SJM_Profile_Bross - Frankel_1222_profile 12 / 22 / 22 11 : 29 AM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T gating injured and disabled clients through government , veterans or private - insurance benefits or being the litigators representing them in court : It’s also working to legitimize invisible illnesses , the debilitating nature of which can undermine an individual’s SmallBut Mighty employability just as much as a visible injuries do . Being a boutique law firm has helped Bross & Frankel cultivate “ Ithink there is a general misconception about people who are disabled and that fil - strong bonds with clients , while its attorneys bring a ters down into disability benefits , ” ventures larger practice’s experience and unique qualifications to Frankel , adding that the judges influencing every case they take on . by MADELEINE MACCAR thosedecisions really only have minutes to assess a client’s situation and aren’t always foundly empathetic to his using the best metrics , like assuming clients ’ challenges , their someone with progressive multiple scle - needs and how he can pro - rosisor bipolar disorder can continue to work vide stability amid daunting justbecause they struggled through a job for uncertainty . years before their illness became too severe “ Disability can happen tocontinue . to any one of us , ” he notes . Thefirm boasts some hard - to - find qual - “ Our clients are not having ifications , too . Both Frankel and Jennifer their best day : They’re out of Stonage are licensed before the Court of work , they don’t know where Appealsfor Veterans Claims , letting the firm their next meal is coming fightfor veterans at the highest level . Certi - from and if they’re disabled , fiedcivil trial attorney Elizabeth Berenato has they can’t get unemploy - 30 years of experience litigating cases and ment . It’s a desperate , being a disability advocate . That certification stressful time . ” encourages “ attorneys to send cases to Bross & Frankel han - expertsor specialists in that particular area . ” dles a range of clients , from “ If you get a case and it’s out of your veterans fighting for their wheelhouse , the only time you can refer it to benefits to those seeking somebodyand pay a referral fee is if it’s to a long - term disability , from certified civil trial attorney , ” Frankel says . individuals injured on the “ Taking the extra step to get that level of job to people immobilized by chronic invis - expertisesays , ‘ I’m a specialist here and I’ve lthough Rich Frankel is a partner at ible illnesses . Despite handling all kinds of gone through the certification process to disability benefits law firm Bross & cases throughout South Jersey and Philadel - prove it . ’ ” AFrankel , it’s music that runs in his phia , the firm has remained on the smaller Berenato , Frankel and Stonage have all family . His father was a professional trumpet side to facilitate a truly personalized client been nominated for South Jersey Maga - player and band leader , while Frankel him - experience . zine’s Awesome Attorneys list , an honor self studied music as an undergraduate . “ We don’t have a menu prompt when that reflects how hard - working the Bross & But throat cancer’s career - ending tra - you call : Our receptionist picks up so you’re Frankel team is — not that Frankel didn’t cheotomymeant the family patriarch had to talking to a person right away , ” says Frankel . alreadyhave ample proof of seekemployment in a series of jobs that were his associates ’ “ Our office lines have texting built into never the calling music was . Frankel vividly dedication . them so I can give my direct extension to a remembersthe ensuing turmoil : It is , after all , “ Individually , they each have their exper - client if it’s easier for them to text me . ” what nudged him toward a career as a dis - tiseand have built relationships with clients Inviting a close professional relationship abilityattorney . and other attorneys , which was indepen - not only helps the Bross & Frankel team get “ Mydad had to reinvent himself … but he dentlyverified by people writing their names to know never really found his footing , while my their clients ’ needs and circum - down for Awesome Attorneys — because we mom went back to school to get her master’s , ” stances but also establishes client trust in worked to pull through the pandemic as a he recalls . “ I saw that struggle of living pay - their legal counsel . team , and we’ve aligned in our shared per - check to paycheck . As a musician and a “ Theyget to know the paralegal and their sonalexperiences each seeing someone we small business owner , my dad’s Social Secu - attorney , and they form a bond over the two lovebattle to survive . That lived experience rity became an important but modest lifeline , years we’re working on their case , ” Frankel bringsus together in leading the way for our n especiallyafter he passed . ” explains . “ They know they can call or text to clients , ” he says . That was the first time Frankel witnessed seewhat’s going on , what does the docket look up close how illness robs an individual of their like , how much longer do they have to wait … ability to secure a living . The second was in Jan - andI can tell them what to expect so they can Bross & Frankel , P.A . uary 2020 , when the Cherry Hill attorney plan , get general assistance if they need to , lean 725 Kenilworth Ave . , Suite 2 | Cherry Hill foundhimself recovering from an emergency onfamily and know the end is in sight . ” ( 856 ) 795 - 8880 | BrossFrankel.com surgery and unable to do his own job for Specializingin disability benefits and per - months . Both instances left Frankel pro - sonal injury issues doesn’t stop at navi - SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 19 issue 9 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 38 |