Firm Overview

Attorney Katherine Siegfried has more than fifteen years of experience representing individuals with disabilities in administrative hearings and appeals. She works with clients on applications for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, from the initial application through federal court appeals.

Ms. Siegfried also handles special education appeals throughout the Bay Area for children of all ages and types of disabilities.

She personally oversees each case and works closely with clients to ensure that they gain a better understanding of the appeal process and of the merits of their case.

Pursuing Social Security disability benefits, or trying to get the services your child needs through special education, is stressful and time-consuming. You don't need to do it alone. When the Law Office of Katherine Siegfried represents you, we take on the burden of fighting for your rights, letting you have some peace of mind.

In most cases, you will never have to pay anything up front to have an attorney handle your case. So don't wait. Call or email for a free consultation.

We handle applications for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (SSDI/SSI) cases from application through federal district court appeals. We also represent children who have been denied special education services or are not getting the special education help they need.

Our office is fully ADA accessible and is three blocks from the 19th St Oakland BART station. Our firm is generally open from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday, but some evening and weekend appointments are also available by request.

About Firm

Free

Initial Consultation?

Firm Specialties

Social Security

Disability

We represent individuals and families with SSDI and SSI claims. We also represent children with special education cases.

Our firm is dedicated to pursuing the rights of individuals with mental and physical disabilities with compassion and expertise.

Firm Specialties

Firm Philosophy

Katherine Siegfried worked for many years as a civil rights attorney, with a focus on individuals with disabilities, at Bay Area Legal Aid and the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i. Her interest in pursuing justice for those caught in the bureaucratic system of the Social Security Administration developed from her own family's experiences with the struggles of a disabled family member.

She has also represented families in filing and mediating due process complaints in special education cases throughout the Bay Area. As the daughter of a public school teacher, Katherine Siegfried believes strongly in the power of a good public education. Pursuing special education cases is a way for her to help ensure that children with special needs are given a chance at accessing that power.

Background

Katherine Siegfried graduated from New York University School of Law. While there, she worked at the Immigrant Rights Clinic and interned at the Legal Aid Society of New York's Health Law Unit.

She is a member in good standing of NOSSCR (National Association of Social Security Claims Representatives), COPAA (Council of Parents, Attorneys and Advocates) and the American Bar Association.

Ms. Siegfried also frequently provides pro bono assistance to legal aid clients as well as mentorship and training to young attorneys starting out in this field of law.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

We believe in working closely with our clients. If you hire us, you will find yourself being treated with the utmost respect and being listened to with compassion.

If your attorney can't understand who you are as a person, how will your attorney get the judge to understand you? We will meet with you and talk to you over the phone or email as much as it takes to come to that level of trust and understanding.

You usually only get one chance to make an impression with the judge in your case. You want to be sure that you are represented by someone who not only cares about the outcome of your case, but who knows you and your background inside out.

At the Law Office of Katherine Siegfried, we make sure we do just that, each and every time.

Firm Philosophy

Yes.

How Much Will I Pay?

SSDI and SSI cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay anything unless you win. Social Security must approve all fees, and their rules limit the amount that can be charged. The law currently sets a maximum fee of 25% of any past-due benefits awarded to you and your family.

Many special education cases can also be taken on a contingency basis and if you win or settle your case, you may be able to get those fees paid for by the other side.

My Bio

Firm Biographies

Katherine Siegfried

I grew up in a large family in a small town in New England. From a very young age I found myself angry about the injustices in the world, and wanting to do my part to help right them. To that end, I worked hard to put myself through law school and went on to work at non-profit legal services organizations. I now run my own law firm devoted to protecting the rights of individuals with severe mental and physical limitations. It is challenging, but deeply rewarding work. I look forward to coming to my office and find that the connections I form with my clients are the best part of my day. I cannot guarantee that I will win your case, but I can promise that I will give your case the care and attention it deserves.

License:

Bar Number: 250558
California, 2007

Education:

Bard College

BA- Sociology, 2000

Received highest honors for Sociology.

New York University School of Law

JD, 2004

Worked at the Immigrant Rights Clinic. Interned at Legal Aid Society of New York's Health Law Unit. President of the Public Interest Law Foundation. Elected Student Representative for the Public Interest Law Program.

Ambreshia Landrum

Ambreshia is an associate attorney with years of experience representing clients with disabilities in appeals of SSI and SSDI denials, overpayments, and state and county benefits. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an attorney because she wanted to be able to help people in need. After law school, she went on to work at a non-profit, the Alameda County Homeless Action Center, as a legal advocate and then attorney. During this time, she worked almost exclusively in Social Security and public benefits. Through her various roles, Ambreshia has been able to foster a deep understanding of legal concepts and a great respect for the clients she serves.

License:

Bar Number: 343728

California, 2022

Education:

Stetson University

BA-Social Sciences, 2015

Faulkner University-Thomas Goode Jones School of Law

JD/LLM, 2018

Mika Aoyama

Mika is a senior legal advocate with extensive experience representing people with disabilities in appeals of SSI and SSDI denials, overpayments, and terminations. In addition to her experience as a Social Security advocate at the New York Legal Assistance Group, she has also worked as a paralegal at the ACLU’s Disability Rights Program and at Root & Rebound, a reentry advocacy organization. Her commitment to benefits access work began in college as a volunteer at the International Rescue Committee in Oakland, where she assisted recently arrived refugees to apply for Social Security numbers and various public benefits.

Mika is a San Francisco native. She holds a B.A. in Development Studies from UC Berkeley.

Jacob Regier

Jacob is a legal advocate with several years of experience advocating for clients before the Social Security Administration. Before joining the firm in early 2021, Jacob previously worked as a legal advocate for the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Homeless Advocacy Project, where they assisted clients with disabilities to access SSI and Social Security disability benefits, along with working to help resolve a variety of other Social Security issues.

Jacob is a proud graduate of San Francisco State University and has a B.A. in Race and Resistance Studies.

Cassiopeia Jenkins-Schell

Cassiopeia (Cassi) is a legal assistant in the process of earning her paralegal certificate. From an early age, she has been passionate about helping people in need. Her experiences as a student in a two-way bilingual immersion school incited her interest in social justice and the law. Cassi holds a B.A. in Philosophy/Law & Society with a minor in Russian Studies from UC Riverside, where she served as Internal Chair of Philanthropy in the Iota Xi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. She received her Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish from the State of California in 2016.