted more than 6,000 disability claimants during its more than three decades of practice. Herren Law is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. Spanish-language support is available through staff member Maria Bernal. Consultations are available in the office, by phone, or at the client’s location if the client is unable to travel.
5. Heard & Smith, LLP
Founder: John R. Heard
Founded: 1976
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
Phone: (210) 820-3737
Website: https://heardandsmith.com
Office Locations:
- San Antonio: 10715 Gulfdale Street, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216 | (210) 820-3737
Practice Areas: Social Security Disability, SSI, Veterans Disability Benefits, Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship
Firm Size: Multiple attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency fee; toll-free consultation available at 1-800-584-3700
Languages: English
About the Firm: Heard & Smith, LLP was founded by John R. Heard in 1976 in San Antonio. John Heard graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Law School with honors in 1975 and began his own law practice the following year. The firm has handled Social Security Disability cases for over four decades and serves claimants across Texas from its San Antonio office. John Heard is a past president of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives and is a frequent lecturer at legal seminars addressing Social Security issues. The firm is licensed in Texas state courts, the Federal Courts of the Eastern, Western, and Southern Districts of Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Veterans Appeals. In addition to disability work, the firm handles estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters.
Social Security Disability benefits are administered by the federal Social Security Administration (SSA), but initial eligibility determinations in Texas are made by Texas Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency that evaluates medical evidence on behalf of the SSA. Applicants who receive a denial at the initial stage have 60 days from receipt of the notice to file a request for reconsideration, and subsequent denials can be appealed to an Administrative Law Judge. The average processing time for an initial application in Texas is approximately 3 to 6 months, though hearing-level appeals can take considerably longer. Claimants who proceed to the hearing stage are entitled to representation, and federal regulations cap attorney fees at 25% of past-due benefits or $7,200, whichever is lower, for cases handled under a fee agreement approved by the SSA.
The firms listed on this page represent a selection of Social Security Disability practices operating across Texas. Each firm’s details, including office locations, phone numbers, practice areas, and background information, are based on publicly available data verified at the time of publication. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Individuals seeking legal representation should conduct their own research, verify current attorney licensing through the State Bar of Texas, and schedule consultations to determine the right fit for their specific situation.