Top 10 Tips for Success: Lessons Learned Over 40 Years of Social Security Law Practice – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Ann J. Atkinson
Ann J. Atkinson | Ann J. Atkinson, Attorney at Law

Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., has represented claimants in Social Security disability claims since 1986, and is currently a solo practitioner in Parker, Colorado.

Live Video-Broadcast: October 15, 2026

1 hour CLE

Tuition: $395.00
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Program Summary

 

Forty Years of Practice. The Tips That Outlast the Technology

Technology and administrative rules have changed dramatically since 1986. But four decades in Social Security law teach something else: there are basic strategies that remain timeless — and they will remain relevant in the years ahead, regardless of advances in technology and the whims of the agency.

The tips run the full width of a practice. Growing the practice and maintaining client relations keep the work coming. Staying out of trouble protects the license; making "good trouble" is what the license is for. Winning cases is the point — and the elusive work-life balance is what makes a forty-year career possible at all.

You walk out with the top ten: lessons learned over 40 years of Social Security law practice, passed on directly — the timeless strategies, sorted from the ones the years made obsolete.

Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour

This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.

Recorded Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Growing Your Practice
    Building the practice with strategies that have held up over forty years.
  • Maintaining Client Relations
    Keeping clients well-served and the relationships strong.
  • Staying Out of Trouble
    Protecting yourself and your license across a long career.
  • Making "Good Trouble"
    When and how to push — the trouble worth making.
  • Winning Cases
    The timeless strategies that win, regardless of the agency's whims.
  • Work-Life Balance
    Holding onto the elusive balance that sustains a forty-year practice.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Date / Time: October 15, 2026

  • 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Eastern
  • 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Central
  • 10:15 am – 11:15 am Mountain
  • 9:15 am – 10:15 am Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., Solo Practitioner | Ann J. Atkinson, Attorney at Law

Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., has represented claimants in Social Security disability claims since 1986, and is currently a solo practitioner in Parker, Colorado.

  • Education & Credentials

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech (Communication) from Northwestern University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver College of Law.

  • Recognition & Leadership

She was selected as one of Denver’s Top Lawyers by 5280 Magazine for 2015, 2016, and 2017.

  • Professional Involvement

She is a past representative from the Tenth Circuit on NOSSCR’s Board of Directors, and also served on the Board of Directors for NOSSCR PAC.

Agenda

SESSION 1 – Top 10 Tips for Success: Lessons Learned Over 40 years of Social Security Law Practice | 12:15pm – 1:15pm

Technology and administrative rules have changed dramatically since 1986 when I started practicing but there are basic strategies that remain timeless. In this session I will pass on tips including how to grow your practice, maintain client relations, stay out of trouble, make “good trouble,” win cases, and maintain that elusive work-life balance, all of which will remain relevant in the years ahead regardless of advances in technology and the whims of the agency.

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Florida

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Georgia

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Illinois

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Indiana

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
1 Substantive

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
1.2 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
60 General minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Nevada

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
1 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
1 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
1 Law & Legal Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washington via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
1.2 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
1 General

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