Attorney Janet L. Bensman is a solo practitioner who has practiced law for 24 years.  She earned her law degree from Capital University Law School and her bachelor’s of science degree in Social Work from the Ohio State University.   She is admitted to the New York State Bar and the United States District Court, Western District of New York.

Ms. Bensman’s practice has concentrated on social security issues for the last 20 years.  She has advocated on behalf of her clients concerning issues ranging at the initial application stage of social security disability and supplemental security income cases through appeal to federal district court. 

In addition to her social security case practice, Ms. Bensman represents children in NYS Family and Supreme Courts.  She also represents adults with diminished capacity in NYS Surrogate’s Court. 

Previously, a staff attorney with Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. in Buffalo, New York.  Ms. Bensman focused on the areas of disability law and the rights of the disabled pursuant to a grant from the NYS Commission of Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.  She concentrated her practice in special education, assistive technology, social security and supplemental security income eligibility, post entitlement and work incentive issues, services for developmentally disabled individuals and those dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and mental illness, and family law issues pertaining to the disabled.  Ms. Bensman provided advocacy through negotiation, technical assistance, training and litigation.  As a former assistant county attorney for Wyoming County, she represented the Department of Social Services on issues concerning child abuse and neglect, child support, paternity, permanent neglect and public assistance. 

Ms. Bensman is an experienced litigator in both administrative and court proceedings practicing before the social security administration and federal district court and New York State Family, Supreme, and Surrogate Courts.  

Ms. Bensman is a current member and a past chair of the Erie County Bar Association Committee for the Disabled, Western New York Disability Law Coalition, and the Western New York Chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WABASNY) Judiciary Committee.  She also participated on the Board of Trustees of the Parent Network of Western New York as a board member.