Our Team
The Social Security disability system involves a lot of paperwork and thousands of rules, regulations and procedures. You can be denied benefits if forms are not completed correctly, your doctor doesn’t know the legal definition of disability or a Social Security employee fails to obtain medical evidence on your behalf. You may also lose your case if an appeal is handled improperly.
Whether you live in Roanoke, Johnson City, Kingsport, Norton, Wise or other towns in Southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee, here is what we can do for you:
- Assist you with the paperwork that you must complete during the initial application and appeal process
- Walk with you through the initial application and appeal process
- Review your claim file through direct access to the Social Security database
- Analyze and develop your Social Security claim file
- Prepare your disability case and determine the best strategy for success
- Request and submit evidence from your doctors and medical providers
- Make legal arguments, prepare you for your testimony and submit written briefs
- Question you and your witnesses
- Cross-examine medical and vocational experts and respond to interrogatory questions sent to experts before and after your disability hearing
Meet the Team
Jim Joyce
As a teenager growing up in South Carolina, Jim saw suffering. Jim decided then he would go to law school and dedicate himself to helping people through the difficulties of life. His first client as a lawyer sustained serious injury in an accident at work. Jim was able to get him the benefits he deserved. He continues to be Jim’s client forty years later.
For over twenty years, Jim was a partner in a large firm. Even while serving as head of the litigation practice and a member of the management committee, Jim knew he could do more to help people. Starting his own firm allowed Jim to concentrate on helping people with a variety of legal issues. Jim handles Social Security disability and long-term disability claims, construction issues, and helps people set up, buy, and sell businesses.
Today Jim enjoys using his forty years of experience to help people unable to work get the benefits they deserve, help small businesses create opportunities for people, and help with the wide range of legal issues facing contractors and construction companies. Jim’s life experiences allow him to understand his clients and fight for their needs.
Jim is married and has four children and eight grandchildren. He enjoys living in the country where he can mow grass with his Kubota and hike up the ridge into the mountains with his family.
David Bary
David witnessed the difficult and lengthy process his father endured to receive the disability and health benefits he deserved. It was this profound personal experience that instilled in him the desire to help the injured and unable to work. David was born and raised in the coalfields of West Virginia. The son of an educator, David understands the importance of working with individuals from all walks of life. David was a young adult when his father was forced to stop teaching due to a rare and debilitating neurological disorder.
David received a bachelor’s degree from Emory & Henry College where he graduated cum laude. After graduating college, David worked several years as an SSA disability paralegal in SWVA before graduating magna cum laude with a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Appalachian School of Law. While in law school, David served as President of the Student Bar Council, received twelve academic achievements (book) awards, West’s Outstanding Achievement Award, ASL Student of the Year and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Advocacy Award.
Upon graduation, David followed his calling to practice Social Security Disability law. David has zealously represented SSA disability clients for over eighteen years and is well respected by his colleagues. He has represented thousands of clients throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee and is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Representatives. David has taught continuing legal education classes in handling Social Security Disability cases. He is licensed in both Virginia and West Virginia.
David is married and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. For the past twelve years, David has coached and administered the Thunder Gold Sports fast-pitch softball program.
Amber Wilson Barton Senior Social Security Disability Case Manager
Amber works with our SSD and long-term disability clients to develop their case files. Her kind and compassionate nature automatically puts clients at ease as she provides a listening ear and guidance through the complicated disability process.
Amber’s responsibilities include completing intakes, requesting and following up on medical records and forms, administrative duties, and working with her co-workers to keep the practice running smoothly.
Amber’s favorite thing about her work is being there to help and support others at what is often the lowest point in their lives. Before working at Joyce & Bary Law, Amber spent 10 years helping families deal with the death of a loved one and navigate the eye donation process.
Amber is married with a son and a daughter. Outside work, Amber enjoys being a mother to her precious children, attending church, spending time with family and friends, shopping, traveling, thrifting, and being a mom to her Frenchies!
Terry NewmanSocial Security Disability Case Manager and Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
Terry has a master’s degree in psychology and a certificate of advanced graduate studies. She has over 30 years of experience helping people with disabilities during her work in the fields of vocational rehabilitation and special education. As a case manager, Terry helps our clients with the challenging task of completing multiple forms required by the Social Security Administration. Her background in vocational rehabilitation and special education have uniquely positioned her to effectively communicate employment issues faced by our clients to Social Security decision makers.
Terry is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren. When she is not helping people with disability claims, she enjoys living on a small farm with her husband, where her activities include gardening and preserving fresh produce. She also enjoys family gatherings, playing with her grandchildren, and feeding and watching hummingbirds.
Linda Joyce
Linda has worked in various areas of people service since a teenager. Recently she spent 10 years working for a manufacturer of military equipment as the government security clearance officer. Linda helped people through the difficult and deeply personal process of obtaining and maintaining security clearances. Linda also owned her own small business providing claims services for Social Security applications. She knows first-hand how to help people through the Social Security and Long-term disability maze.
Linda earned a business management degree from Mary Baldwin University. She is married with four children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys living in the country with her husband and two cats, hiking, biking and spending time with her grandchildren.
Vickie SchroderParalegal
Vickie assists with hearing preparation, contacts clients to review medical treatment and request those records, and follows up with clients and others on items required for hearings. Outside hearing preparation, Vickie completes client intakes, checks claim status with the state Disability Determination Services office, and follows up with Social Security on the status of clients’ past benefits. She has worked in the Social Security Disability field since 2004 and loves being able to help people through her work.
In Vickie’s spare time, she loves to cook, garden, sew, quilt and crochet. She also enjoys playing with her two cats, Mickey and Minnie, and her yellow lab, Freedom.
Richie EvansSocial Security Disability Specialist
As an SSD Specialist, Richie assists clients with filing their initial applications. This process consists of one-on one-meetings as well as phone appointments to ensure that all information is submitted correctly and in a timely manner. In his spare time, Richie enjoys spending time in the outdoors hunting and fishing. He is also a competitive swimmer.
Taylor RobertsLegal Assistant
Taylor works with clients to complete intakes, file applications, appeals, work history reports and function reports. She is often the first person clients speak to when they start their claims. She enjoys building relationships with clients throughout the disability process.
Taylor spends time outside work with family, friends, and her dog, Jackson. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking and sight-seeing along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and playing tennis.
Leslie TyoLegal Clerk/Intake Specialist
Leslie works with clients to complete their initial intakes, follows up with them to finish required forms, and answers their questions about the paperwork they receive from the firm, Social Security or DDS. She also works on behalf of clients to secure their medical records for hearings and acts as a liaison between clients and the government agencies handling their claims.
Leslie’s favorite thing about her work is being in the position to help people in need get the benefits they deserve.
Leslie is a 2018 graduate of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Roanoke Valley program. She has also done volunteer work with Junior Achievement and chamber events. Outside work, Leslie enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time with her family, and horseback riding.