Once you are denied at the Reconsideration stage, you should hire a Social Security Disability attorney. Your attorney will ask that your case be set for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. At this hearing, you will have to be present and testify regarding your medical problems. However, the trial process is very informal. It is only you, the Judge, a court reporter, your attorney and maybe a vocational specialist in the room. There is no jury, and the hearing is not open to the public.