Courtney Egger
Livermore
Summary
Attorney with more than 15 years of progressively responsible experience in federal administrative adjudication with the Social Security Administration. Extensive experience analyzing complex legal, medical, and evidentiary issues; conducting quasi-judicial hearings; drafting legally sufficient decisions; and advising Administrative Law Judges on procedural and substantive matters arising under federal statutes and regulations. Demonstrated expertise in administrative law, due process, evidentiary development, credibility determinations, findings of fact, regulatory interpretation, and judicial decision writing. Recognized for leadership, mentoring, training, and subject matter expertise in adjudicatory policy and procedure.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Attorney Advisor, GS-13
Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings Operations
Stockton, California
10.2019 - Current
- Provide adjudicatory and legal support to Administrative Law Judges by drafting legally sufficient decisions and advising on complex legal, medical, and procedural issues arising under the Social Security Act and implementing regulations.
- Analyze extensive evidentiary records, frequently exceeding 2,000 pages, including medical evidence, vocational evidence, hearing testimony, and documentary submissions.
- Conduct comprehensive legal analysis involving federal statutes, regulations, Social Security Rulings, agency policy, and applicable case law.
- Consistently meet or exceed agency productivity standards while maintaining a high Appeals Council agreement rate.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for management and staff regarding adjudicatory policy, procedural requirements, evidentiary standards, and regulatory interpretation.
- Develop and deliver training presentations on topics including fraud and similar fault, medical impairments, evidentiary procedures, and adjudicatory policy updates.
- Mentor Attorney Advisors by establishing structured developmental goals, reviewing written decisions, providing technical legal guidance, and ensuring legal sufficiency and clarity of adjudicatory decisions.
- Completed a one-year detail assignment as a Hearing Officer with Disability Determination Services.
- Conducted quasi-judicial hearings through video and telephonic proceedings while ensuring compliance with due process requirements.
- Administered oaths, questioned witnesses, directed hearing proceedings, evaluated witness credibility, and assessed testimonial and documentary evidence.
- Issued written decisions containing findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with governing federal statutes, regulations, and agency policy.
- Resolved procedural issues and developed evidentiary records necessary for complete and fair adjudication.
- Full-Time, Federal Service
Senior Attorney Advisor, GS-13
Social Security Administration, National Case Assistance Center
Richmond, California
02.2017 - 10.2019
- Provided nationwide adjudicatory support to Administrative Law Judges across all agency regions.
- Drafted legally sufficient decisions involving complex legal, medical, procedural, and evidentiary issues.
- Managed a high-volume caseload involving extensive medical documentation and complex factual records.
- Volunteered for assignments beyond standard productivity requirements in support of agency operational goals.
- Maintained a high Appeals Council agreement rate and consistently produced high-quality written decisions.
- Developed onboarding and training programs for newly hired Attorney Advisors, including instructional materials and training schedules.
- Served as reviewer and mentor for multiple decision writers by providing legal guidance, editing draft decisions, and approving final work products.
- Conducted individualized instruction to improve legal writing, analytical reasoning, and adjudicatory performance.
- Served as a subject matter expert regarding adjudicatory procedures, policy interpretation, evidentiary standards, and complex case issues.
- Delivered presentations and training sessions regarding Appeals Council remand trends, Social Security Rulings, evidentiary procedures, and policy updates.
- Full-Time, Federal Service
Attorney Advisor, GS-12
Social Security Administration, Regional Case Assistance Center
Stockton, California
09.2009 - 02.2017
- Drafted decisions for Administrative Law Judges involving Social Security disability adjudications.
- Reviewed and analyzed legal, medical, vocational, and evidentiary records to support accurate and legally sufficient adjudications.
- Applied federal statutes, regulations, Social Security Rulings, agency policy, and relevant legal authority in adjudicatory decision-making.
- Maintained an Appeals Council agreement rate exceeding agency performance goals.
- Received positive feedback from Administrative Law Judges regarding the quality, clarity, and analytical strength of written decisions.
- Mentored newly hired Attorney Advisors by reviewing and editing draft decisions and providing guidance regarding applicable legal authorities and adjudicatory procedures.
- Advised Administrative Law Judges and colleagues regarding legal and procedural issues arising during adjudication.
- Developed and presented training materials on Social Security Rulings, continuing disability reviews, mental health impairment regulations, and agency policy guidance.
- Collaborated in delivering region-wide training regarding updated regulations applicable to mental health impairments.
- Provided technical guidance regarding agency adjudicatory software systems and procedural tools.
- Coordinated with claimants’ representatives to resolve evidentiary and procedural matters, including medical source development, work activity reports, fee agreements, earnings records, and amended onset dates.
- Full-Time, Federal Service
Education
Juris Doctor -
Golden Gate University
San Francisco, California12.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California06.2003
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SSA Adjudicatory Systems and Case Processing Software
- Legal Research and Electronic Records Management Systems
- Video and Telephonic Hearing Platforms
Timeline
Senior Attorney Advisor, GS-13
Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings Operations
10.2019 - Current
Senior Attorney Advisor, GS-13
Social Security Administration, National Case Assistance Center
02.2017 - 10.2019
Attorney Advisor, GS-12
Social Security Administration, Regional Case Assistance Center
09.2009 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Legal Studies
University of California, Santa Cruz
Juris Doctor -
Golden Gate University
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Consistently maintained Appeals Council agreement rates exceeding agency performance standards., Recognized by Administrative Law Judges and management for excellence in legal writing, adjudicatory analysis, and decision quality., Selected to serve as a Hearing Officer during a detail assignment based on demonstrated adjudicatory expertise and leadership ability., Recognized as a subject matter expert in adjudicatory policy, evidentiary standards, and procedural issues., Commended for mentoring and training Attorney Advisors and supporting adjudicatory quality improvement initiatives.