Disability / Retirement

San Francisco Attorney Ellen Mendelson: Employment Law for
California Government Workers, Union Members, and Private Employees

Retirement, Disability Retirement, And Pension Issues

If you have a disagreement with your employer regarding retirement, disability retirement, or pension issues, please contact me today for a free initial consultation.

I am Ellen Mendelson, a San Francisco lawyer who represents state, federal, and local government employees, as well as private employees in all types of employment issues, including those related to retirement, disability retirement, and pension matters.

A Record Of Success In Disability And Retirement Disputes

In my more than 25 years of legal practice, I have an excellent record of winning cases for employees who have been denied a disability retirement. Following are some examples:

• A retired member of the military, whose disabling illness began decades ago, during his military service, now has the disability retirement he deserves.
• A county employee, unable to work because of chronic, severe depression, no longer has to worry about how to support herself.
• A rheumatoid arthritis sufferer denied long-term disability coverage by a private insurer.

In disability retirement matters, the primary question is: Does the employee suffer from a disability that prevents him or her from performing the essential functions of their job? I skillfully work with medical professionals to document the extent of my clients’ disabilities. In addition, I effectively advocate for my clients’ rights.

I have been equally successful representing clients whose employers wrongfully deny them retirement and pension benefits. The employers and insurance companies have skilled lawyers on their side. You should, too. Please contact me today to discuss your case.

Getting Employees The Disability Retirement They Need And Deserve

Are you an employee who is suffering from a non-work or work-related disability that interferes with your ability to perform your job? Is your employer unable to accommodate your disability? Call me — I can work with your doctors to seek disability retirement for you.

I have appeared before the San Francisco Employees Retirement System, and the San Mateo County Retirement System, (SAMCERA), CALPERS, the State Office of Administrative Hearings, the California Public Employee’s Relations Board, the State Department of Industrial Relations (State Labor Commissioner), the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, the San Francisco Police Commission, the Federal Office of Personnel Management, the Merit System Protection board (MSPB), and the Department of Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, and administrative boards for public and private retirement systems.

I am also a referral attorney for the San Francisco Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service.