Need recommendations for TWC unemployment attorney in DFW area (preferably Black female lawyer)
My TWC unemployment claim was denied last week and I'm getting ready to appeal. The determination letter says I was terminated for misconduct, but that's absolutely not what happened - my position was eliminated during a company restructure. This is a pretty complex situation with a lot at stake (around $14,000 in potential benefits), so I want to hire an attorney who specializes in Texas unemployment cases to represent me at the appeal hearing. Does anyone have recommendations for reputable unemployment lawyers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? I would prefer to work with a Black female attorney if possible. I've tried searching online but there are so many general practice attorneys and it's hard to tell who actually has experience with TWC appeals. Any personal experiences or recommendations would be really helpful!
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Sophia Carter
I went through a similar appeal last year and used the Texas Workforce Commission's own resources instead of hiring an attorney. They have advocate services that can guide you through the appeal process for free. Have you tried contacting TWC directly about this? Sometimes paying for a lawyer isn't necessary for these cases.
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Aaron Boston
•Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already tried working with TWC's advocacy services. My case has some complicated issues around how the company classified my separation, and I really need someone who can help me gather the right evidence and present a strong case. I'm willing to pay for representation because there's so much at stake financially.
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Chloe Zhang
i dont have a specific recommendation but make sure whoever u hire actually SPECIALIZES in unemployment cases!!! my cousin hired some general practice lawyer who barely knew the twc rules and it was a complete waste of money lol. good luck finding someone who matches what ur looking for!!
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Brandon Parker
I can recommend Patricia Johnson at Johnson Employment Law. She's a Black female attorney who handled my TWC appeal last year. Very knowledgeable about unemployment law and helped me overturn my initial denial. She's in Arlington and offers free initial consultations. Her office prepares all the documentation and coaches you on what to expect during the phone hearing. Also, the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas sometimes has free legal clinics specifically for unemployment issues. They might be able to recommend other attorneys who specialize in this area if Patricia isn't available.
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Aaron Boston
•Thank you so much! This is exactly the kind of recommendation I was looking for. I'll reach out to Patricia Johnson first thing tomorrow. Did she charge a flat fee or hourly rate for your case?
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Brandon Parker
•She offered me both options. I went with the flat fee (around $1200) which covered everything from preparation through the hearing. Given the amount of benefits you're fighting for, it might be worth it. She won my case and I got all my back benefits, which was about $7,500.
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Adriana Cohn
why specifically a black female attorney? seems like a weird requirement. you should focus on finding someone with the best track record regardless of race or gender.
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Jace Caspullo
•People have their own personal reasons for wanting to work with specific types of professionals that make them feel comfortable and represented. That's their choice and perfectly reasonable. Let's stay focused on helping OP find appropriate legal representation for their TWC appeal rather than questioning their preferences.
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Aaron Boston
•It's just my personal preference to work with someone I feel comfortable with. I've had better experiences with Black female professionals in the past who understood my workplace challenges. But I'm open to any recommendations for attorneys who have experience with TWC appeals.
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Melody Miles
Have you tried contacting TWC directly? I was getting NOWHERE with my claim issues - busy signals, disconnections, the whole frustrating mess. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual TWC agent in about 20 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh I was able to talk to someone who explained exactly what documentation I needed for my appeal and what to expect during the hearing. Might help you get some clarity before spending money on a lawyer.
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Aaron Boston
•Thanks for sharing this resource. Getting through to TWC has been incredibly frustrating. I might try this service to get more information about my appeal timeline and process while I'm looking for an attorney.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
Not to sound critical but trying to get $14,000 in benefits seems excessive? The max weekly benefit amount in Texas is only like $594 which would be around 23 weeks of benefits. Are you including additional claims or something? Just making sure youre expectations are realistic before paying for a lawyer
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Brandon Parker
•The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is actually $685 in Texas, and a standard claim can last up to 26 weeks. That's about $17,810 potential maximum benefits for a full claim period. So $14,000 is definitely within a realistic range, especially for someone who had a higher-paying position. Plus, if there are retroactive payments involved, it adds up quickly.
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Aaron Boston
•Yes, the amount includes retroactive benefits from when I first filed 8 weeks ago plus the potential future benefits I'm eligible for based on my prior earnings. I was a senior project manager before the layoff, so my weekly benefit amount is near the maximum.
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Jace Caspullo
I work at a community legal clinic, and while I can't make specific attorney recommendations, I can offer some advice on finding representation for TWC appeals: 1. Contact the Dallas Bar Association's lawyer referral service - they can connect you with attorneys who specifically handle unemployment cases 2. The Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA) has a directory where you can search by practice area and location 3. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas has an Employment Law Hotline that provides referrals to attorneys who take unemployment cases 4. Consider reaching out to law school legal clinics at SMU or UNT Dallas - they sometimes take unemployment cases as teaching experiences When interviewing attorneys, ask specifically about their experience with Texas unemployment appeals and their success rate. Request references if possible. Most reputable unemployment attorneys will offer a free initial consultation.
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Aaron Boston
•Thank you for these excellent resources! I'll definitely check out the Dallas Bar Association's referral service and TELA. I hadn't thought about law school clinics - that's a great suggestion too.
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Chloe Zhang
anyone here kno how long these appeal hearings usually take?? my friend had one last month and said it was like 15 minutes on the phone and the judge just asked a few questions
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Brandon Parker
•It really varies depending on the complexity of your case. Simple cases might only take 15-20 minutes, but if there are multiple witnesses or disputed facts, it can go for an hour or more. My hearing with Patricia lasted about 45 minutes, and she did most of the talking.
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Sophia Carter
While looking for an attorney is certainly your right, I'd still recommend trying to resolve this on your own first. The appeal process for TWC cases is designed to be navigated without legal representation. The hearing officer will ask questions to get the facts and make a decision based on Texas law. Before hiring an attorney, consider: 1. Carefully reading your determination letter to understand exactly why you were denied 2. Gathering all documentation that proves your position was eliminated (emails, termination letter, severance agreement, etc.) 3. Making a list of witnesses who can testify that your job was eliminated 4. Practicing your explanation of why you believe the determination is incorrect If you still want an attorney after preparing these items, you'll be in a better position to evaluate whether they're knowledgeable about your specific situation.
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Aaron Boston
•I appreciate the detailed advice. You're right that I should get all my documentation in order regardless of whether I hire an attorney. The determination letter specifically says my employer claimed I violated company policy, which is completely false - it was definitely a position elimination. I have the reduction-in-force paperwork to prove it. Maybe I'll try preparing my own case while simultaneously looking into the attorney recommendations.
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