2023 DRI Life, Health, Disability, and ERISA Seminar

April 26–28, 2023 | New Orleans, Louisiana

Join Us for an Unforgettable Event in the Big Easy!

The nation’s best conference for Life, Health, and Disability practitioners is making its long-awaited appearance in the Big Easy, with best-in-class CLE, enhanced networking opportunities, and new ways to connect with your colleagues in a setting unlike anywhere else. Explore New Orleans with networking events that offer something for everyone and earn CLE from top industry leaders and practitioners. Plus, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicks off on April 28; come for the seminar and stay for a weekend of world class music and celebration. This is the seminar you will not want to miss!

View registration information here.

What You Will Learn:

Skills you can use, including bad faith litigation techniques, avoiding interpleader pitfalls, and making mediation effective;
An in-depth discussion of Supreme Court ERISA jurisprudence;
Cutting-edge data privacy issues including how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting claims;
Litigation challenges involving In-Network and Out-of-Network Providers;
The latest developments in ongoing California policy lapse litigation; and
A thoughtful discussion on Dobbs, EMTALA and ERISA.

Expand Your Network By:

A variety of small group networking events, such as walking tours, a book club, a hands-on service project, morning runs, morning strolls, and morning “we aren’t moving fast but we will grab a beignet” outings. Your options for making lasting connections with your colleagues have never been better!
A Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon open to all attendees with a dynamic judicial speaker.
For the first time at our seminar, a special Thursday night Premier Networking Reception at the Creole Queen.

Panel Counsel Meetings with Major Companies
Take advantage of the opportunity to engage with key industry companies* including:

Corebridge Financial
Guardian Life Insurance Company
New York Life Insurance Company
Primerica
Sun Life
The Hartford
Transamerica

*Subject to change

Printing is supported on Windows, iOS and macOS. To save this page as a PDF, click on the "Print Brochure" button and under printer destination select "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF."
For Android users, some or all browsers do not support printing.

Print Brochure

Share this page:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thank You to DRI's Committee Leadership
Registration & Networking Information
Agenda with Speakers
CLE Information
Sponsors
DRI Cares
On-Demand Programs Included
Other Information

Thank You to DRI's Life, Health, and Disability Committee Leadership

**Kristina N. Holmstrom**
Program Vice Chair

**Jason James**
Program Second Vice Chair

**Michelle Thurber Czapski**
Committee Chair

**Sarah J. Delaney**
Committee Vice Chair

**Kyle N. Kirby**
Corporate Co-Vice Chair

**Z. Logan Gould**
Corporate Co-Vice Chair

Join the Life, Health and Disability Committee

Registration Information

	Member Pricing	Non-Member Pricing
Regular Registration*	$1,395	$1,695
Group Registration (Non-Sponsored)**	$995/person	$995/person
Government	Government members will receive the applicable government rate for the seminar upon login. If the government rate does not appear after logging in, please call DRI directly at (312) 795-1101 to receive the discounted rate. Invoices can be sent after purchase upon request.

*If your membership recently lapsed, please renew your membership prior to registering to ensure you receive your discounted member rate. If you would like to join DRI to receive the member pricing and see the benefits of becoming a member, click here to go to the application page.

**Group registration is for registering four (4) or more attendees, members and non-members. There is one free registration with every 10 registrations. You must lock in the rate three weeks prior to the seminar. If you want to register for the group pricing, please send an email to rstiner@dri.org (online registration is not available for this offering).

Networking Events

Premier Networking Reception | Creole Queen
Sponsored by: Beveridge & Diamond PC, Carlton Fields, Husch Blackwell LLP, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels LLC, King & Spalding, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, Robinson + Cole LLP

Date: Thursday, April 27 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar (Guest tickets $100 each, available at check-out. A limited number of guest tickets may be available on site for $125 each.)
Location: Creole Queen, 1 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA

Join the Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation, Life, Health, and Disability, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law committees for a networking event as we savor a taste of New Orleans aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen! Even though the Creole Queen would have been right at home among the steamboats of 1850's New Orleans, passengers of that era could never have conceived of a paddle-wheeler with her luxury, comfort, and safety.

Please note the boat will stay dockside for continuous boarding and will offer light appetizers and beverages. The entrance to the Creole Queen is at the Poydras Street dock at Spanish Plaza, located behind the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

Agenda with Speakers

Click Here to View the Schedule

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Time (Central)	Program	Location
12:00 p.m.	Registration
2:00 p.m.	Breakout Sessions For more details, click on the "Breakout Sessions (Wednesday)" tab.
5:00 p.m.	In-House/Corporate Counsel Breakout Meeting Take advantage of an intimate networking opportunity with other in-house counsels from across the industry to discuss new products, use of outside counsel, and best practices in the Life, Health & Disability universe.
5:30 p.m.	Jump Start Your Seminar Networking Experience Whether you’re a new member, non-member, seasoned attendee, or in-house counsel, join committee leaders and fellow attendees to learn how to make the most of your networking opportunities and your membership in the LHD Committee.
6:00 p.m.	Networking/Cocktail Hour
7:30 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own). Electronic sign-up. Details for sign-up are circulated to registrants in advance of the seminar. Limited availability.
7:30 p.m.	Women’s Networking Dinner Meet and dine with prominent women professionals in the industry at this popular event, offered by the Life, Health, and Disability Committee. Electronic sign-up. Details for sign-up are circulated to registrants in advance of the seminar. Limited availability.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Time (Central)	Program	Location
8:00 a.m.	Registration and Coffee Service
	DRI For Life Run, Walk or Eat Are you an early riser? Want to enjoy some fresh air and networking, too? Gather in the hotel lobby for an energizing run/walk around town, or a visit to the world-famous Café Du Monde for beignets and café au lait and get a head start on building your Seminar networking contacts.
8:30 a.m.	Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Join your colleagues for coffee and conversation and get caffeinated for “Full Throttle Thursday” at our full day of Seminar events.
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Pamela W. Carter, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., New Orleans, LA Elizabeth G. Doolin, Chittenden Murday & Novotny LLC, Chicago, IL
9:15 a.m.	Infallible(ish) Because We Are Final(ish): Supreme Court ERISA Jurisprudence A deep dive into the reasoning and evolution of the Supreme Court’s ERISA jurisprudence. Kristina N. Holmstrom, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., Phoenix, AZ
10:15 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.	Health Insurance Update: A Broad Review of Regulatory and Litigation Developments, With an Extended Discussion of Abortion-Related Issues An in-depth examination of cutting-edge issues in health law, including a discussion of the elephant in the room. James Lewis Griffith, Jr., Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP, Philadelphia, PA
11:30 a.m.	Don’t Get Trapped: Hidden Pitfalls in Interpleaders Seasoned advice from an expert practitioner on how to avoid getting in trouble when getting out of a dispute. Heather Austin, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, Philadelphia, PA
12:30 p.m.	Diversity and Inclusion Lunch This is a can’t miss event! Join us as we welcome the Honorable Nannette Jolivette Brown, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Brown will discuss changes made at all levels of the courthouse to ensure that the public enters the doors to a welcoming and inclusive environment. All are welcome! So, grab a colleague (or two) and walk on over for the on-site lunch, networking opportunity and keynote presentation. We look forward to seeing you there!
2:00 p.m.	Schmidtke on ERISA Need we say more? The nation’s foremost expert on ERISA offers an update on the latest developments involving everyone’s favorite reticulated enforcement scheme. Mark E. Schmidtke, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., Valparaiso, IN
3:00 p.m.	Committee Business Meeting The room where it happens. Learn about the numerous opportunities to get involved in DRI’s best substantive law committee. Our committee leaders will outline upcoming events and initiatives, including the 2024 Seminar and how you can help plan it. Want to speak, write, or guide the LHD Committee into the future? Don’t wait for it or ask what you missed – come to our meeting, because our committee is non-stop!
3:30 p.m.	Small Group Networking Opportunities Sign up for various options and start building your connections and developing relationships! Details to come, but sure to include some of the following: 1. DRI Cares (Click here for more details) 2. Local Small Group Outings (click on "Small Networking Opportunities" tab for listings)
6:00 p.m.	Premier Networking Reception \| Creole Queen Sponsored by: Beveridge & Diamond PC, Carlton Fields, Husch Blackwell LLP, Irwin Fritchie Urquhart Moore & Daniels LLC, King & Spalding, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, Robinson + Cole LLP Click here for details.
8:00 p.m.	Dine-Arounds Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own). Electronic sign-up. Details for sign-up are circulated to registrants in advance of the seminar. Limited availability.
9:30 p.m.	Young Lawyers’ Post-Celebration Cocktail Event Everyone is welcome at this popular networking event, hosted by our Young Lawyers Subcommittee. Come out and meet the future of the Life, Health, and Disability Committee. Last year’s outing featured a giant Dolly Parton head made of pink mesh. Who knows what this year may bring? More details on-site.

Friday, April 28, 2023

Time (Central)	Program	Location
8:00 a.m.	Registration and Coffee Service
	DRI For Life Run, Walk or Eat Pick your poison - Run, walk, or more beignets. Or run with beignets and see who has the most powdered sugar on their running clothes at the end (dark clothing discouraged).
	Small Group Networking Opportunities Sign up for various options and start building your connections and developing relationships! Details to come, but sure to include some of the following: 1. DRI for Life Book Club
9:00 a.m.	Welcome and Announcements Kristina N. Holmstrom, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., Phoenix, AZ
9:10 a.m.	Disability Insurance Update Recent highlights and trends in the worlds of both Individual and ERISA disability litigation. Leo Lagomasino, Lagomasino Law P.A., Miami, FL
10:10 a.m.	Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.	Life Insurance Update An in-depth discussion of the most recent significant state and federal court decisions relating to life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Jeannine Jacobson, Maynard Nexsen, Miami, FL
11:30 a.m.	Managing Ethical Risks and Avoiding Malpractice in Close Attorney-Client Relationships Lawyers in comfortable, longstanding attorney-client relationships may become complacent and fail to follow good risk management practices. This can lead to errors, ethical traps, misunderstandings, miscommunication, bad outcomes, and/or claims. Learn how to prevent this from happening to you. Brett Preston, Hill Ward Henderson, Tampa, FL
12:30 p.m.	Adjourn

Breakout Sessions (Wednesday 2:00–5:00 p.m.)

ERISA

Time (Central)	Program	Location
2:00 p.m.	Friends with Benefits: Offsets, Subrogation, and Other Income-Related Complications Alexandra C. Markel, Bodman PLC, Detroit, MI
2:50 p.m.	In It for the Long Haul: Covid, Long Covid, and Covid-Adjacent Claims Issues Lisa E. Montelongo-Connor, Unum, Chattanooga, TN Joni Sobocinski, New York Life, Philadelphia, PA Caitlin P. Strauss, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Philadelphia, PA
3:50 p.m.	Break
4:05 p.m.	A Mediator's View on Dispute Resolution - Maximizing the Opportunity for Success Scott Maker, Woodworth Maker LLC, Portland, ME
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Life, Health, and Disability

Time (Central)	Program	Location
2:00 p.m.	You be the Judge: Accidental Death Scenarios Linnsey Amores, Hartford, Hartford, CT Kaitlyn E. Luther, Chittenden, Murday & Novotny LLC, Chicago, IL Latanae L. Parker, Maynard Nexsen, Miami, FL
2:50 p.m.	A Lapse in Judgment? Recent California Jurisprudence Shakes Things Up Gerardo Puig, Transamerica, Baltimore, MD Jarrett Ganer, McDowell Hetherington LLP, Houston, TX
3:50 p.m.	Break
4:05 p.m.	Mad Skills: Key Litigation Techniques for Defending Bad Faith Claims Andrea Snowden, Ameritas, Lincoln, NE William D. Hittler, Nilan Johnson Lewis, Minneapolis, MN Leah Kippola-Friske, Nilan Johnson Lewis, Minneapolis, MN
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Health

Time (Central)	Program	Location
2:00 p.m.	Non-Network Provider Pricing Disputes: Your Vendor or Mine? Shari Gerson, Gray/Robinson PA, Fort Lauderdale, FL
2:50 p.m.	In-Network Challenges: Provider Arbitration and Related Issues Daniel K. Ryan, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Chicago, IL
3:50 p.m.	Break
4:05 p.m.	Data Privacy and AI: A Perspective from In-House Counsel Tim Smith, Unum, Portland, ME Eric Langland, Unum, Portland, ME Kyle Kirby, Unum, Portland, ME
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Small Networking Opportunities

The National World War II Museum Tour

Time/Date: Thursday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Tour Cost: $29.50–$32.50 plus applicable tax per person (depending on size of group)
Registration & Payment Deadline: April 20, 2023 (payment instructions via Zelle to follow once total number of registrants are confirmed)

Join your fellow DRI colleagues and tour the Smithsonian-affiliated National World War II Museum. Located in downtown New Orleans, the Museum offers a compelling blend of immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, an expansive collection of artifacts and thousands of personal accounts of World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad.
The Museum is a hugely popular tourist destination, but closes daily at 5 p.m. It is located in downtown New Orleans, approximately ¾ of a mile from the seminar. We will be meeting at the Museum’s entrance at the intersection of Magazine Street and Andrew Higgins Boulevard at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.
Sign Up for the Museum Tour

Psychic Reading at the Hilton Riverside

Time/Date: Thursday, April 27 at 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Tour Cost: $30 per person

Join DRI for the true New Orleans experience of a genuine psychic reading! “Bottom of the Cup” Psychics will come to the Hilton to do palm and card readings. Everyone will receive their own personal reading, receiving answers to your most burning questions. We are sure that even skeptics will come away convinced.
Sign Up for the Psychic Reading

French Quarter Walking Tour (Sign Up Closed)

Time/Date: Thursday, April 27 at 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Tour Cost: $37–$57 (depending on number of attendees)
Registration & Payment: Fee will be collected after close of sign-ups

Take a walking tour with your DRI colleagues through New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter. Highlights of the tour include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Pontalba Apartments. The tour begins on the courthouse steps at 400 Royal Street and will cover approximately 1.5 miles.

Legends & Spirits Cocktail Tour

Time/Date: Friday, April 28 at 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Tour Cost: $30 per person
Registration & Payment: Payment due at sign-up

Join your fellow DRI colleagues on a “pub crawl” style walking tour with a licensed local tour guide while learning the history of the cocktail as only New Orleanians can tell it. The tour will begin at the Hilton Riverside Hotel and last approximately 2 hours. We will visit 3 of New Orleans’ most unique and interesting watering holes where you’ll have an opportunity to sample the famous drinks that make New Orleans legendary (beverages not included in tour cost).
Sign Up for the Cocktail Tour

CLE Information

Earn up to 9.75 hours of continuing legal education, including one (1) hour of ethics credit from this seminar.

Life, Health, Disability and ERISA CLE by State

DRI Cares

HandsOn New Orleans

HandsOn New Orleans logo

Stop by and help do some good in New Orleans! We are teaming up with HandsOn New Orleans on Thursday, April 27th to put together hygiene kits to benefit New Orleans’ homeless population. Volunteers are needed—so please join us in helping the community while visiting with friends and colleagues. If you would like to support this great cause, please donate to the DRI Foundation using the link or QR code below. The DRI Foundation will donate the funds to HandsOn New Orleans. We appreciate your support!

To donate online:

Click the "Donate" button or scan the QR code below.
If you have an account with DRI, log in. Use the same login that you registered for this seminar.
If you do not have an account with DRI, create a guest account.
Select from one of the gift amounts or set your own amount. The default value is $100.
Select your DRI Committee from "My SLC/Region" dropdown box.
Click “Submit Donation.”
The page will refresh. Click “View Cart” to checkout.
Enter your credit card information and click “Submit Order” once all required information is entered.

Donate

Substantive Law Committee QR Code Foundation Contributions

On-Demand

NEW in 2023 – Four Additional On-Demand Programs Included With Every Seminar!

CLE Credit will be sought from every state requiring CLE hours in elimination of bias/diversity and inclusion, ethics, substance abuse/mental health, and law practice management. The CLE grid will provide updated information concerning hours that have been approved by each jurisdiction and for which credits. For states not requiring these special credits, general education credits will be sought. Access to these on-demand programs will expire 30 days after the seminar ends.

View On-Demand Library

Diversity/Elimination of Bias in the Profession

Invisible or Mixed-Visible Diversity – Combatting Bias

Often diversity programs and initiatives are focused on visible traits such as gender or race, but bias exists related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and some disabilities that are not readily visible to the eye. This panel will discuss how to address these biases and to create an environment where those with invisible or mixed-visible diversity can operate at the highest level.

Stacy Douglas, Everett Dorey LLP, Irvine, CA
Gary Howard, Bradley, Birmingham, AL
Ronna Kinsella, Glassman Wyatt Tuttle & Cox PC, Memphis, TN

Law Practice Management Credit

Succession Planning: Failing to Plan Is a Plan to Fail

Succession planning is considered one of the most pressing issues facing not only law firms but also clients. Senior partners are working into their golden years and can sometimes be reluctant to engage in a succession plan, but clients want to know that there is a plan for the transition of their work without interruption. Join us to learn:

the importance of succession planning for the benefit both the law firm and its clients;
how succession planning impacts retention and continuity of the firm and client relationships;
how to approach the subject with senior attorneys; and
strategies for implementing a successful succession plan.

Marie E. Chafe, Conn Kavanaugh, Boston, MA
Matthew Cairns, Textron Inc., Providence, RI
Elizabeth M. Brotten, Foley & Mansfield PLLP, Minneapolis, MN
Meade Hartfield, Bradley Arant, Birmingham, AL

Ethics

Technology, Ethics & Remote Work: What You Need to Know Now

The Rules of Professional Conduct regarding competence and diligence require all lawyers to keep abreast of changes in technology. This webinar will provide you with tips and information on new issues related to technology and the practice of law, including the challenges of the remote work environment. You will learn the ethics and professionalism considerations when using technology in your practice and your ethical duties when it comes to “keeping abreast of changes” in technology.

Amber Garcia, Deutsch Kerrigan LLP, New Orleans, LA
Alyssa Johnson, Barron & Newberger PC, Milwaukee, WI
Clare Roubion, Louisiana Legal Ethics, LLC, Lafayette, LA

Mental Health & Attorney Wellness

Lessons for Lawyers from the Science of Well-Being

This presentation will focus on the practical steps that we can take as individuals to improve well-being, drawing on recent research from cognitive science and beginning with the preface that happiness can be learned and applied. Specifically, we will provide an evidence-based arsenal of practical tools that lawyers can apply in their own lives to improve their well-being.

Emma Ross, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum, Chicago, IL
Shayna Cook, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum, Chicago, IL

Other Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding DRI programs, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.