|
Post by slainte on Jun 7, 2016 21:31:16 GMT -5
It's been a memorable day and I needed time to think about this post. (I voted in the polls and confirmed, as should everyone).
I got the call this PM and I'm still on cloud 9. I said yes and thank you immediately (several times, BTW).
First, you are an amazing moderator (Pix), legends, and elders. Your information and advice has been invaluable. I will continue to participate on the board and "give it back" because I was the beneficiary of all your generosity.
I've been a legal services attorney for 15+ years and from the beginning, the vast majority of ALJs who I have appeared in front of have been fair, smart, and respectful to my clients. They were role models to me. I was inspired to apply for this position starting in 2009. It did not work out and I was not hired so it was a hard blow but I thought I will keep trying (RAM = keep swimming). I reapplied in 2013 then did not make the first online testing cut (I was 0 for 2). Then last August, I got the email to test. Hey, this is my third shot and I will give it my all. It finally worked out.
So 4 trips to DC and 7 years later, I got the call. As RAM said, keep swimming!!!!
I was supervising my newbie attorney today (before "the call") at an ODAR hearing. The ALJ said to our client "You are the most important person in this room". My client told me afterwards that she wanted to cry because finally someone wanted to listen. Wow, even if she was awarded benefits or not someone listened. That was an amazing statement and will stay with me throughout my career.
I am so grateful to everyone on this Board. I'm rooting for so many more of you to join us and keep swimming, swimming, swimming (ode to RAM).
|
|
|
Post by funkyodar on Jun 7, 2016 21:34:23 GMT -5
Awesome news and post slainte. The corps is better already with you in it.
Welcome aboard.
|
|
|
Post by Judicially Imployed on Jun 7, 2016 21:34:39 GMT -5
It's been a memorable day and I needed time to think about this post. (I voted in the polls and confirmed, as should everyone). I got the call this PM and I'm still on cloud 9. I said yes and thank you immediately (several times, BTW). First, you are an amazing moderator (Pix), legends, and elders. Your information and advice has been invaluable. I will continue to participate on the board and "give it back" because I was the beneficiary of all your generosity. I've been a legal services attorney for 15+ years and from the beginning, the vast majority of ALJs who I have appeared in front of have been fair, smart, and respectful to my clients. They were role models to me. I was inspired to apply for this position starting in 2009. It did not work out and I was not hired so it was a hard blow but I thought I will keep trying (RAM = keep swimming). I reapplied in 2013 then did not make the first online testing cut (I was 0 for 2). Then last August, I got the email to test. Hey, this is my third shot and I will give it my all. It finally worked out. So 4 trips to DC and 7 years later, I got the call. As RAM said, keep swimming!!!! I was supervising my newbie attorney today (before "the call") at an ODAR hearing. The ALJ said to our client "You are the most important person in this room". My client told me afterwards that she wanted to cry because finally someone wanted to listen. Wow, even if she was awarded benefits or not someone listened. That was an amazing statement and will stay with me throughout my career. I am so grateful to everyone on this Board. I'm rooting for so many more of your to join us and keep swimming, swimming, swimming (ode to RAM). Congrats, Slainte!!!
|
|
|
Post by inpatientlurker on Jun 7, 2016 21:49:38 GMT -5
Awesome news and post slainte. The corps is better already with you in it. Welcome aboard. I agree completely. Congrats slainte and a wonderful post to encourage others to not give up and a great lesson on how to behave if lucky enough to be chosen.
|
|
|
Post by beenlurking on Jun 7, 2016 21:57:55 GMT -5
It's been a memorable day and I needed time to think about this post. (I voted in the polls and confirmed, as should everyone). I got the call this PM and I'm still on cloud 9. I said yes and thank you immediately (several times, BTW). First, you are an amazing moderator (Pix), legends, and elders. Your information and advice has been invaluable. I will continue to participate on the board and "give it back" because I was the beneficiary of all your generosity. I've been a legal services attorney for 15+ years and from the beginning, the vast majority of ALJs who I have appeared in front of have been fair, smart, and respectful to my clients. They were role models to me. I was inspired to apply for this position starting in 2009. It did not work out and I was not hired so it was a hard blow but I thought I will keep trying (RAM = keep swimming). I reapplied in 2013 then did not make the first online testing cut (I was 0 for 2). Then last August, I got the email to test. Hey, this is my third shot and I will give it my all. It finally worked out. So 4 trips to DC and 7 years later, I got the call. As RAM said, keep swimming!!!! I was supervising my newbie attorney today (before "the call") at an ODAR hearing. The ALJ said to our client "You are the most important person in this room". My client told me afterwards that she wanted to cry because finally someone wanted to listen. Wow, even if she was awarded benefits or not someone listened. That was an amazing statement and will stay with me throughout my career. I am so grateful to everyone on this Board. I'm rooting for so many more of you to join us and keep swimming, swimming, swimming (ode to RAM). Just when you think you've seen the best post.......Congrats!
|
|
|
Post by Gaidin on Jun 7, 2016 22:04:42 GMT -5
slainte you have been a fantastic member. This post with its inspiration to keep trying is a breath of fresh air. But you also remind me how important the job is and how it directly affects lives. You will be a credit your robe.
|
|
|
Post by slainte on Jun 7, 2016 22:12:07 GMT -5
Gaidin, thank you countless many times over. TPTB, tomorrow is the day for G, g, LL2, Christina, JI, Ace, sealaw90, you know the group.,
|
|
|
Post by Pixie on Jun 7, 2016 22:18:17 GMT -5
Good for you, Slainte. Congratulations!
|
|
|
Post by 2rvrrun on Jun 7, 2016 22:36:57 GMT -5
Congratulations Slainte, you were very welcoming to me, a newbie. I have been rooting for you and you post shows you are a nice guy--great to have you on the SSA team.
|
|
|
Post by slainte on Jun 7, 2016 23:07:41 GMT -5
Congratulations Slainte, you were very welcoming to me, a newbie. I have been rooting for you and you post shows you are a nice guy--great to have you on the SSA team. Thx Debbie and the dog too cute for words. All the best!
|
|
|
Post by luckylady2 on Jun 7, 2016 23:19:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the well-wishes, Slainte. Your posts have shown over and over that ODAR has made a great selection again with you. Congrats!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 23:23:21 GMT -5
"You are the most important person in this room". Congratulations, I am happy for everyone that gets the call and I keep hoping more board members such as Gaidin and Gary and many others get the call. But, I am writing more than anything to thank you for the above quote! It will hence forth be uttered (uttered sounds kind of weird and Funky probably got excited down on the farm in Tupelo hearing that term ) in every hearing that I hold from this day forward! I try my best to make every claimant feel comfortable in my hearings as I know they are in the worst position of their lives! I am close to the national average for approval (42%), but I really try and go out of my way to explain to the claimant that I must follow the law, but I want them to have a “fair and full hearing” before a Judge and explain to me why they are disabled and those 9 words will convey that better than anything else that I can think of, it may not get a favorable decision, but my goal is to give them a fair hearing.
Congrats, slainte and thanks for that perspective!
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Jun 7, 2016 23:36:23 GMT -5
It's hard for many people to believe that you are still truly in the running for the job when you interviewed a year and a half ago and haven't yet been hired. They seem to think you are deceiving yourself or them out of embarrassment that you weren't hired. I interviewed with the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office 22 years ago and never heard back. So I consider myself still in the running.... I once interviewed with Wilmington, DE federal public defender. 14 years ago and waiting! Come to think of it, I am still on the UVA law school waiting list from 1975!
|
|
|
Post by jagvet on Jun 7, 2016 23:42:14 GMT -5
Think of poor Merrick Garland. And at least you don't have to go through a confirmation hearing on national television. charlsiekate, Garland hasn't had a hearing, and McConnell says he won't. That's even more embarrassing. And Garland is still a judge, anyway. Worst confirmation, I think, was Alito. So hostile, his wife started to cry.
|
|
|
Post by slainte on Jun 7, 2016 23:46:31 GMT -5
"You are the most important person in this room". Congratulations, I am happy for everyone that gets the call and I have keep hoping more board members such as Gaidin and Gary and many others get the call. But, I am writing more than anything to thank you for the above quote! It will hence forth be uttered (uttered sounds kind of weird and Funky probably got excited down on the farm in Tupelo hearing that term ) in every hearing that I hold from this day forward! I try my best to make every claimant feel comfortable in my hearings as I know they are in the worst position of their lives! I am close to the national average for approval (42%), but I really try and go out of my way to explain to the claimant that I must follow the law, but I want them to have a “fair and full hearing” before a Judge and explain to me why they are disabled and those 9 words will convey that better than anything else that I can think of, it may not get a favorable decision, but my goal is to give them a fair hearing.
Congrats, slainte and thanks for that perspective!
You are welcome Tiger!
|
|
|
Post by onepingonly on Jun 8, 2016 0:10:55 GMT -5
Welcome to the fold, slainte!
|
|
|
Post by 71stretch on Jun 8, 2016 0:56:52 GMT -5
I am usually in the hearing room before they are. Maybe I need to come in after them. LOL Then you risk them watching as your robe sleeves get caught in the chair when you sit down.... In almost 22 years on the bench (a number that still startles me) I've only got one of those "when you enter the hearing room" stories. I remember nothing about this case except the first 15 seconds in the hearing room. I don't remember if the applicant had counsel, or who it was if he did; I don't remember who defense counsel was. I remember the applicant had two or three lay witnesses/moral supporters in the room. I don't remember how the case ultimately turned out. As I walked into the room and sat down, I heard the applicant say, "Oh, just like Judge Judy".... I looked up VERRRRRY slowly and said, with just a touch of emphasis, "Not exactly"... and so we began. If there was an applicant's attorney, he was probably wishing for that trap door to open. CONGRATULATIONS, SLAINTE!!!
|
|
|
Post by pumpkin on Jun 8, 2016 5:08:15 GMT -5
It's been a memorable day and I needed time to think about this post. (I voted in the polls and confirmed, as should everyone). I got the call this PM and I'm still on cloud 9. I said yes and thank you immediately (several times, BTW). Go maire sibh bhur saol nua'! Slainte!
|
|
|
Post by numbersix on Jun 8, 2016 5:19:28 GMT -5
Slainte! I'm thrilled for you! Congratulations!
|
|
|
Post by neufenland on Jun 8, 2016 6:26:59 GMT -5
Think of poor Merrick Garland. And at least you don't have to go through a confirmation hearing on national television. charlsiekate, Garland hasn't had a hearing, and McConnell says he won't. That's even more embarrassing. And Garland is still a judge, anyway. Worst confirmation, I think, was Alito. So hostile, his wife started to cry. Bork.
|
|