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Social Security Disability Lawyer · Virginia Beach, VA/Updated June 13, 2026

The Best Social Security Disability Lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA

Finding the right Social Security Disability Lawyer can be daunting. Our top picks are based on real reviews and proven success.

Editorially independent9 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceThe Gately Law Firm
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 9 Virginia Beach-metro social security disability lawyer businesses evaluated, top 9 ranked by Vetted Score.

Social Security Disability Lawyers play a vital role in helping individuals navigate the complexities of disability claims. In Virginia Beach, where many residents depend on these services for financial stability, having a competent lawyer can make all the difference. Whether you're applying for benefits or appealing a denial, the right legal support is essential.

To compile our list, we evaluated nine local law firms based on their customer reviews, success rates, and overall reputation. Our methodology ensures that no business pays for placement, allowing for an unbiased ranking based solely on merit and client satisfaction.

9social security disability lawyers evaluated in Virginia Beach
4.71average rating across the field
378customer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does social security disability lawyer cost in Virginia Beach? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
Editor's Choice
96Score

The Gately Law Firm

★★★★★4.8(60 reviews)

With a rating of 4.8 from 60 reviews, The Gately Law Firm is praised for its personalized approach and strong client advocacy.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

Gillette Law Group, PLLC

★★★★★5.0(29 reviews)

Gillette Law Group, PLLC boasts a perfect rating of 5 from 29 reviews, with clients praising their thoroughness and professionalism.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
92Score

The Law Offices of Goss & Fentress

★★★★★4.6(185 reviews)

With a solid rating of 4.6 from 185 reviews, The Law Offices of Goss & Fentress are well-regarded for their extensive experience and success in handling disability claims.

Read full review

All 9, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
The Gately Law Firm
The Gately Law Firm
Editor's Choice
96Score
4.8★★★★★
60Dedicated support in complex claims
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
29Budget-conscious clients
3
92Score
4.6★★★★★
185Experienced representation
4
89Score
4.7★★★★★
69Compassionate guidance
5
88Score
4.9★★★★★
19Thorough case preparation
6
83Score
5.0★★★★★
9Personalized legal representation
7
80Score
4.7★★★★★
3Clients seeking attentive service
8
78Score
5.0★★★★★
1Initial consultations
9
78Score
3.7★★★★★
3Basic consultations
Methodology

How we evaluated all 9 social security disability lawyers.

We assessed each law firm using a transparent scoring system that considers factors such as client feedback, case outcomes, and the number of reviews. Each lawyer's ability to communicate and provide personalized service also played a significant role in our evaluations. Our aim is to present a reliable ranking that reflects the best options for residents in Virginia Beach.

This ranking is refreshed monthly to incorporate the latest data and reviews, ensuring that our recommendations remain current and trustworthy. We last updated this list on June 13, 2026, to maintain accuracy and relevance.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

The Gately Law Firm

★★★★★4.8(60 reviews)
96Score

With a rating of 4.8 from 60 reviews, The Gately Law Firm is praised for its personalized approach and strong client advocacy. Reviewers often highlight their responsiveness and expertise in navigating complex cases. They are best for those seeking dedicated support throughout the claims process. However, their service area may be limited, which could affect accessibility for some clients.

Pros

  • Personalized service
  • Strong client advocacy
  • High success rate

Cons

  • Limited service area
  • Higher fees than some competitors
Best forDedicated support in complex claims
Service areaVirginia Beach and surrounding areas
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25% to 33%
2
Best Value

Gillette Law Group, PLLC

★★★★★5.0(29 reviews)
95Score

Gillette Law Group, PLLC boasts a perfect rating of 5 from 29 reviews, with clients praising their thoroughness and professionalism. They excel in providing value for their services, making them a great choice for budget-conscious clients. While their review count is lower, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, indicating strong client satisfaction.

Pros

  • Perfect rating
  • Thorough and professional
  • Good value

Cons

  • Fewer reviews may indicate less experience
  • Limited availability
Best forBudget-conscious clients
Service areaVirginia Beach and nearby regions
Typical pricingContingency fees around 25%
3
Most Reviewed

The Law Offices of Goss & Fentress

★★★★★4.6(185 reviews)
92Score

With a solid rating of 4.6 from 185 reviews, The Law Offices of Goss & Fentress are well-regarded for their extensive experience and success in handling disability claims. Clients commend their thoroughness and professionalism. However, their large volume of cases may lead to less individualized attention for some clients. That is a substantial body of feedback for a local operator, enough to trust the rating rather than credit a lucky streak. Most of what reviewers hire it for is experienced representation. It serves Virginia Beach and surrounding areas, with contingency fees of 25% to 33% pricing, and the honest trade-offs are less individualized attention and higher case volume.

Pros

  • High success rate
  • Extensive experience
  • Thorough representation

Cons

  • Less individualized attention
  • Higher case volume
Best forExperienced representation
Service areaVirginia Beach and surrounding areas
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25% to 33%
4

O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group

★★★★★4.7(69 reviews)
89Score

O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group has a rating of 4.7 from 69 reviews, with clients praising their compassionate approach and effective communication. They are known for guiding clients through the challenging disability claim process. A potential drawback is their varying availability, which may impact response times. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is compassionate guidance. It serves Virginia Beach and nearby areas, with contingency fees of 25% to 33% pricing, and the honest trade-offs are varying availability and response times may lag.

Pros

  • Compassionate service
  • Effective communication
  • Client-focused approach

Cons

  • Varying availability
  • Response times may lag
Best forCompassionate guidance
Service areaVirginia Beach and nearby areas
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25% to 33%
5

Disability Law Center of David L. Horne, PLLC

★★★★★4.9(19 reviews)
88Score

With a rating of 4.9 from 19 reviews, the Disability Law Center of David L. Horne, PLLC is noted for their effective representation and commitment to clients. Reviewers appreciate their thorough case preparation and timely updates. However, their thin review base means they remain promising but unproven compared to more established firms.

Pros

  • Effective representation
  • Thorough case preparation
  • Timely communication

Cons

  • Thin review base
  • Less established than competitors
Best forThorough case preparation
Service areaVirginia Beach
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25%
6

Fentress, Russell J

★★★★★5.0(9 reviews)
83Score

Fentress, Russell J holds a perfect 5 rating from 9 reviews, with clients praising his attentive and professional service. While he is highly regarded, the limited number of reviews makes his practice feel less tested. He is best suited for clients seeking a highly personalized experience, but his availability may be a concern.

Pros

  • Highly personalized service
  • Perfect rating
  • Attentive to client needs

Cons

  • Limited reviews
  • Availability may be an issue
Best forPersonalized legal representation
Service areaVirginia Beach
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25%
7

John O Goss

★★★★★4.7(3 reviews)
80Score

John O Goss has a solid rating of 4.7 from 3 reviews, indicating a promising start for his practice. Clients appreciate his thorough understanding of the law and commitment to their cases. However, with only a few reviews, his experience level remains unproven, which may make some clients hesitant. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is clients seeking attentive service. It serves Virginia Beach, with contingency fees of 25% pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very few reviews and unproven experience.

Pros

  • Thorough understanding of the law
  • Client commitment

Cons

  • Very few reviews
  • Unproven experience
Best forClients seeking attentive service
Service areaVirginia Beach
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25%
8

Disability Law Group

★★★★★5.0(1 reviews)
78Score

Disability Law Group has a perfect 5 rating from just 1 review, indicating high satisfaction but also a lack of substantial feedback. Clients commend the lawyer’s responsiveness and dedication. However, this thin review base raises concerns about their overall experience and reliability in handling cases. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is initial consultations. It serves Virginia Beach, with contingency fees of 25% pricing, and the honest trade-offs are only 1 review and unproven track record.

Pros

  • High satisfaction in initial feedback
  • Responsive service

Cons

  • Only 1 review
  • Unproven track record
Best forInitial consultations
Service areaVirginia Beach
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25%
9

Social Security Rights Center

★★★★★3.7(3 reviews)
78Score

Social Security Rights Center has a rating of 3.7 from 3 reviews, indicating a need for improvement in client satisfaction. Some clients appreciate their straightforward approach, but others express concerns over communication and outcomes. This mixed feedback suggests that potential clients should proceed with caution when considering their services. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is basic consultations. It serves Virginia Beach, with contingency fees of 25% pricing, and the honest trade-offs are mixed reviews and concerns over communication.

Pros

  • Straightforward approach
  • Honest communication

Cons

  • Mixed reviews
  • Concerns over communication
Best forBasic consultations
Service areaVirginia Beach
Typical pricingContingency fees of 25%
Before you book

How to choose a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Virginia Beach

Selecting the right Social Security Disability Lawyer is crucial for a successful claim. Here are key factors to consider when making your choice.

Experience and Specialization

Look for lawyers who specialize in Social Security Disability cases and have a track record of success.

Client Reviews

Check reviews and testimonials from past clients to gauge satisfaction and outcomes.

Communication Style

Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and is responsive to your questions and concerns.

Fee Structure

Understand their fee structure, including any upfront costs or contingency fees, to avoid surprises.

What it costs

What Social Security Disability Lawyers cost in Virginia Beach

The cost of hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer can vary significantly based on experience and case complexity. Here’s what you can generally expect.

Consultation FeesSome lawyers offer free consultations, while others may charge between $100 to $300.
Contingency FeesMost lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, typically charging 25% to 33% of the back pay awarded.
Additional CostsExpect additional costs for filing fees and other administrative expenses, usually ranging from $50 to $200.
Hourly RatesIf charged hourly, rates can range from $150 to $500, depending on the lawyer's experience.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Social Security Disability Lawyers cost in Virginia Beach?

Most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, typically charging 25% to 33% of the back pay awarded.

What should I look for in a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

Look for experience, client reviews, communication style, and fee structure.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Virginia Beach residents: The Gately Law Firm

For those seeking reliable representation, The Gately Law Firm stands out with its high ratings and personalized service. Following closely are Gillette Law Group, PLLC and The Law Offices of Goss & Fentress, both known for their professionalism and strong client satisfaction.