Wednesday, April 24, 2024

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– John M. Hollick & Lindsey M. Rowland, 2024 Institute Co-Chairs

9:05 – 10:05 a.m.
KEYNOTE PANEL
A View from the Bench – Practice Tips for Your Workers’ Comp Case
Learn the most effective methods of representing your client, arguing your positions, and meeting the opposing arguments in a session with a panel of judges from throughout the full potential span of a workers’ comp case – an OAH judge, a Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals judge, and a Minnesota Supreme Court justice. Useful practice tips, a summary of trial and appellate writing techniques, establishing your best evidentiary record, and more.
– Honorable Karl Procaccini, Honorable Patricia Milun & Honorable Veronica Walther
– John M. Hollick & Lindsey M. Rowland (moderators)

10:05 – 10:50 a.m.
The Year’s Most Significant Workers’ Compensation Cases
Jeff Jacobs is back to deliver his highly rated, annual case review! Jeff packs this session with practical insights about significant workers’ compensation cases decided over the past 12 months by the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.
– Jeffrey W. Jacobs 

10:50 – 11:10 a.m.
BREAK

11:10 – 11:40 a.m.
What I Thought I Knew About the “Other Side,” But Didn’t
This session explores misconceptions about the actions and intentions of opposing parties and their lawyers in workers’ comp matters. You’ll hear from two attorneys who, in their careers, have moved from one side of the aisle to the other. Hear what they’ve learned by being on the “other side” and how those lessons can make you a more effective advocate for your own clients.
– Jennifer M. Fitzgerald & Michael R. Johnson

11:40 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
GUEST SPEAKER
Getting to the Truth in Depositions – Asking the Right Questions the Right Way
Depositions of parties, experts, and witnesses are key to your workers’ compensation matters. And they are just some of the many crucial points in your cases when you are called upon to engage in effective questioning and credibility assessment. In this session, guest speaker Doug Cash will provide strategies for increased precision in your inquiries and for steering clear of confirmation bias.
– Doug Cash 

12:25 – 1:30 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on attendees’ own)

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

001
Planning for an IME: Timing, Provider Selection, Prep, Review, and More
– Steven T. Scharfenberg, Alejandro (Alex) Trevino & Vanessa Washington 

002
Marijuana and Work Injury – Asserting Intoxication
– John M. Hollick & Martin D. Kappenman

003
Understanding How Memory Works and What That Means for Assessing Credibility
– Doug Cash

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAK

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

101
Hot Seat Case Evaluations – How the Pros Assess Primary Liability, Wage Loss Damages, Medical Expenses and Other Key Issues
We’re putting 4 experienced workers’ comp lawyers in the hot seat. How? The first time they’ll see the short hypotheticals they’re evaluating is just a few hours before the presentation!
– Kelly P. Falsani, Gretchen Hall, Joshua W. Laabs & Christopher Yoshimura-Rank
– Honorable William J. Marshall (moderator)

102
How the New Minnesota Employee Leave Laws Intersect with Workers’ Comp – What It All Means for Your Client Matters and Your Practice
– Penelope J. Phillips

103
Understanding Truth and Deception and What That Means for Assessing Credibility
– Doug Cash

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAK

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

201
Medicare Set-Asides – Fact Scenarios and Practical Takeaways
Includes electronic audience polling!
– Annie M. Davidson & Gina M. Uhrbom

202
Ethics: Using Generative AI and ChatGPT Effectively, Responsibly, and Ethically in Your Law Practice
1.0 ethics credit applied for
– Todd C. Scott

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
INSTITUTE RECEPTION – FOOD! FUN! PRIZES!

Thursday, April 25, 2024 – Medical Day

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– John M. Hollick & Lindsey M. Rowland

9:05 – 10:05 a.m.
Anatomy 101 – Neck, Back and Spine: An Overview and Refresher for Workers’ Compensation Practitioners
For this foundational session, we’re joined by Dr. Mahmood Gharib – interventional physiatrist and Medical Director of the Spine Health Program at the University of Minnesota-M Health Fairview. Dr. Gharib will cover the fundamental aspects of neck, back, and spine anatomy, focusing on key terms, functions, and common mechanisms of injury.
– Mahmood Gharib, MD

10:05 – 10:15 a.m.
BREAK

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Heart Condition – Work-Related or Not?
Dr. Zeke McKinney is a HealthPartners clinician, who is board-certified in occupational medicine, general preventive medicine and public health, and clinical informatics. He will describe the clinician approach to determining, to the extent possible, the causality for an individual patient’s heart condition.
– Zeke J. McKinney, MD

11:15 – 11:25 a.m.
BREAK

11:25 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
What Chronic Pain Treatment Looks Like in 2024
Dr. Jason Dauffenbach holds certifications in pain medicine and in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He will share the latest advancements, innovative therapies, and interdisciplinary approaches that define today’s landscape of chronic pain treatment.
– Jason Dauffenbach, DO

LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday & Thursday, April 24-25, 2024
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Monday & Tuesday, May 13-14, 2024
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$445 MSBA members / $445 paralegals / $495 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
  
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 9.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit for attendees of session #202. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 9.0 credits.