Schedule times below are for the live webcast. Please refer to DATES & LOCATIONS for webcast replay start time.

The sessions highlighted in yellow will be shown on the webcast replay.

DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

8:20 – 8:50 a.m.
JOIN ONLINE

8:50 – 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Lorrie L. Bescheinen & Charlene K. Feenstra, Institute Co-Chairs

9:00 – 9:40 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

9:40 – 10:20 a.m.
COVID-19 and Minnesota Workers’ Compensation – Adapting to a New and Ever-Changing World
COVID-19 has delivered a set of acute shocks to legal and judicial processes. Finding a balance between health and safety and a continuation of critical services is enormously difficult. This session will include a discussion with Chief Administrative Law Judge Jenny Starr regarding the Office of Administrative Hearings' response and operational changes in light of COVID-19. In addition, we’ll get perspectives on COVID-19 from both sides of the bar – what we’re doing, experiencing, and how we’re responding.
Lorrie L. Bescheinen, Charlene K. Feenstra & Chief Judge Jenny L. Starr

10:20 – 11:00 a.m.
Labor Trafficking and Workers’ Compensation Fraud
This session will share red flags and resources to empower workers’ compensation attorneys to help identify and address labor trafficking in Minnesota. The discussion will provide an overview of worker exploitation in the construction industry and its impacts. When labor trafficking occurs, it often results in workers’ compensation premium fraud, claims fraud and risk control issues for workers’ compensation carriers.
Burt Johnson & Jessica K. Looman

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
BREAK

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101:   FOUNDATIONS
Case Intake Determinations 101 – Does Workers’ Compensation Law Govern? What Benefits Might Be Available?
Understanding key principles of the workers’ compensation system, and how to use client intake to make preliminary determinations about them: Does workers’ compensation law govern? What benefits are available to injured workers? How are they calculated? How long do they last? How are they coordinated with other benefits? Special issues relating to each type of benefit.
Amanda M. Furth & Dana L. Gerber

102
DOLI Update – In-Depth on the New PTSD Rules & E-Filing System (CAMPUS)
Here’s your chance to get practical tips and ask questions about two important new developments! A team of topicarea experts from the Department of Labor and Industry will provide (1) practical insights on the new PTSD rules and (2) concrete tips for using the new e-filing system (CAMPUS).
Richard D. Davis, Ethan S. Landy, Brad Morse, Lisa Wichterman & Laura B. Zajac

103
Traumatic Brain Injuries – 14 Tips for Negotiations Over Treatment Modes
7 tips from petitioner’s counsel for securing effective treatment for clients; 7 tips from defense counsel including as related to cost containment.
Joshua W. Laabs & Michael L. Opack

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
BREAK

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

201:  FOUNDATIONS
How to Handle a Workers’ Compensation Case from Beginning to End – Including Practice Tips from an OAH Judge!
2-hour session
A plaintiff and a defense lawyer walk through a hypothetical case, describing how they proceed for their clients – and OAH Judge Kirsten Marshall will offer her insights throughout. Foundational, detailed and practical information on: Pretrial Practice and Administrative Conferences; Settlements; The Hearing; The Appeal
Lorrie L. Bescheinen, Judge Kirsten M. Marshall & James A. Schaps

202
Medical and Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits 2020
Current issues and recent cases on medical and vocational rehabilitation. Content to include tips for handling rehab issues.
Stephanie M. Balmer, Debra Heisick & Carrie I. Jacobson

203
Arguing the Treatment Parameters
An overview of the updated Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Treatment Parameters: when they apply, getting them right and how to use them effectively for your clients.
Natalie K. Lund & Jerry W. Sisk

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAK

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

How to Handle a Workers’ Compensation Case from Beginning to End – Including Practice Tips from an OAH Judge!  (continued)

301
Check Your Currency on Intervention – You Might Be Surprised at What’s Changed 
Taking an intervention claim from beginning to end, special situations for stipulations for settlement, and some tips and tricks for negotiating intervention liens equitably and efficiently.
Alison R. Umland

302
I’ve Got My Eyes on You – Ethics Requirements for Supervising Your Staff
1.0 ethics credit applied for
To comply with the ethics rules and leave time to practice law, managing attorneys need to find the right balance between crossing their fingers and installing a nanny cam in the office. Join ever-popular presenter Eric Cooperstein for an in-depth look at ethical and practical tools for managing lawyers and non-lawyers, including the bookkeeper who is handling your trust account.
Eric T. Cooperstein

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
BREAK

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Medical Cannabis in the Workplace: 2020 Update
This session will provide a case law update, with discussions on how other state courts have ruled regarding the use of medical cannabis in workers’ compensation as well as the pending cases on appeal in Minnesota dealing with this issue. The speakers will also address the conflict between state and federal law, including the legal principles of federal preemption versus the Rohrabacher-Farr 2014 Amendment prohibiting the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis use in compliance with state laws. There will also be an overview of helpful settlement techniques to help you craft creative solutions to allow parties to resolve disputes surrounding medical cannabis.
Norbert Cuellar, Brad M. Delger & Dr. Alfonso Morales, M.D., D.A.B.P.M.

DAY 2 – THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

8:25 – 8:55 a.m.
JOIN ONLINE

8:55 – 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Common Hand- and Wrist-Related Work Comp Problems
Dr. Steven D. Meletiou is a fellowship-trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon. He will discuss common hand- and wrist-related problems, with a review of CMC (carpal metacarpal/thumb) arthritis, STT (scaphotrapezial trapezoid joint/wrist) arthritis, and work comp ratings.
Steven D. Meletiou, M.D.

10:00 – 10:10 a.m.
BREAK

10:10 – 11:10 a.m.
Pain After Injury: Whence and Whither Opioids?
How, when, and why are opioids appropriate for pain management? What is addiction, how fast can it take hold, and why does it only happen to some people? How does opioid withdrawal happen; is it dangerous – especially if someone goes “cold turkey?” What are the principles and general guidelines for weaning off opioids safely and effectively?
J.J. Rasimas, M.D.

11:10 – 11:20 a.m.
BREAK

11:20 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Managing Injured Workers with Somatic Symptom Disorder
Injured workers with somatic symptom disorder are not deliberately feigning illness. Their symptoms arise from unconscious reactions to a variety of internal and external stressors. An experienced pain specialist will address the challenge of managing injured workers with somatic symptom disorder. Using case examples, he will define the condition and explain how it differs from malingering and factitious disorder. Most importantly, he’ll identify patient-centered psychosocial strategies and approaches to medical care to minimize risks and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome in patients with this condition.
Steven Moskowitz, M.D.

12:20 – 1:15 p.m.
BREAK

1:15 – 3:15 p.m.
2.0 elimination of bias credits applied for

PART 1:  Addressing Implicit Bias in Workers’ Compensation Practice
Implicit bias refers to our automatic, even unintentional, attitudes or stereotypes that we unknowingly use to create shortcuts or make decisions more quickly and easily. Because implicit bias has tremendous impact on decision making, it can also create a barrier to proper case evaluation, strategy or resolution. This CLE will explore the concept of implicit bias and look specifically at how it affects both the process and the outcome of workers’ compensation claims. The presenter will provide information on how to create space and challenge implicit bias to become more effective lawyers, mediators and judges.
Molly N. Tyroler & Ryan Virden

PART 2:  A View from the Bench
As a complement to the preceding session, and to generate further discussion, the chief judges from the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and OAH provide their additional insights on acknowledging and interrupting implicit bias in our workers’ compensation practice.
WCCA Chief Judge Patricia J. Milun & OAH Chief Judge Jenny L. Starr

IN-PERSON LIVE PRESENTATION – NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Thursday-Friday, April 16-17, 2020
Wednesday-Thursday, August 26-27, 2020
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

LIVE WEBCAST
The webcast will include all plenary sessions and your choice of breakout sessions.
Wednesday-Thursday, August 26-27, 2020
Attend online

WEBCAST REPLAY
The webcast will include all plenary sessions, plus select breakout sessions. (See schedule.)
Thursday-Friday, September 10-11, 2020
Join online starting at 8:30 a.m.; Replay begins at 9:00 a.m.
Attend online

In-Person Live:  $395 MSBA members / $395 paralegals / $445 standard rate
Live Webcast:  $395 MSBA members / $395 paralegals / $445 standard rate
Webcast Replay:  $365 MSBA members / $365 paralegals / $395 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.

LIVE COURSE
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 11.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit for session #302, and 2.0 elimination of bias credits for the afternoon plenary on Day 2. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this Institute is 11.0 credits.

REPLAY COURSE
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 11.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit and 2.0 elimination of bias credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this Institute replay is 11.0 credits.

All course materials will be provided electronically.

Can't attend? The course materials are available for $95 (plus tax and handling). Call Minnesota CLE at 651-227-8266 or 800-759-8840. Available in hard copy or online. Orders will be filled after the Institute.