Cross-Examining the Medical Expert – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track I (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Jacob Hugentobler
Jacob Hugentobler | Packard Law Firm

Jacob Hugentobler is a fifth-year Hearing attorney at the Packard Law Firm in San Antonio, Texas.

Live Video-Broadcast: October 16, 2026

1 hour CLE

Tuition: $395.00
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Program Summary

 

The RFC You Got Isn't the RFC You Have to Keep

The medical expert's RFC can sink a case — but an unhelpful RFC is a starting point, not a verdict. Jacob's practical advice is aimed at exactly this: flipping an unhelpful RFC into a potentially disabling one, through cross-examination that is built before the hearing ever starts.

The key is preparation, in three parts. Prepare the file, so the cross has its foundation. Research your witness, so you know who you are questioning. Practice leading questions, so the examination goes where you send it. Walk in without the three, and the RFC stands as written.

The session also covers the reports that arrive unhelpful before the hearing: what you can do with an unhelpful IMCE or Psyche CE report. You walk out with a practical method for the medical-expert cross — file, witness, questions — and a plan for the bad report.

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 Friday, October 16, 2026.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Flipping the RFC
    Turning an unhelpful RFC into a potentially disabling one through cross-examination.
  • Preparing the File
    Building the foundation for the medical-expert cross before the hearing.
  • Researching Your Witness
    Knowing the medical expert you will be questioning.
  • Practicing Leading Questions
    Rehearsing the leading questions that steer the examination.
  • The Unhelpful IMCE
    What you can do when the IMCE report comes back unhelpful.
  • The Unhelpful Psyche CE
    Options for responding to an unhelpful Psyche CE report.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Date / Time: October 16, 2026

  • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
  • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Central
  • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Mountain
  • 10:00 am – 11:00 am Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Jacob Hugentobler, Hearing Attorney | Packard Law Firm

Jacob Hugentobler is a fifth-year Hearing attorney at the Packard Law Firm in San Antonio, Texas.

  • Education & Credentials

He earned his B.A. from Trinity University in 2013 and his J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law in 2019, where he received the Excellence in Professionalism and Leadership honor. Licensed in Texas since October 2019, he is admitted to all four U.S. District Courts in the state.

  • Recognition & Leadership

He was recognized for conducting his thousandth Social Security Administration hearing in 2025 and has been included in Marquis Who’s Who.

  • Professional Involvement

He is a member of the San Antonio Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, NOSSCR, and Advocates, Counselors & Representatives for the Disabled, and volunteers as an attorney with Morgan’s MultiAssistance Center.

  • Experience

He has tried over 1,500 cases and prevailed in 65% of them. Jacob has also secured remands for cases in the Western District of Texas–the first in his firm’s history. In the last three years, Jacob has impeached over 100 vocational witnesses using lessons learned from previous NOSSCR speakers and George Piemont’s monthly article, “Piemont’s Perspective.”

Agenda

SESSION 1 – Cross-Examining the Medical Expert | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Jacob’s practical advice will help flip an unhelpful RFC into a potentially disabling one. The key is to prepare the file, research your witness, and practice leading questions. Also included are what you can do with an unhelpful IMCE or Psyche CE report.

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

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

Approved for CLE Credits
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 Hours

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

Approved for CLE Credits
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

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
1 General

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

Approved for CLE Credits
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

Approved for CLE Credits
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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