Pro Se
is not something I would recommend in the setting you are in.
Seasoned and experienced lawyers do not always navigate easily amidst
the various Federal Court Rules and Local Court Rules. To expect
that you can do it I think is a mistake. I do not practice in your
jurisdiction and can not speculate what the answer is.
I strongly encourage
you to seek local counsel to address the specific facts of your
particular situation. You would do well to search http://www.lawyers.com/find-a-lawyer.html for the state
your case is filed and "Social Security Disability" for type of
law. In addition, your local Legal Aid Office, nearby Law School
that has a legal clinic, or http://www.nosscr.org/.
Pro
Se is
appropriate for small claims actions when no lawyers are involved.
In a Social Security Disability case in Federal District Court, you
are up against an experienced Assistant U.S. Attorney. As I suggest
to anyone asking me about a criminal case, and going to Court without
a lawyer: "If my liberty were at stake, that is, I could end up in
jail, I would take a lawyer. You never know what the Judge is going
to do."
In
your case, it sounds as though you are early enough in the proceeding
to hire someone, and not make the mistake of trying to do this on
your own.
Good
luck!
Answered on Oct 31st, 2011 at 9:41 PM