Attorney Lisa M. Watkinson is a partner at Bernstein & Bernstein. She joined the firm in 2003, and has concentrated her practice in the areas of Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and workers’ compensation since that time. Lisa works with clients at every stage of the process, from application through appeals, to maximize their chances of success.

Lisa comes from a family of attorneys, and she entered the profession both because of the challenges it offered and because she knew that it would give her the ability to help people who needed it most. Lisa explored other practice areas before joining Bernstein & Bernstein, and decided to become a Social Security Disability lawyer working to get people the benefits they needed and deserved. She follows in the footsteps of her father, William W. Watkinson, Sr. who was an attorney and senior partner of this firm for over 50 years, and her brother, William W. Watkinson, Jr., who was an attorney and senior partner for almost 30 years and who subsequently was appointed to a judgeship by Governor Whitmer.

Clients appreciate that Lisa makes herself available to them whenever they need her, so they can stay informed on the progress of their case. Though Lisa handles numerous cases at any given time, she takes pride in giving all of her clients personal attention, and in the meticulous organization that enables her to keep every case on track.

Lisa has been a board member of the Michigan State Bar Social Security Section since 2019 and currently serves as Treasurer. Because of her decades-long exclusive focus on Social Security law, she is sought after as a presenter on Social Security Disability issues, providing insight for other Michigan lawyers in this practice area. Recently, she has been asked to speak at the Michigan Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Seminars in 2024 and 2025.

When not advocating on behalf of her clients or volunteering for legal organizations or in the community, Lisa enjoys reading, traveling, staying active with walking, Pilates, and working out, and being involved in her three children’s various activities.