Joel F Friedman

Dan Ryan · May 2026

After getting a denial of my claim from Social Security, I called Mr. Pekas after reading his reviews. I spoke to his assistant on the telephone. She scheduled an appointment for a telephone interview - not to see Mr. Pekas in person. On the appointed date and time, I got the call. It was from th e same assistant who asked me a series of questions and subsequently declined to represent me, siting that I was one quarter short and my last day insured was too early. She suggested I could go back to work an additional quarter and maybe I would qualify after my last day insured is updated. I checked with Social Security and confirmed their information was outdated. I got corrected information and Called Mr. Pekas' assistant back, leaving her a detailed message. She never returned my call. I then found another attorney who brought into his office for a consultation, reviewed the same information. This other attorney said he was confident he could help. I hired him instead of Mr. Pekas. Lesson - Attorney should be involved in intake review.

anonymous · May 2026

Jeremy was a great help in prepping for, and representing me in, my disability hearing. His expertize was very valuable. I'd definitely use him again for this kind of case.

Michael · May 2026

I am an actual client of the law offices of Ober and Pekas and am writing this review approximately 1 year after my case settled I interviewed a half dozen law firms to represent me on my medical disability claim denial case, and hands down the law offices of Ober and Pekas are the very best. Jer emy is an expert in social security disability, and understands the various nuances of the law. He is also well versed in ERISA laws. Jeremy is compassionate and grounded. His advice is direct and spot on; he is honest and will not promise things he can't deliver. Jeremy takes a personal interest in all his cases and will go out of his way to help and support you in any way he can. When you hire Ober and Pekas they represent you from beginning to end and will not give in or drop your case until it is resolved. They will keep you informed on the progress of your case throughout the entire process. The law firm is honest and trustworthy and I highly recommend you hire them.

Niki · May 2026

After having a bad experience with my personal injury lawyer and without any referral, I didn't expect much when I called the office of Ober & Pekas, PLLC. However, Jeremy Pekas put me at ease from the very beginning when we first met. He was very reassuring, honest and professional. He explained al l my options and laid out a timeline for the entire process. Jeremy handled my case very caring and professionally. He was also very prompt with his replies to my questions. My SSDI case was settled much sooner than I expected. I couldn't be happier & am so thankful to Jeremy for taking my case. I would highly recommend Ober & Pekas, PLLC to anybody looking for Social Security benefits. When you are unable to work due to your illness & physical conditions, the last thing you need is having more disappointments & frustrations. Jeremy Pekas is an attorney you need who is experienced, ethical, caring, and passionate. I wish there're more lawyers like Jeremy.

anonymous · May 2026

Hired Mr Pekas in 2008 disability claim, I had all my doctors submitted forms/records all supported me, hereditary connective tissue disorder, brain stem compression and more isssues. It is NOT normal to be stuck in the disability application system for 8 YEARS!! I did NOT know that, as I had trust ed the Fiduciary/attorney I hired!BIG mistake! Do you know that az arizona has a Rule that Attorney can NOT take more than $6000 fee for disability case? I did NOT know! Well NOW it makes sense WHY i was stuck for 8 years. MONEY!! $6000 fee versus 25% of hundreds of thousands of $$ fee. SHAMEFUL! behavior. My Geneticist I saw in 2015 asked me WHY i had not been approved for disability(as her other 3000 patients with this rare disorder ALL had been approved within 6 to 12 months of their applcation. SHE told me it is fishy and NOT right and to CONTACT my Senator. Bless her! I DID just that. and Bless Senator Mc, who assited me by contacting the Administrative Law judge in dissability division, I was approved shortly after that. Seems, a LOT of my medical records, Doctor forms etc had NOT been submitted, so that is why I kept getting denied( on my final 3rd? appeal/8 years in system!!) of course Mr pekas(with Caldwell Ober in 2008 when I hired him) tried to get 25% of the aprx $150k award(back from 2008 to date approved) even though small monthly $ add up over 8 years!) With Senator help Judge saw what was going on GREED and denied Mr pekas attempt to get the aproximate 30k. These are the facts. ALL medical records gathered by a claimant should be submitted in order to get approved, No attorney should leave any of them out , when asked to submit by a client/claimant.

P · May 2026

Joel, is a great guy that immediately sat down to hear my issues and help me make sense of how this area of law works. He has a ton of experience and was able to make impactful suggestions and how I could proceed. I would highly recommend him.

anonymous · employment law · May 2026

I hired this attorney in 1993, I felt I was being given the runaround on a work comp injury with my previous employer. Joel was very responsive... until I got into trouble with the law, I was using methamphetines trying to keep up with husband and mother. To boil it all down I was given a lump sum fo r $7000.00, that was ok, I could pay bills and ect. I did not realize that Joel Friedman let the insuring company put in an addumiumn (sp), If I was ever to have anymore medical problems I would have to pay back that sum of money, and I have ...2 years of major back problems and I have received less than $800.00 from my work comp case. 1992 to 2007, all I have to deal with, no money, bad jobs, alot of back pain.