Independent Contractor Disability Hearing Attorney (1099)

About Mindset

Mindset was founded to create a better experience for people with mental illness or physical impairments—and for their caregivers—as they pursue Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Our specialized legal team has helped thousands of claimants navigate the Social Security Administration’s disability process through a technology-forward, client-centered approach.

The Opportunity

Mindset is seeking an experienced Disability Hearing Attorney to support claimants on an independent contractor basis. This engagement is intentionally limited to Social Security disability hearings and the work directly required to prepare for, conduct, and close out those hearings. It is not a full-caseload staff attorney position.

Scope of Engagement

• Review assigned electronic case files, exhibits, medical evidence, prior determinations, and hearing notices.
• Identify the theory of the case, evidentiary gaps, vocational issues, and questions likely to arise before the administrative law judge.
• Conduct focused pre-hearing preparation with the claimant, including hearing expectations and anticipated testimony.
• Appear at scheduled Social Security disability hearings and provide professional, persuasive representation.
• Develop claimant testimony and question vocational or medical experts when appropriate.
• Make clear legal and factual arguments based on the record and applicable SSA rules.
• Provide a timely post-hearing summary and complete limited follow-up that arises directly from the hearing, as agreed.

Outside the Scope

• Initial intake or eligibility screening.
• Completing initial SSDI or SSI applications.
• Routine medical-record collection, case development, or ongoing client management.
• General agency correspondence unrelated to an assigned hearing.
• Appeals beyond the administrative hearing level, federal-court work, or extensive brief writing unless separately agreed in writing.

Required Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and good standing with the applicable bar.
• Authorization and eligibility to represent claimants before the Social Security Administration.
• Demonstrated experience representing claimants at Social Security disability hearings.
• Strong command of SSA disability regulations, hearing procedures, medical evidence, and vocational issues.
• Ability to prepare efficiently, manage scheduled hearing deadlines, and advocate confidently in a remote environment.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, empathy, and client communication.
• Comfort working in digital case-management systems and reviewing electronic records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four or more years of Social Security disability practice, or comparable high-volume hearing experience.
• Experience handling remote, video, and telephone hearings in multiple hearing offices or regions.
• West Coast availability or the ability to cover hearings across multiple U.S. time zones.
• Federal disability claims or appellate experience.

Contractor Arrangement

• Independent contractor (1099) engagement; this is not an employee position.
• Remote, hearing-based work with scheduling and assignment volume established by mutual agreement.
• The contractor will be paid on a per-hearing basis. The applicable rate, availability expectations, and hearing-assignment terms will be set forth in a written independent contractor agreement.
• The contractor is responsible for maintaining required licensure, professional obligations, insurance, taxes, technology, and an appropriate confidential workspace.
• No employee benefits are provided.

What Mindset Provides

• Organized electronic case materials and hearing information for accepted assignments.
• A technology-forward workflow and access to the information needed to prepare for assigned hearings.
• Coordination support for scheduling and hearing logistics.
• The opportunity to advance a mission focused on improving the disability-benefits experience for claimants and families.

How to Apply

To confirm your interest in this 1099 opportunity, email [email protected] and [email protected] with your résumé and a brief summary of your Social Security disability hearing experience, jurisdictions of licensure, typical hearing volume, geographic or time-zone coverage, and current availability.

Mindset is committed to working with qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds. Contractor selection is based on experience, qualifications, availability, and the needs of the engagement.