Introduction

Judith Romanowski practiced as a registered nurse in oncology, hospice, and pediatrics before becoming an attorney. That clinical foundation now shapes how she handles Social Security disability cases at Carolina Disability Advocates, a Durham-based practice where medical complexity is not an obstacle but a starting point. The firm is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in Social Security disability law and serves clients across Orange, Chatham, Person, and Wake counties.

Practice Areas

Carolina Disability Advocates focuses entirely on Social Security disability law, representing claimants at every stage of the SSA process: initial applications, reconsiderations, hearings before administrative law judges, and appeals to the federal courts.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to workers who have accumulated sufficient work credits and can no longer engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medical condition. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides benefits based on financial need rather than work history. Both programs use the same medical standards but have different eligibility requirements, and claimants may qualify for one, both, or neither depending on their circumstances.

The SSA adjudication process is built on specific frameworks for evaluating disability. Medical records alone rarely win a case. Adjudicators assess whether a claimant conditions meet or equal a listed impairment, and if not, whether the residual functional capacity left by those conditions prevents all work activity. Attorney Romanowski understanding of both medical and legal dimensions of this analysis allows her to identify the most effective arguments for each client situation.

Attorney Romanowski is admitted to both the North Carolina Bar and the New York Bar. Her history includes work at the Legal Aid Society in New York City, where she served as assistant managing attorney in the Criminal Appeals Bureau and also litigated medical malpractice and employment law cases.

No upfront fees are required. Attorney compensation is contingent on successful outcomes, as governed by SSA regulations.

Attorney Profiles

Judith Romanowski is the lead and founding attorney at Carolina Disability Advocates. She has been certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in Social Security disability law, a designation that reflects demonstrated competency beyond standard bar admission. She began her legal career in 2005, bringing a nursing background that included clinical experience in oncology, hospice, and pediatrics. Before practicing in North Carolina, she managed housing programs within the North Carolina mental health system and served as assistant managing attorney in the Criminal Appeals Bureau at the Legal Aid Society in New York City, where she also handled medical malpractice and employment law matters. She is a member of the NC Bar and NY Bar, the NC Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) Social Security Disability Section, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR). She is active in SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) and maintains working relationships with agencies including Urban Ministries of Durham, Lincoln Community Health Center, and Alliance Behavioral Health.

Location and Service Area

Carolina Disability Advocates is located in Durham, North Carolina, and serves clients throughout Orange, Chatham, Person, and Wake counties. Attorney Romanowski works with local clinics, social workers, and community health professionals to assist clients whose medical and financial circumstances intersect.

Visit carolinadisabilityadvocates.com/ for contact information and consultation requests.

Client Focus

The firm serves disabled North Carolinians who are pursuing SSDI or SSI benefits from the Social Security Administration. Clients often come from healthcare settings or community organizations, referred by social workers, clinicians, or disability advocacy groups that know Attorney Romanowski work through SOAR and related initiatives.

Many clients have complex medical histories involving mental health conditions, chronic illness, or physical disabilities. The attorney former nursing background gives her insight into clinical presentations that a purely legal perspective would miss. Her community connections with Durham-area health and social service organizations mean she can connect clients with support resources beyond legal representation.

The contingency fee structure and no-upfront-cost model ensure that disabled individuals with limited income can access experienced legal representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that the attorney is a State Bar certified specialist?
North Carolina State Bar certification as a specialist in Social Security disability law requires the attorney to meet specific criteria beyond basic bar admission, including demonstrated competency in the specialty area. It identifies attorneys with concentrated knowledge in the field.

What levels of the SSA process does the firm handle?
The firm represents clients at all levels: initial applications, reconsiderations, hearings before administrative law judges, and appeals to federal court.

What is the fee arrangement?
No upfront fees are required. Attorney fees are contingent on a successful outcome and are governed by SSA regulations, which cap the amount and require agency approval.

What is SOAR?
SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery. It is a national program designed to help individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness access Social Security disability benefits. Attorney Romanowski is active in SOAR and connected to the community organizations it supports.

What counties does the firm serve?
The firm serves clients in Orange, Chatham, Person, and Wake counties in North Carolina.

Closing

Carolina Disability Advocates brings a combination of legal specialization, clinical background, and community connection that is uncommon in Social Security disability practice. For disabled North Carolinians in Durham and surrounding counties who need experienced representation at any stage of the SSA process, the firm offers no-upfront-fee access to a State Bar certified specialist.

Contact the firm through carolinadisabilityadvocates.com/ to submit a consultation request or reach the office directly by phone.