Hundreds of Sixth Circuit federal appeals for Social Security claimants — with favorable outcomes reported across those cases — is not a typical career record for any disability attorney, let alone one operating as a solo practitioner from a Royal Oak office while also mentoring law students at a federal pro se clinic.
Overview
Versical Law PLLC is a Royal Oak, Michigan disability law firm founded by Bethany Grace Versical, a Cardozo Law graduate who has practiced exclusively in disability law since completing her J.D. in 2010. The firm handles Social Security Disability claims at every stage from initial application through federal district court appeals, as well as Veterans Disability Compensation claims and Appeals Council briefs.
The firm’s operational model accommodates clients across the region: many cases are handled entirely virtually, allowing clients anywhere in Michigan (and beyond, given the firm’s federal court admissions) to work with the firm without in-person visits. For those who prefer in-person service, appointments are available at the Royal Oak office. Documents can be submitted by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery.
Versical Law operates on a contingency fee basis exclusively — no upfront costs, and fees are only collected if benefits are won. That structure removes the financial barrier for Social Security claimants, who are typically in a period of financial strain when they seek legal assistance.
Bethany Versical is rated by Super Lawyers and received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award in 2018. She is a member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives), the primary professional organization for attorneys and advocates who represent Social Security claimants. She speaks at legal conferences on Social Security law and mentors students at the University of Detroit Mercy federal pro se legal clinic.
She holds bar admissions in Michigan and New York, and is admitted to federal courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio — a multi-district federal footprint that allows representation in Social Security appeals across a broad geographic range.
Practice Areas
Social Security Disability Claims — Initial Applications. The process begins with an initial application to the Social Security Administration. The firm represents claimants from this first stage, building the evidentiary record that will support the claim at every subsequent level.
Administrative Appeals — Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge. When an initial claim is denied — as the majority of initial claims are — the next step is a hearing before a Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). These hearings require preparation of the medical record, written arguments, vocational expert testimony management, and effective examination by the attorney. Versical handles ALJ hearings as part of her disability practice.
Appeals Council Briefs. When an ALJ denies a claim, the claimant may request review by the Social Security Appeals Council. This requires a written brief arguing that the ALJ committed legal error or that the decision is not supported by substantial evidence. The firm prepares Appeals Council briefs as a standalone service for clients who need this specific level of representation.
Federal District Court Appeals. When the Appeals Council denies review or issues an unfavorable decision, the claimant may appeal to federal district court. Versical’s admissions to the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio allow her to pursue these federal appeals. Her reported record of hundreds of favorable Sixth Circuit outcomes reflects consistent success at this level.
Veterans Disability Compensation. The firm handles Veterans Disability Compensation claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Versical holds admission to practice before the United States Veterans’ Administration, which is the authorization required for attorneys representing veterans in these proceedings.
Attorney Profiles
Bethany Grace Versical is the founder and sole attorney at Versical Law PLLC. She earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan in 2007 (English, with a Spanish minor) and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York in 2010. She has practiced exclusively in disability law since graduating. She is rated by Super Lawyers and received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award in 2018. She is a NOSSCR member and a frequent speaker at legal conferences on Social Security law. She mentors students at the University of Detroit Mercy federal pro se legal clinic. She speaks English and Spanish. Her bar admissions include the State Bar of Michigan (Social Security and Appellate Sections), the State Bar of New York, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and the United States Veterans’ Administration.
Location and Service Area
220 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067. Phone: 248-886-9546. Website: https://versicallaw.com/
The firm serves Metro Detroit and the Michigan region, with federal court admissions in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, and Northern District of Ohio. Many cases are handled entirely virtually, expanding the effective service area for clients who are unable or prefer not to travel.
Free consultations are available. Both virtual and in-person appointments are offered (in-person by appointment).
Client Focus
The firm’s clients are individuals who have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and been denied, veterans seeking disability compensation, and claimants at any stage of the administrative or federal court appeal process. The contingency fee model — no fees unless benefits are won — reflects the financial reality of the client population: people who are unable to work due to disability and who cannot afford hourly legal fees while their claims are pending.
The bilingual capability in Spanish expands the firm’s accessibility for Spanish-speaking clients navigating the Social Security system in Michigan. The virtual case handling option is particularly valuable for clients with mobility limitations or significant health conditions that make travel difficult.
The University of Detroit Mercy mentorship work reflects an investment in the next generation of Social Security practitioners, consistent with Versical’s engagement with NOSSCR and her conference speaking on Social Security law.
Languages: English, Spanish.
FAQ
What does it cost to hire Versical Law for a Social Security case?
The firm operates on a contingency fee basis only. There are no upfront costs. Fees are collected only if benefits are won. This is the standard fee arrangement for Social Security disability representation and is governed by federal regulations that cap the percentage an attorney can charge.
What is the Sixth Circuit and why does a federal appeals record there matter?
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is the federal appellate court covering Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Social Security cases that progress beyond the district court level go to the Sixth Circuit. Versical’s reported record of hundreds of favorable outcomes in Sixth Circuit appeals represents a sustained track record at the highest level of Social Security litigation available in the federal system.
Can the firm handle my case if I am not in Metro Detroit?
Yes. Many cases are handled entirely virtually, with document submission by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery. Bethany Versical is also admitted to federal courts in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio, covering a broad geographic footprint.
What is a Veterans Disability Compensation claim and how is it different from Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability (SSDI and SSI) is a federal benefit administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals who cannot work due to a qualifying disability. Veterans Disability Compensation is a separate benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for military veterans whose disabilities are connected to their service. Both require legal representation and evidence preparation, but the agencies, standards, and procedures are different. Versical is admitted to practice before the VA and handles both.
Does the firm offer services in Spanish?
Yes. Bethany Versical has a Spanish minor from the University of Michigan and provides services in Spanish for clients who prefer to communicate in that language.
Closing
A contingency-only fee structure, multi-district federal court admissions, and a documented record across hundreds of Sixth Circuit appeals give Versical Law a practice profile that is substantively stronger than its single-attorney size might suggest — one built through consistent specialization in a legal area where most clients arrive already denied and in financial distress.