Contact Information
Phone: (503) 227-4600
Fax: (503) 248-6800
E-Mail: Click here »
Joined Firm
July 3, 2006
Admitted to Practice
Oregon State Bar: 1992
Oregon Federal District Court: 2001
Education
Albany Law School (J.D. 1992)
University of California, Los Angeles
(B.A. Geography 1984)
Prior Experience
Metropolitan Public Defenders Criminal Defense and Civil Commitments Staff Attorney Tried numerous jury and court trials. Represented hundreds of clients at civil commitment hearings.
SHARON MAYNARD was born in Ashland, Wisconsin and grew up in California. She obtained her bachelors degree from UCLA in 1984, and her law degree in 1992 from Albany Law School in New York. A citizen of Oregon since 1992, she worked over eight years for Metropolitan Public Defender (MPD) handling both felony and misdemeanor criminal matters. Her last year and a half at MPD, Sharon represented allegedly mentally ill persons in civil commitment proceedings, an experience which kindled a strong interest in representing disabled people. In 2001, Sharon changed her practice from criminal to Social Security Disability law focusing her entire practice on representing claimants who have been denied benefits at all stages of the appeals process including Federal Court.
Sharon is also a frequent speaker on Social Security Disability issues.
Areas of Practice
Social Security Disability Law -- Represents claimants who have been denied either Disability Insurance Benefits or Supplemental Security Income in both administrative and federal Court appeals.
Significant Cases
Administrative Cases
Successfully represented numerous claimants suffering from impairments including:
fibromyalgia, myofacial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons,
chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, emphysema, COPD, diabetes, traumatic brain injury,
stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, renal disease,
arthritis, epilepsy, lupus, failed back syndrome, neuropathy, nerve damage, musculoskeletal
pain, hepatitis C, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, degenerative disc disease, degenerative
joint disease, and mental illness including: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder, personality disorders and cognitive disorders.
Federal Court Cases
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals - won for payment a case where the claimant suffered from
a combination of impairments including a low IQ, degenerative joint disease, mental illness,
and a seizure disorder.
US District Court of Oregon - won for payment or further proceedings numerous cases whereby the Administrative Law Judge improperly discredited the claimants testimony, the testimony of the claimants family or friends, or the opinions of treating or examining physicians.
