2021 Life, Health, and Disability Lawyers Virtual Boot Camp Agenda

DRI Life, Health, and Disability Lawyers Virtual Boot Camp

*Schedule and Speakers subject to change

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Friday, November 5, 2021

Time (Central) Program
7:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Committee Chair
Scott M. Trager, Funk & Bolton, Baltimore, MD
8:00 a.m. Life Insurance Policy Basics

Discussion of life insurance coverage, insurable interest, STOLI and accidental death coverage.

Elizabeth G. Doolin, Chittenden, Murday & Novotny LLC, Chicago, IL
Julie F. Wall, Chittendon, Murday & Novotny LLC, Chicago, IL
8:45 a.m. Break
8:55 a.m. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Basics

Discussion of group accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy clauses, bases for claims, and defenses.

Gary Schuman, Life & Health Insurance Claims Consultant, Chicago, IL
E. Ford Stephens, Christian & Barton, LLP, Richmond, VA
9:40 a.m. Break
9:50 a.m. Disability Insurance Basics

Learn the differences between group and individual disability insurance policy clauses, defenses, and bad faith.

Scott M. Trager, Funk & Bolton, Baltimore, MD
Michelle Czapski, Bodman, LLP, Detroit, MI
10:35 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. Analyzing the Claim File and Preparing for Litigation

Practical tips for the ERISA life, health, and disability defense lawyer.

Byrne J. Decker, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC, Portland, ME
Joshua Bachrach, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, Philadelphia, PA
11:45 a.m. Lunch Break
12:15 p.m. Rescission of Life, Health, and Disability Coverage

Discussion of complex life insurance actions to rescind coverage and resolve conflicting claims for benefits.

D. Larry Kristinik, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, Columbia, SC
Patrick W. Begos, Robinson & Cole, LLP, Stamford, CT
1:00 p.m. Break
1:05 p.m. ERISA Litigation Primer

Discussion of the substantive and procedural legal issues that apply in ERISA-governed life, health, and disability litigation.

Mark E. Schmidtke, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC, Valparaiso, IN
2:50 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Nuts and Bolts of Medical Insurance Plans and Self-Funded Health Plans

Discussion of the basic terms and coverage issues that arise in medical and health plan disputes.

Bryan D. Bolton, Funk & Bolton, Baltimore, MD
Eric B. Myers, ELCO Mutual Life & Annuity, Chicago, IL 
4:15 p.m. Adjourn