Born and raised in South Carolina, J. Robert Surface is the local attorney you should trust with your disability case. Years of education and experience in legal institutions throughout the state have given Mr. Surface the expertise needed to serve you well. 

The son of a retired U.S. Navy Chief, Mr. Surface was born in Puerto Rico while his father was stationed there but spent most of his childhood and college years in Charleston County. The Surfaces also lived at Camp Lejeune for a period of time. Raised as part of a devout, hard-working Christian family, Mr. Surface gained a strong work ethic from this strict yet loving environment. He used it to succeed in his academic pursuits, graduating from St. John’s School in 1966, Rivers High School in 1969, College of Charleston as valedictorian in 1973 and the University of South Carolina Law School in 1978. He also completed graduate work at Clemson University. 

After this, Mr. Surface worked as an Assistant City Attorney for the newly formed City of North Charleston, providing legal opinions on questions related to annexation and prosecuting criminal cases. He moved on to become an attorney for the federal government, working within the branch of Social Security that deals with disability hearings and appeals (ODAR). In 2007, Mr. Surface started his own practice and began representing clients before the Social Security Administration, working to secure the disability benefits his clients deserve. Overall, Mr. Surface has spent 43 years working with Social Security and its many complexities. In 2009, he was certified by the Department of Veterans to appear before VA Regional Offices, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, D.C., on behalf of veterans with disability claims. 

Mr. Surface is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of South Carolina. He is in good standing with the South Carolina Bar Association and the Supreme Court. With two local offices, Mr. Surface stays active in the Upstate community. He lives in Due West, SC, and attends historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville. When he’s not at work, Mr. Surface spends time on his farm with his four border collies, Freckles, Caber, Stockbroker and Cooper. He enjoys sheep herding trials, landscape design, writing, reading and attending auctions. He’s also a Master Gardener and loves spending time outside, whether he’s tending to the garden, hiking or kayaking. 

Have any questions about Mr. Surface, your case or any other part of our practice? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are available 24/7 at (864) 235-0886, or you can contact us online. We strive to provide a welcoming, comfortable environment for clients of all ages and their loved ones, which is why our office here in Honea Path is located inside a residential home, not an office building. We’re here to help, so don’t wait — contact us today.