Attorney Megan E. Algero joined Braud & Gallagher in early 2011 and has become an integral part of the firm’s expanding Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, and family-law practices.

Megan grew up in New Orleans and received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Tulane University in 2006.  She focused on studying Louisiana History through which she gained a true appreciation for the heritage of Louisiana, including the Civil Code.

“I appreciated very early on that the practice of law in Louisiana was rooted in a deep tradition which was founded on its unique history.”

Megan received her J.D. from Loyola University College of Law in 2009 and spent two years as a student intern at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, gaining valuable experience in criminal law. Her work there included significant involvement in domestic-violence cases and she says that experience played a role in developing her interest in family law.

“I spoke with victims of domestic violence, primarily women and children, and saw on a daily basis the effects it has on a household. It was rewarding to be able to help them get out of those situations and move on with their lives.”

At Braud & Gallagher, Megan is parlaying that experience into a practice that encompasses family law, Social Security and Workers Compensation cases. While the cases may differ widely, Megan says she applies the same personal approach to each: “ I think it is important to get in touch with clients’ personal issues and to spend a lot of time talking to them and really getting to know them and find out what’s going on in their lives and then develop an approach so that I can help them in the most effective manner.”

In assisting clients seeking Social Security benefits, Megan says one of the secrets to a successful outcome is intensive research and understanding of a client’s medical records. When it comes time for a hearing before an administrative law judge, Megan has found it highly effective to present the medical records in a logical manner, prepare her clients for the questions they will be asked and submit a pre-hearing brief in order to assist the judge in making a fair determination.

Social Security cases oftentimes take a year or longer from the time of the initial application to a final determination, and the wait for applicants can be anxiety-provoking.

“For a lot of our clients, they have had to go through major surgery or have been suffering from an ailment related to a prior accident, their settlement was used to help them recover from the accident; it might be a year or two later and they are still experiencing intense pain and they still cannot return to work,” she says. “So a lot of times it can be a very frustrating and stressful process for them.”

She points out that Social Security requires a sequential five-step evaluation to determine whether an applicant is eligible. “I focus a lot of attention on the sequential evaluation so that the judge can clearly see that the applicant is truly deserving of a favorable decision.”

“It is very fulfilling to speak to a client after they have been awarded Social Security, they sound so relieved to have some help in the battle against their disabilities and injuries.”

While not handling Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, and family law cases, Megan assists the firm’s partners, C. Arlen Braud, II and Michelle Oubre Gallagher, in their personal injury practices, and also assists clients with various other issues such as expungements and claims against British Petroleum for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the coast of Louisiana.

When not practicing law, Megan likes to travel and is an ardent participant in outdoor adventure activities, including white-water rafting, horseback riding, and zip-lining.  She enjoys participating in the local home brewing beer club, attending beer tastings and is learning to become a judge at beer-tasting competitions.  She also enjoys reading biographies and histories and spending time with her family.

But she is very focused and  determined in developing her professional career at Braud & Gallagher.

“My immediate goals are to expand the Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, and family-law practice. I’d like to see our law firm grow to the point where we can assist our clients in every aspect of their personal legal needs.”