In 2012, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives documented that John E. Horn had more published Social Security disability wins that year than any other attorney in the country. That record did not emerge from a single exceptional year: Horn has been practicing Social Security disability law for more than 40 years, and his partner H. Elizabeth Kelley brings more than 30 years in the same area. Horn & Kelley, P.C. has represented over 5,000 clients in disability proceedings and operates on a contingency basis, meaning no fee is collected unless the client wins.
Practice Areas
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides benefits to individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes and who have become unable to work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The application and appeal process is multi-step, and approval rates at the initial application level are historically low. The firm represents claimants at every stage: initial application, reconsideration, hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and federal court review if necessary.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides disability benefits to individuals who are disabled and have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Many claimants pursue both SSDI and SSI simultaneously where eligibility conditions are met. The firm handles SSI claims and appeals alongside SSDI proceedings.
Administrative Law Judge Hearings
The hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is the stage where most disability claims are won or lost. The ALJ hearing requires preparation of the medical record, identification of the strongest evidence in support of the claim, and examination of the claimant and any medical or vocational experts present. With over 40 years of ALJ hearing experience, Horn and Kelley have appeared before a large number of judges and understand what effective hearing advocacy requires.
Social Security Disability Appeals to Federal Court
When an ALJ decision is unfavorable, claimants may appeal to the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, or, in rare circumstances, the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Horn and Kelley are admitted to the U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals. Horn is also admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Taking a disability claim through federal court review requires a different set of skills from administrative practice, and the firm handles cases at this level when the record warrants it.
On-The-Record Approvals
In some cases, the medical record is sufficiently strong that the firm can seek approval of a claim without requiring the claimant to attend a formal hearing. These On-The-Record (OTR) requests, when granted, allow deserving claimants to receive benefits without the delay and stress of a hearing.
Denied Claim Representation
Many clients come to the firm after an initial denial, which is the most common outcome of a first application. The firm evaluates denied claims and advises on the viability of appeal, then represents the claimant through the reconsideration and hearing levels.
Attorney Profiles
John E. Horn is a founding partner who has practiced Social Security disability law for more than 40 years. He is licensed before the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court. His bar memberships include the Chicago Bar Association, American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Southwest Bar Association, South Suburban Bar Association, and West Suburban Bar Association. In 2018 and 2019, he was selected for Top Attorneys of North America. In 2012, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives Forum documented that Horn had more published Social Security disability wins than any other attorney in the country that year. His specific law school education is not publicly confirmed.
H. Elizabeth Kelley is a founding partner who has practiced Social Security disability law for more than 30 years. She holds a B.A. from Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia (1975) and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and is admitted before the U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals. Together, the two partners bring more than 70 years of combined experience in Social Security disability law.
Locations and Service Area
Primary Office:
16710 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477
Chicago Office:
10336 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL
La Grange Office:
1030 S La Grange Rd, La Grange, IL
Highland, Indiana Office:
9013 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN
Phone: 888-921-5297 / 877-614-8861 (toll-free)
Website: https://www.johnehornattorney.com/
All offices are located on the first floor, a practical decision that reflects the needs of clients who use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. The firm serves the Chicagoland area including Tinley Park, Chicago, La Grange, Joliet, Orland Park, and surrounding suburbs, as well as Northwest Indiana communities including Hammond, Whiting, Merrillville, Highland, Munster, Dyer, and Griffith.
Client Approach
Consultations are free. The firm works on a contingency fee basis: no fee is charged unless the client wins their case. For disability claimants who are unable to work, this arrangement removes a financial barrier to representation. The firm’s multi-office structure across the south and southwest Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana is designed to give clients accessible locations close to where they live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Horn & Kelley works on a contingency fee basis?
A contingency arrangement means the firm does not charge any fee unless the client wins their Social Security disability claim. If successful, the fee is typically a percentage of back benefits awarded, subject to Social Security Administration limits. There is no upfront cost to retain the firm.
Why does it matter that all offices are on the first floor?
Social Security disability claimants often have physical limitations that make stairs difficult or impossible to navigate. Locating all offices on the first floor is a deliberate accommodation that removes a physical barrier to accessing legal representation.
What is the significance of John Horn’s 2012 recognition by the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives?
The organization tracks published decisions, and the Forum’s documentation that Horn led the country in published Social Security disability wins in 2012 is an independently sourced measure of case volume and success, not a self-reported metric.
Can the firm take a case to federal court if the Administrative Law Judge denies the claim?
Yes. Both Horn and Kelley are admitted to the U.S. District Court and Court of Appeals. Horn is also admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal court review requires demonstrating that the ALJ’s decision was not supported by substantial evidence or was the result of legal error, and the firm handles cases at this level.
What is an On-The-Record approval?
When the medical record documenting a claimant’s disability is sufficiently strong, the firm may request that the Social Security Administration approve the claim based on the file alone, without scheduling a formal hearing. If granted, this can significantly shorten the time to a decision and spares the claimant from the hearing process.