Maryjean’s Corner
Welcome to Maryjean’s Corner
Press Release
On October 10, 2017 Maryjean Ellis taught Social Security Disability Law At National Program via live webcast:
Lawline, the pre-eminent national on-line continuing legal education provider retained local Attorney Maryjean Ellis to create a new course, “Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (‘DAA’) Cases in Social Security Disability and SSI: Law and Practice Tips for Helping an Underserved Population”, for its curriculum.
Maryjean’s Letter
Maryjean’s letter was published in the NJ Herald on 9/25/2017 in response to the story of the million individuals waiting for their Social Security Disability hearings. See it here:
http://www.njherald.com/20170925/disability-backlog-and-what-to-do
On March 25, 2025, Maryjean will present a seminar to National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR) members in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The subject of the seminar will be maintaining professional boundaries when representing Social Security Disability/SSI clients. She expects to explain how attorneys in this field can benefit from research on the practices of mental health clinicians in adhering to healthy professional boundaries with their clients.
In January 2025, James Publishing Inc. released a new legal guide for Social Security representatives, Mental Disorders in Social Security Disability Practice, co-authored by Maryjean! This book is the culmination of two years of research into such topics as: understanding and using the DSM; gathering and evaluating medical evidence; understanding psychological tests; presenting cases involving drug and alcohol use disorders; preparing clients for hearing; and presenting physical pain cases. Maryjean is now considered one of the national leaders in representing those afflicted with mental disorders.
In May 2024, Maryjean co-presented a seminar to the National Organization of Social Security Disability Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) entitled, “How are YOU Doing? Promoting Attorney Well-Being to Better Serve Your Clients”, in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with a clinician from the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, she taught representatives how to take better care of themselves while supporting their clients.
On April 16, 2024, Maryjean made a presentation to St. Clare’s Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) about making a successful claim for Social Security Disability/SSI benefits. She is available to speak to other support groups on similar topics.
In 2023, Maryjean was appointed by the NJ Supreme Court to the Committee on Character. The Committee on Character assists the Board of Bar Examiners in guiding the Supreme Court regarding the fitness of prospective attorneys seeking admission to the Bar in New Jersey.
Maryjean has been serving her community as a volunteer Member of the Sussex County, NJ Mental Health Board. The Board meets monthly to promote access to and availability of efficient, adequate, integrated health care services for children and adults with mental illness and/or substance use disorders.