Admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2023
Appointed to 3 year term - Standing Committee for Social Security Disability Law Specialty Program Commission by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), 2019
Admitted to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2022
Admitted to U.S. District Court - Colorado, 2022
Admitted to U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2020
Admitted to U.S. District Court - Wisconsin, 2018
Admitted to U.S. District Court - New Mexico, 2020
Re-appointed to 3 year term - Standing Committee for Social Security Disability Law Specialty Program Commission by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), 2021
Admitted to U.S. District Courts for Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, 2019
Appointed to Social Security Disability Law Specialty Program Commission for National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), 2019
Social Security Section, National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), Board Certification Advisory Committee, 2009
Elected Secretary, NOSSCR Board of Direcctors, 2018
Admitted to Virginia Bar, 2019
Trustee, Founding Trustee, Columbus Community Congress, 1989
Admitted to U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2012
Member, American Association for Justice
Member, Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
Vice-President, Northwest Civic Association - Trustee, Member, 1986 -1988
Cole v. Commissioner of SSA, 661 F.3d 931 (6th Cir. 2011). Published decision. Judge at an administrative hearing received evidence but failed to properly evaluate client's medical conditions, failed to follow Social Security rules and regulations concerning evaluating medical evidence. Case remanded; benefits awarded, 2011
Carter v. Commissioner of Social Security, Social Security consents to a voluntary remand from the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2021
Cliff is sought out by attorneys seeking assistance with Federal Court appeals in the US District Courts for both the Northern and Southern District of Ohio, and occasionally handles appeals in the District Courts for Virginia, the District of Columbia and Kentucky. He also pursues appeals in the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, recently obtaining a voluntary remand by the Commissioner of Social Security in a case pending before that Court., 2017
Boop v. Commissioner of SSA, Case 3:13-cv-00098 (SD Ohio May 2014). ALJ’s decision after multiple hearings not supported by substantial evidence, Court’s previous order of remand requiring proper consideration of medical impairments not followed by SSA. Case reversed, benefits awarded by US District Court, 2014
Special Licenses/Certifications:
Board Certified - Social Security Disability Advocacy by, National Board of Trial Advocacy (2006), recertified 2011, recertified 2016
Ohio Certified Specialist, Social Security Disability Law, National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
Accredited to represent disabled veterans before the Veterans Administration, 2008
Honors/Awards:
Top rated attorney, Cleveland Magazine, 2018
Cleveland and Columbus Top Attorneys, Cleveland Magazine, 2022
Cleveland and Columbus Top Attorneys, Cleveland Magazine, 2021
Top rated attorney, Avvo, 2020
Avvo Top rated attorney, Avvo, 2019
Top rated attorney, Cleveland Magazine, 2019
Avvo Rated Top Lawyer, Avvo, 2018
Top Attorneys In Ohio, Cleveland Magazine, 2017
"AV" rating - Martindale-Hubbell, 1997 - present
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, 2013
Ohio Super Lawyer, 2014
Ohio Super Lawyer, 2016
Ohio Super Lawyer, 2018
Top 1% - America's Most Honored Professionals, America's Most Honored, 2017
Avvo Top Rated Lawyer, Avvo, 2017
Cleveland and Columbus Top Attorneys, Cleveland Magazine, 2018
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, 2012
Selected as "Top Attorney" in Ohio, Cleveland Magazine, 2013
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, 2014
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2015
Top Attorneys In Ohio, Cincinnati Magazine, 2018
Top Lawyers 2017, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2017
Top Attorneys In Columbus, Columbus Monthly Magazine, 2018
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, 2010
Ohio Super Lawyers, 2013
Selected as "Top Lawyer" in Central Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, 2011
Ohio Super Lawyer, 2017
Ohio Super Lawyer, 2015
Distinguished Attorney: Very High Rating in Legal Ability and & Ethical Standards, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018
Educational Background:
Capital University Law School, J.D., 1982
Moravian College, B.A., 1978
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
Speaker, Maximizing Benefits for clients who receive Social Security and Workers' Compensation, NOSSCR
Michigan Bar Social Security Committee , Speaker, 2019
Speaker, NOSSCR Sixth Circuit Case Law Update, Spring, 2012
Speaker, NOSSCR Federal Court Appeals, Step By Step, Spring, 2012
Speaker, Handling a Social Security Disability Case, NBI, 2012
Speaker, Attacking the Social Security Consultative Examination, Ohio State Bar Association, 2007
Speaker, How to Prepare for and Succeed at the Social Security Disability Hearing in Ohio, NBI, 2005
Speaker, Handling a Social Security Disability Case in Ohio, National Business Institute (NBI), 2001
Speaker, Veterans' Benefits, Legal Aid Society of Columbus, 2012
Speaker, Handling a Social Security Disability Case, NBI, 2013
Speaker, Effective Hearing Tactics, Ohio State Bar Association (July 2015), 2015
Speaker, "New Evidence Regulations," Michigan Bar Association, Social Security Section, 2015
Speaker, "Social Security Case Law Update," Michigan Bar Association, Social Security Section, 2016
"Overview of the Social Security Disability Process" (May 2014), Speaker, Ohio Rehabilitation Association, 2014
"Handling A Social Security Court Appeal" (November 2014), Speaker, Ohio Association For Justice (OAJ), 2014
Speaker, "Veterans Benefits," Ohio State Bar Association, 2016
Article discussing "The Importance of a Fully Developed Medical Record in SSDI Cases", Author, www.ncflindependent.com/2016/10/17/the-importance-of-a-fully-developed-medical-record-in-ssdi-cases/, Nassau County Florida Independent - Blog
Speaker, "Social Security Case Law Update," Michigan Bar Association, Social Security Section, 2017
Adjunct Faculty, Columbus State Community College, 1992-1996
Speaker, Social Security Interaction with ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation, Ohio CLE Institute
Speaker, Social Security Fundamentals, Ohio CLE Institute
Speaker, NBI How to Prepare for and Succeed at the Social Security Disability Hearing in Ohio, 2005
Speaker, Current Issues Affecting Social Security Disability, Ohio State Bar Association, 2006
Speaker, Ethics for the Social Security Practitioner, NOSSCR, 2006
Speaker, Social Security and Workers' Compensation Offset Issues, Columbus Bar Association, 2001 and 2006
Speaker, Social Security Section 6th Circuit Update & Seminar, State Bar of Michigan, June, 2012
Other Outstanding Achievements:
OSBA Ohio Bar College - recognized for continuing legal education, 2020
OSBA Ohio Bar College - recognized for continuing legal education, 2019
Industry Groups:
NADR-Nat'l Association Of Disability Representatives
NOSSCR-Nat'l Organization Of Social Security Claimants Representatives