Pritchard Law has 20 years of law experience with 15 years specializing in disability law. Attorney Michelle Carswell Pritchard and her staff champion claims at all stages of the Social Security disability process, from initial consultation and application to representation in Federal Court.
Michelle is a Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law by the North Carolina State Bar. In addition to advocating Social Security disability claims at all stages, Michelle has represented Veterans before the Board of Veteran’s Appeals, represented clients in Worker’s Compensation cases from the Industrial Commission to the North Carolina Appellate Courts, and testified as an Expert Witness in Social Security Disability in Worker’s Compensation cases before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. With an extensive medico-legal background, Michelle tried numerous cases in District and Superior court, both civil and criminal, at both the State and Federal level, in both North Carolina and California.
Earlier in Michelle’s career, she served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Lance A. Ito for the duration of the People v. O.J. Simpson criminal case, was Lead Associate Attorney on the computer hacking case of United States v. Kevin Mitnick, and served as Associate Attorney in the ‘Pulp Fiction’ copyright lawsuit of Robert Hafner and The Revels v. Disney, Miramax, MCA Records, and Universal Music Group.
Education
Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, California
J.D. – 1995 – Honors – Gunnar Nicholson Endowed Scholarship
Davidson College
B.A. – 1992 – Honors – Alumni Scholarships
Bar Admissions
North Carolina – 1999
US District Court, Western District of North Carolina – 2001
US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims – 1998
California – 1996
US District Court, Central District of California – 1997
US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit – 1997
US District Court, Middle District of North Carolina - 2016
Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Burke County Bar Association
Pritchard Law is Disability Law