Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys, PLLC seeks to “spotlight” individuals who we feel are making an impact on the clients and communities we serve. Our first “spotlight” is our very own, Christopher Grover.
You could say Chris’s law career started in middle and high school when he was selected to serve on the City of Elmira Youth Court. The court was set up as a diversion program for first-time youthful offenders and allowed them to be judged by their peers as an alternative to the criminal justice system. Chris learned all aspects of the court as a “prosecutor,” defense “attorney,” and eventually “judge.”
While attending college at the University at Buffalo (UB), Chris worked for Autism Services, Inc. This job taught Chris that empathy goes a long way to really understanding a person’s wants and needs, and true communication is much more than the exchange of words.
After graduating from UB with a B.A. in Legal Studies, Chris joined Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys, PLLC., (JFA) as a clerk and paralegal, while continuing to work part-time with Autism Services. His work with the firm convinced him to continue studying the law — so he had to resign from Autism Services and spent the following three years at UB law school while continuing his position with JFA.
In spite of his already busy schedule, Chris also worked as a judicial law clerk for a County Court Judge; practiced as a student attorney with the Niagara County District Attorney; volunteered with the Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office; and served as Publications Editor for the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal.
After graduating with honors from UB law and passing the Bar exam, Chris was soon handling Social Security Disability and Bankruptcy cases at the Freedman firm. He is an active member of the Bar Association of Erie County (BAEC), where he served on the Young Lawyers Committee’s Executive Council for four years, and as Chair of the Committee for the Disabled for five years. Since 2018, Chris has been recognized in the annual Super Lawyers magazine for his work in the area of Social Security Disability law. On this topic, he gives presentations, publishes articles, and has been interviewed by multiple news sources.
Chris represents Social Security Disability clients from the application stage through the hearing level and regularly appeals cases to Federal Court. Chris has obtained benefits for over 1,000 Social Security clients, totaling more than $17 million in back benefits, and about $310 million in lifetime benefits. He recently won a case dating back to 2012 that required multiple appeals and got more than $180,000 in back benefits for the client.
Chris understands how important it is that his clients feel “heard.” All too often, clients come to Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys after being denied, complaining that the judge or their former attorney didn’t understand their problems because they never got a chance to tell their story. Through preparation and education, Chris empowers his clients with the information they need to understand the Social Security system and to convey their difficulties to the SSA and its Administrative Law Judges in order to achieve a favorable decision – the goal of every case.