Disability Experts
California Social Security Disability Lawyer
Kelvin K. Lee and Karen Park Lee founded the Law Offices of Kelvin K. Lee in October 2012 to serve as dedicated and determined advocates on behalf of clients facing medical and financial challenges. Our primary area of expertise has been representing clients applying for or receiving Social Security Disability benefits within the State of California. We recognize the importance of securing these types of benefits for clients who are in a very vulnerable and precarious situation. Over time, our practice has expanded throughout all of California and is now inclusive of clients in other states.
During the last 13 years, we have expanded our practice well beyond the core base of Social Security Disability Clients. We have also represented numerous clients in securing Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits and other types of health and social benefits. During this time, our office has become well recognized for preserving the livelihood and well-being of clients and families who are at risk, and putting the utmost effort into helping clients to secure the benefits and rights that they deserve.
With the rare distinction of having served as both an Administrative Law Judge for the California Department of Social Services and a senior attorney for the Social Security Administration, Kelvin brings judicial insight and agency expertise that fundamentally transforms how benefit cases are won. During Kelvin’s tenure as an ALJ, he presided over thousands of hearings involving CalWORKs, SNAP, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services, developing a judicial perspective on what constitutes compelling evidence and persuasive legal arguments—knowledge he now applies to every case he handles. As a senior attorney within the Social Security Administration, Kelvin helped shape disability determination policies, advised on complex regulatory interpretations, and gained intimate knowledge of the internal evaluation standards that decision-makers apply when reviewing claims. This unparalleled combination of judicial experience and high-level agency counsel allows me to anticipate objections before they arise, identify procedural errors often overlooked by others, and construct case presentations specifically designed to address the concerns that judges and agency officials prioritize. When benefit systems seem impenetrable and denials feel arbitrary, Kelvin’s distinctive background provides clients with something invaluable—representation by someone who has literally sat in the decision-maker’s chair, applying the same regulations and policies that now impact your case. This exceptional perspective enables me to navigate complex benefit systems with an insider’s precision while advocating with the authority that comes from having helped administer the very programs you’re now seeking to access.
As our firm’s Office Director, Karen brings an extraordinary depth of operational leadership shaped through 15 years in the hospitality industry—including her distinguished management of a Department of Defense hotel in Seoul, Korea—complemented by 13 years navigating California’s premier healthcare organizations: Kaiser Permanente, SCAN, Care First, and Blue Shield of California. This remarkable professional journey equips our firm with international-caliber operational excellence rarely found in legal practices. Karen’s experience overseeing a DoD hospitality operation in Seoul required masterful coordination across cultural boundaries, meticulous attention to diplomatic protocols, and flawless execution of security procedures while maintaining the highest standards of guest satisfaction—skills she now applies to orchestrating our firm’s complex case management systems. Her subsequent tenure within California’s healthcare giants developed her unparalleled understanding of medical administrative systems, insurance protocols, and regulatory compliance frameworks that proves invaluable when managing cases with healthcare dimensions. What truly elevates our practice is Karen’s unique global perspective—having managed high-stakes operations where precision and cultural sensitivity were simultaneously essential, she approaches our diverse clientele with rare insight and adaptability. Under her leadership, our firm operates with the cross-cultural fluency of an international enterprise, the service excellence of premium hospitality, the security mindfulness of defense operations, and the systematic efficiency of leading healthcare institutions—all focused on delivering legal representation that stands apart through both operational excellence and genuine client care that transcends expectations.
Given our extensive history dealing with these various administrative agencies and medical providers, it is no wonder that Karen and Kelvin can offer top-notch legal and practical assistance to those dealing with most public medical benefits health issues. When it comes to legal counsel and patient advocacy, always choose an established, reputable legal office that has the experience and knowledge you need to navigate effectively through the challenges faced by securing and maintaining health and medical benefits.
Social Security Disability Representation (Attorney Kelvin K. Lee)
With over six years of insider experience as a former Social Security Administration attorney, I bring unparalleled insight to your disability claim that few advocates can match. I’ve sat on both sides of the table—writing decisions for Administrative Law Judges, evaluating claims at all levels of review, and witnessing firsthand how successful applications distinguish themselves from denials. This rare perspective now empowers my clients, as I navigate the intricate bureaucracy I once helped maintain, anticipate agency objections before they arise, and craft compelling arguments using the exact frameworks SSA officials apply when evaluating your case. My transition from government representative to dedicated advocate means your disability claim benefits from my comprehensive understanding of the system’s inner workings, transforming what can seem like an overwhelming process into a strategic pathway toward securing the benefits you deserve.
Medi-Cal and Medicare Appeal Representation (Attorney Kelvin K. Lee)
As a former State of California Administrative Law Judge presiding over Medi-Cal appeals, I bring judicial insight and experience that transform how your healthcare benefit case is presented and argued. During my tenure on the bench, I evaluated a multiple of appeals several times per week, scrutinizing eligibility denials, service reductions, and coverage disputes through the precise legal lens that will now benefit your case. I understand exactly what persuades decision-makers because I was one—I recognize the pivotal evidence that turns denials into approvals, the procedural missteps that agencies often make, and the compelling legal arguments that resonate with judges who think just as I did. My transition from impartial adjudicator to your dedicated advocate means your Medi-Cal appeal isn’t just prepared by someone who understands the system—it’s crafted by someone who helped shape it. When California’s complex healthcare bureaucracy stands between you and essential benefits, my judicial experience provides the authoritative guidance needed to navigate these challenges with confidence and precision.
As a dedicated advocate for public servants facing Medicare benefit challenges, I bring specialized expertise in representing LACERA members and other public employees through the complexities of healthcare appeals. My practice addresses the unique intersection of public retirement systems and Medicare benefits—navigating the distinctive regulations, coordination of benefits issues, and procedural requirements that public sector retirees face when coverage is wrongfully denied or prematurely terminated. Throughout my career, I’ve successfully reversed many adverse determinations for county employees, educators, and municipal workers, leveraging my comprehensive understanding of how LACERA and similar retirement systems interact with Medicare coverage rules. I recognize that public employees often confront specialized healthcare situations that standard Medicare appeals processes aren’t designed to accommodate, requiring the nuanced advocacy I’ve refined through years of representing this distinctive client community. When Medicare contractors fail to understand your public service background or the specific provisions of your retirement health benefits, my focused experience ensures that your appeal emphasizes the relevant legal frameworks, properly applies federal and state protections, and effectively addresses the procedural inconsistencies that frequently lead to erroneous benefit denials for dedicated public servants who deserve seamless access to their earned healthcare benefits.
Long Term Care Insurance Coverage Appeal Representation (Attorney Kelvin K. Lee)
With considerable time dedicated to navigating the labyrinth of Long Term Care denials, I bring clinical precision to legal advocacy through my extensive expertise in medical record analysis. Where insurance companies and government agencies see merely codes and documentation gaps, I uncover the compelling narrative of your healthcare journey that supports benefit eligibility. My practice is built on meticulously dissecting thousands of medical files—translating complex clinical assessments, therapy notes, and physician evaluations into persuasive legal arguments that overturn denials. This unique intersection of medical comprehension and legal strategy has secured rightfully deserved benefits for elderly and disabled clients facing devastating care rejections. I understand that behind every denial is not just a case number but a person whose quality of life hangs in the balance, which is why I guide each client through the appeals process, transforming overwhelming medical documentation into your most powerful asset. When your access to essential long-term care services has been wrongfully denied, my specialized experience ensures no relevant clinical detail goes unnoticed and no viable legal strategy remains unexplored.
Long Term Disability Representation (Attorney Kelvin K. Lee)
At the Law Offices of Kelvin Lee, we deliver the personalized attention of a boutique practice while leveraging the resources of our extensive legal network to maximize your long-term disability claim’s success. Our focused expertise in disability law allows us to provide responsive, client-centered representation that larger firms often cannot match—you’ll work directly with experienced attorneys who know your case intimately, not paralegals or case managers. When your situation demands additional specialized knowledge or litigation support, our established partnerships with premier national disability law firms ensure your case benefits from collaborative legal strategies and expanded resources without sacrificing the individualized service that defines our practice. This strategic collaboration model has enabled us to successfully challenge even the most aggressive insurance company tactics, establishing a remarkable record of overturning claim denials for clients with complex medical conditions. We understand the life-altering implications of disability benefit denials, which is why we’ve developed this unique approach that combines the agility and dedication of our specialized team with the substantial capabilities of our trusted legal partners, delivering comprehensive representation that adapts perfectly to the specific demands of your case.
Elder Care and Patient Advocacy (Office Director Karen Park Lee)
With insider experience spanning California’s most influential healthcare organizations—Kaiser Permanente, SCAN, Care First, and Blue Shield of California—I bring unprecedented knowledge of health system operations to your patient advocacy needs. My career within these major medical institutions revealed both the systematic barriers patients face and the hidden pathways to overcome them, knowledge I now dedicate exclusively to helping individuals navigate denial challenges, secure appropriate treatments, and access the full benefits they deserve. Understanding the precise decision-making frameworks, approval criteria, and internal review processes used by these organizations allows me to strategically position your case for maximum effectiveness, often resolving issues that have frustrated patients and their providers for months. My established professional relationships within these systems help expedite resolutions, while my intimate familiarity with their operational policies enables me to anticipate and counter potential objections before they arise. When healthcare organizations prioritize protocols over patients, my unique combination of industry expertise and personal commitment ensures your medical needs receive the urgent attention and thoughtful advocacy they truly warrant, transforming frustrating healthcare experiences into positive outcomes.
California Social Security Disability, Medicare, and Medi-Cal Benefits Specialist (Office Director Karen Park Lee)
Drawing on over 13 years as a Social Security Disability law firm director and specialized Medicare/Medi-Cal consultant, I offer unparalleled guidance through the interconnected complexities of disability claims and healthcare benefit systems. My extensive directorial experience has equipped me with comprehensive knowledge of disability determination processes, appeal strategies, and the critical crossroads where disability benefits intersect with healthcare coverage decisions. Having managed thousands of cases from initial application through Administrative Law Judge hearings, I understand the documentation requirements, qualifying criteria, and procedural nuances that determine case outcomes. As a Medicare and Medi-Cal business and clients specialist, I’ve guided both organizations and individuals through the labyrinthine enrollment requirements, coverage limitations, and benefit maximization opportunities, ensuring my clients avoid costly coverage gaps during life’s most challenging transitions. This rare combination of disability law leadership and healthcare benefit expertise allows me to provide holistic consultation that few can match—whether you’re navigating a disability application while maintaining medical coverage, transitioning from private insurance to Medicare following disability approval, or seeking to optimize your existing benefits across multiple programs. When these critical systems threaten to overwhelm with their complexity, my seasoned guidance transforms confusion into clarity and obstacles into opportunities.
Client Reviews
I would recommend anyone dealing with a licensing issue or a social security/disability case to see Kelvin immediately. He will put you at ease from the minute you talk to him on the phone. Attorney Kelvin Lee is single-handedly the...
He helped to update my brother's will/trust and worked to probate it when my brother passed away. When it became more complicated he referred me to a good specialist. I appreciated his patience with my brother who was elderly and not...