After nearly 50 years, Gil Laden has decided that he will be retiring in late 2026. He is grateful to have had a gratifying career as a board-certified attorney, specializing in Social Security Disability Law as recognized by the Alabama State Bar. He has helped thousands of disabled individuals during his career. In the summer of 1975, while working as a law student at Georgia Legal Services, Gil actually handled his first Social Security disability hearing.
He was selected to the 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers list, an honor limited to no more than 5% of the attorneys in the Mid-South Region. He has been rated by Martindale-Hubbell with its highest rating: AV® Preeminent™ 5.0/5.0 Peer Rating. He has spoken at numerous seminars on the national and local levels in the area of Social Security Disability Law. Gil is also an emeritus member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).
He chaired the Disabilities Law Section of the Alabama State Bar and was the first chair of the Social Security Section of the Mobile Bar Association. He chaired the Social Security Section once again from 2019-2020.
Gil is a leader in his community. He has served as president of numerous boards: the South Alabama Foundation for the Intellectually Disabled (SAFID), the Springhill Avenue Temple (first stint, 1993-1995; second time, 2020-2022), Mobile Arc, the Dumas Wesley Community Center, the Mobile Preschool for the Sensory Impaired, and the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program. He has served and is still serving on other boards and organizations.
He has received numerous awards including:
Ben Kilborn Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, Mobile Bar Association (2006 & 2023)
Mobile Arc President’s Award (2012)
G. Marie Daniels Leadership Award, Mobile Bar Association (2007)
Albert Vreeland Pro Bono Award, Alabama State Bar (2007)
Service to Mankind Award, Azalea City Sertoma Club (1990)
J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award / Certificate of Appreciation (1990)
M.O. Beale Scroll of Merit (1989)