Social Security Disability Law: Comprehensive strategies from filing to federal court, including ethical challenges
On-Demand: October 16, 2024
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Tuition: $295.00
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Program Summary
Session I – Understanding the Latest Rules and Procedures – Sarah Eyberg
In this session, you'll get up to speed on the most recent changes in Social Security Disability rules and regulations. We'll explore how these updates impact your practice, from client intake to evidence, and learn about the five key steps in evaluating a claim and how to apply new guidelines effectively. This session is essential for ensuring your practices align with current standards, helping you stay ahead in a challenging and ever-changing landscape.
Key topics
- What’s new in social security disability rules and regulations
- Taking on new clients and handling evidence
- Updates on vocational rules and disability listings
Session II – Managing Cases from Application through Reconsideration – Sarah Eyberg
This session focuses on practical strategies for managing your clients' cases from start to finish. You'll learn how to create an effective application checklist, prepare clients for their disability reviews, and address common issues such as substance abuse and fluctuating health conditions.We’ll also cover the crucial elements of daily living questionnaires to ensure your clients present the strongest case possible.
Key topics
- What to include in your application checklist
- Filling out daily living questionnaires
- Prepping clients for consultative exams
- Dealing with issues like substance abuse and changing health conditions
Session III – Preparing for Hearings and Winning Strategies – Lisa Cunningham
This portion of the presentation will take attendees through common types of Social Security Disability cases at the hearing level. The section will provide tips on how to evaluate and strengthen cases for the hearing level. Attendees can expect to learn a variety of strategies on how to build and present a successful case for the hearing level.
Key topics
- Tips for building and managing cases through the hearing level
- Tips for preparing clients to testify at their hearings
- Tips for navigating the hearing
Session IV – Advanced Analysis and Using Vocational Guidelines – Meredith Marcus
This session delves into the more complex aspects of handling Social Security Disability claims. You will learn the basics of vocational guidelines, the new requirements for transferability of skills as of 2024, and the different types of job data and sources to expect from a vocational expert. Most importantly, at the end, you will be provided with different strategies for how to cross-examine vocational experts on testimony as to the source and methods of job information.
Key topics
- Learning about the vocational guidelines
- Addressing issues like job skills transfer
- Addressing the types of job data sources and how to effectively cross examine those sources
- Additional hearing strategies
Session V – Appealing Decisions and Going to Federal Court – Meredith Marcus
This session will cover whether to take a case to the Appeals Council or file a new application. We will discuss how to write compelling briefs for the Appeals Council and which types of arguments win at the Appeals Council. You will also learn the basics of the federal court process including how to file a complaint, the timeline for the federal court process, how to navigate the federal court process and what types of arguments win at the Federal Courts.
Key topics
- Best practices for appealing a denial
- Writing effective appeals council memos and winning arguments
- Understanding the role of social security’s appeals office
- How to file in federal court and the federal court process
Session VI - Ethics and Getting Paid – Lisa Cunningham
This portion of the presentation will take attendees through the highlights of avoiding ethical pitfalls and managing cases in the post entitlement phase. This first part of this section will provide insights on how to address common ethical issues faced by Social Security Disability attorneys. The second section will review common issues facing Social Security Disability attorneys in the post entitlement phase.
Key topics
- Ethical requirements to your client and the administration
- Tips for avoiding delays with fees
- Tips for increasing your approved fees
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Sarah Soucie Eyberg | Soucie Eyberg Law, LLC
Sarah Soucie Eyberg is the principal attorney of Soucie Eyberg Law, LLC, practicing exclusively in the area of Social Security Disability law. Her dedication to professional excellence, development and service knows practically no bounds (just ask her husband). She is a member of several local and statewide legal organizations and serves in leadership roles in nearly every organization.
Sarah is a runner, knitter, deer hunter, mother, wife and attorney living just outside the Twin Cities with her husband (Jason), four children (Esme, Mina, Roland, and Walter), cat and chickens. When she is not working, she can be found at home with her family, trying new recipes or passing on her love of reading to her kids. She is also passing all her nerdy fandoms on to her kids, including Doctor Who, the Marvel universe, all things Halloween and more.
https://www.facebook.com/mndisabilitylaw/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-soucie-eyberg-1014a642/
https://www.instagram.com/mndisabilitylawyer/
Meredith Marcus | Osterhout Berger Daley, LLC
Meredith E. Marcus is a partner with Osterhout Berger Daley LLC. She focuses her practice on Social Security disability law and federal and appeal court appeals in Social Security claims, RRB disability claims, VA claims and special education law. Ms. Marcus received her J.D. degree from University of Illinois Chicago, graduating cum laude. She is recognized as a Super Lawyer and Leading Lawyer. Ms. Marcus is the editor of Social Security Disability Practice by James Publishing. She is a board member of NOSSCR. She is the prior chair for the Chicago Bar Association Social Security Committee and the prior director at large for the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR). Ms. Marcus is admitted to practice in Illinois and Michigan. She is a member of COPPA, NADR and NOSSCR, and has lectured for NADR, NOSSCR, the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association, and National Business Institute.
Lisa Cunningham | Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, P.C.
Lisa Cunningham, Esq. is an experienced client advocate who focuses her practice on Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability Benefits. As a managing attorney at the Law Offices of Eric Shore, Lisa oversees a team with over 40 years of combined Disability practice experience. Lisa helps the Law Offices of Eric Shore to stand apart from other Disability firms by representing her disability clients at the initial stages of the Disability process through the various appeals stages. Lisa serves her clients both inside and outside the courtroom. Lisa has lectured on various Disability, ethics, and professional development topics before the public and other attorneys.
Lisa earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore, where she served as a Moot Court team member and received the Dean’s Citation Award for Outstanding Achievement. Lisa also received first place in the National Law Review student writing competition. She is licensed to practice law in New York State.
Agenda
Session I – Understanding the Latest Rules and Procedures | 9:00am – 10:00am
- What’s new in social security disability rules and regulations
- Taking on new clients and handling evidence
- Updates on vocational rules and disability listings
Break | 10:00am – 10:10am
Session II – Managing Cases from Application through Reconsideration | 10:10am – 11:10am
- What to include in your application checklist
- Filling out daily living questionnaires
- Prepping clients for consultative exams
- Dealing with issues like substance abuse and changing health conditions
Break | 11:10am – 11:20am
Session III – Preparing for Hearings and Winning Strategies Break | 11:20am – 12:20pm
- Tips for building and managing cases through the hearing level
- Tips for preparing clients to testify at their hearing
- Tips for navigating the hearing
Break | 12:20pm – 12:30pm
Session IV – Advanced Analysis and Using Vocational Guidelines | 12:30pm – 1:30pm
- Learning about the vocational guidelines
- Addressing issues like job skills transfer
- Addressing the types of job data sources and how to effectively cross examine those sources
- Additional hearing strategies
Break | 1:30pm – 1:40pm
Session V – Appealing Decisions and Going to Federal Court | 1:40pm – 2:40pm
- Best practices for appealing a denial
- Writing effective appeals council memos and winning arguments
- Understanding the role of social security’s appeals office
- How to file in federal court and the federal court process
Break | 2:40pm – 2:50pm
Session VI – Ethics and Getting Paid | 2:50pm – 3:50pm
- Ethical requirements to your client and the administration
- Tips for avoiding delays with fees
- Tips for increasing your approved fees
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