The Government Accounting Office releases study on Nonattorney representation
A Quote from summary of report "Nonattorneys who have successfully applied for fee withholding eligibility had more experience representing claimants than attorneys or ineligible nonattorneys. From our surveys, we estimate that eligible nonattorneys had represented on average over 240 disability claimants over 2 years, while other representatives had represented on average fewer than 90. Eligible nonattorneys were also most likely to specialize in disability representation. Judges and claimants considered the performance of eligible nonattorneys to be generally on a par with that of attorneys, but judges rated ineligible nonattorneys less highly. Judges we surveyed rated eligible nonattorneys as about equal to attorneys overall, and many said a law degree is not necessary for effective disability representation. Claimants we interviewed were generally satisfied with their representatives, regardless of type"..GAO Summary link
