Registration Information
Save up to $500 when you register on or before April 8, 2025!
Worry-free registration: Cancellations received thirty (30) days or more before an in-person seminar are entitled to a full refund.
Save Your Spot Today
In registering for this seminar, I attest that I devote a substantial portion of my professional time to defending the interests of individuals, business, associations, or governmental entities in civil litigation. I understand that DRI reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel my registration, without a refund, if I do not meet the criteria described above.
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Member Pricing |
Non-Member Pricing |
Non-Member Bundle ^ |
Regular Registration*
(Now thru Apr. 8) |
$1,595 |
$1,995 |
$1,915 |
| Onsite Registration* |
$1,695 |
$2,095 |
$2,015 |
Group Registration
(Non-Sponsored) |
Group registration is for registering four or more attendees. Members and non-members receive a 15% discount off the member and non-member rates respective to the time the group registration is initiated (i.e. Early Bird, Regular or On-Site registration periods). There is one free registration with every 10 paid registrations.
If you want to register for the group pricing, fill out the form here. Please note that online registration is not available for this offer. |
| 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. |
Not a DRI Member? Select the Non-Member Bundle and Save!
^ Not a DRI Member and new to DRI? Take advantage of the Non-Member / Trial Membership Bundle and receive up to 9 months of membership when you register for the seminar. You’ll be able to add this special offer to your cart at check out. Note: Trial membership processing can take up to 30 days from the date of purchase, please contact DRI Customer Service with any questions. Please note renewing members and members with recently lapsed memberships are not eligible for a Non-Member Bundle.
Learn more about membership at DRI and get started on your DRI journey today!
*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.
Networking Events
Premier Networking Reception at Ace Eat Serve
Sponsored by: ABC
Date: Thursday, April 10 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pricing: Free when you register for the seminar
Location: Ace Eat Serve, 501 East 17th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203
Get ready to serve up some serious networking fun at Ace Eat Serve! Ace Eat Serve isn't just a venue; it's your court for the evening, where legal eagles trade briefs for paddles in a ping-pong paradise. We’re keeping things casual and upbeat, so you can mix and mingle while showcasing your table tennis skills (or just cheering on the pros). (Net)work with your peers in a setting that's more about volleys than verdicts. You won't want to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to level up your career and have a blast doing it!
Colorado’s Finest – Beer Tasting Group Event
Date: Thursday, April 10 from 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Pricing: $175/person - can be added when you register for the seminar
Location: Onsite at Grand Hyatt Denver
Grab your taste buds and get ready for an evening of Colorado's finest! Join us for an evening where local brews meet mouthwatering bites, creating flavored combinations that'll make even the most seasoned litigator say, "I'll allow it!" From hoppy IPAs that pair perfectly with spicy appetizers to rich stouts complementing decadent desserts, this event is your chance to network with fellow attorneys while exploring Colorado's finest craft beers. No need to present your closing arguments – this night is all about opening bottles and new friendships! Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Elevate Your Palate at Our Captivating Street Taco Cooking Demonstration
Date: Thursday, April 10 from 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Pricing: $100/person - can be added when you register for the seminar
Location: Onsite at Grand Hyatt Denver
This isn't your average taco Tuesday, folks. Join the culinary team from the Grand Hyatt Denver as they guide you through the art of crafting these elevated street food delights, sharing their tips and tricks to help you bring the flavors of the city streets right into your own kitchen. The chef will guide you through the creation of Duck Confit and Blue Corn Tortilla Street Tacos. Savor the rich flavors of the duck confit, complemented by the fire-roasted tomato salsa, jicama and red cabbage slaw, and a delectable honey achiote dressing. To complete this gastronomic delight, enjoy a refreshing Tamarind Citrus Sparkler (non-alcoholic). Get ready to impress your friends, family, and even your colleagues with your newfound taco mastery. Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotel Information
The seminar will take place at Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202.
To contact the hotel directly, call 303.295.1234.
A limited number of discounted hotel rooms have been made available at the Grand Hyatt Denver. Take advantage of the group rate of $259.00 (plus taxes and fees) Single/Double.
Reserve your Room Online
The hotel block is limited, and rooms and rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must make reservations by March 18, 2025, to be eligible for the hotel's group rate. Requests for reservations made after March 18 are subject to room and rate availability.
Full Agenda
*Schedule and Speakers subject to change
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
| Time (Mountain) |
Session |
| 12:00 p.m. |
Registration |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Diversity Lunch (Ticketed Event)
Join members of the Diversity Subcommittee for lunch, networking, and remarks from Tiffany Feingold, Co-Founder of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”). The first of its kind in the nation, the Chamber’s mission is to "provide strategies and opportunities to optimize business growth by building an authentically diverse and equality-based workplace, while helping to further opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to excel in the workforce, business and leadership."
Tickets are $50/person and can be added when registering for the seminar.
|
| 2:20–5:00 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions (3 Rounds)
Choose out of three breakouts per round: ERISA, Life, Health and Disability, and Health / Long-Term Care.
Click "Breakout Sessions" tab below for full schedule. |
| 5:15–6:00 p.m. |
Life, Health and Disability Book Club
Our book club pick this year is Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. The book is historical fiction about Frances Perkins, the first woman to ever serve in a presidential cabinet.
Here's a snippet from the Amazon summary: ... when Frances meets a young lawyer named Franklin Delano Roosevelt at a tea dance, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. She thinks he's a rich, arrogant dilettante who gets by on a handsome face and a famous name. He thinks she's a priggish bluestocking and insufferable do-gooder. Neither knows it yet, but over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House. Frances is destined to rise in a political world dominated by men, facing down the Great Depression as FDR's most trusted lieutenant ... |
| 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). |
| 7:30 p.m. |
DRI Life, Health and Disability Women’s Networking Dinner
|
Thursday, April 10, 2025
| Time (Mountain) |
Session |
| 8:30 a.m. |
Registration & Coffee Service
Get to know the early risers in our group over a cup of coffee. |
| 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
DRI Cares | Blessings in a Backpack
Click here for details on this DRI Cares session.
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
Ford Stephens, Christian & Barton, LLP, Richmond, VA
Jason James, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, Irvine, CA
|
| 9:15 a.m. |
Anatomy of a Neuropsychological Evaluation
Join us for a detailed discussion of the neuropsychological evaluation process that leads to the reports often seen in claim files and litigation. This expert panel will break down the basic components of a standard evaluation and the critical elements of cognitive testing, including performance validity indicators and the limitations of such testing, and provide practical strategies for leveraging these reports in litigation.
Kristina Holmstrom, Ogletree Deakins, Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Melina Griss, Ph.D., The Hartford, Boston, MA
|
| 10:15 a.m. |
Coffee Break |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Recent Developments in Health Insurance Law: Key Updates and Trends
Keep up to date on new developments and emerging trends in health law with the annual LHD health law update.
Daniel Ryan, Hinshaw & Culbertson, Chicago, IL
|
| 11:30 a.m. |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2025: Is it legal? Is it Ethical? Is it Alive?
The legal profession, like the rest of the world, is being bombarded with AI. We are being told that AI is the future, but how do we ethically and safely use it in our firms, legal departments, and companies? This session will address these concerns, while providing an update on recent rulings and rules related to AI.
Julie Wall, Chittenden, Murday & Novotny, LLC, Chicago, IL
|
| 12:30 p.m. |
DRI Networking Lunch
Join with attendees for on-site lunch and networking opportunities that are second to none. |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Schmidtke on ERISA
You do not want to miss hearing about the latest developments in ERISA during this popular presentation.
Mark Schmidtke, Ogletree Deakins, Valparaiso, IN
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
Adjourn
|
| 3:00 p.m. |
Life, Health and Disability Committee Business Meeting |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Small Group Networking Opportunities
Sign up for one of these options and start building your connections and developing relationships! More information coming soon.
-Denver Escape Room Experience |
| 3:30 p.m. |
We Can Work It Out: Advanced Mediation Techniques
Join mediator Edwin Oster for a comprehensive analysis of negotiating psychology, heuristics, and advanced mediation techniques for experienced practitioners.
Edwin Oster, Oster Mediation, Newport Beach, CA |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Small Group Networking Opportunities
Sign up for one of these options and start building your connections and developing relationships!
-Colorado Beer Pairing
-Elevate Your Palate at Our Captivating Street Taco Cooking Demonstration
Click here for full details on networking opportunities. |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Premier Networking Reception | Ace Eat Serve
Sponsored by: Chartwell Law, Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP
Click here for full details of the reception.
|
| 8:00 p.m. |
Dine-Arounds
Join colleagues and friends at selected restaurants for dinner (on your own).
|
Friday, April 11, 2025
| Time (Mountain) |
Session |
| 6:45–8:00 a.m. |
DRI for Life Denver Walk/Run
Join us bright and early for a scenic walk/run through Denver. Meet in the lobby at 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure. |
| 8:30 a.m. |
Registration and Coffee Service |
| 9:00 a.m. |
Welcome and Announcements
Julie Wall, Chittenden, Murday & Novotny, LLC, Chicago, IL
|
| 9:10 a.m. |
These are Their Stories: Disability Update
Stay on top of the latest trends and disability case law with the annual Life, Health and Disability update.
Heather J. Austin, Wilson Elser, Philadelphia, PA
|
| 10:10 a.m. |
Coffee Break
|
| 10:25 a.m. |
This is Your Life … Insurance Update
A retrospective look at the past year’s notable litigation decisions and developments across the country for non-ERISA life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment claims.
Moheeb Murray, Bush Seyferth, Troy, MI
|
| 11:25 a.m. |
Ethics and the Life, Health and Disability Practitioner: A Guide to Rule 11’s Practical Implications and Applications
This ethics session will provide a practical discussion on Rule 11's requirements and how to comply, including how Rule 11 applies to an Life, Health, Disability and ERISA lawyer's daily practice and how to assess claims, defenses, objections, and legal arguments to avoid running afoul of the rule. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to talk with clients and work with opposing counsel to ensure Rule 11 compliance, respond to Rule 11 challenges, and pursue Rule 11 enforcement where necessary.
Robert Lesko, Piersen Ferdinand, New York, NY
|
| 12:25 p.m. |
Adjourn |
Breakout Session (Wednesday 2:20–5:00 p.m.)
| Time (Mountain) |
Session |
| 2:20 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions Round 1
|
|
Breakout: ERISA
Jumping the Gun: Strategies for Premature Litigation
Increasingly, plaintiffs are rushing to court to file ERISA lawsuits before the administrator makes a final decision on their claim. Join us for a discussion of strategies for handling premature lawsuits, with analysis of relevant cases across circuits and practical guidance for litigation.
Nancy Marr, Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, Los Angeles, CA
|
|
Breakout: Life, Health and Disability
Your Truth and The Truth: Defending Claims Based on Self-Reported and Subjective Symptoms
Claims dependent on self-reported and subjective symptoms that are not objectively verifiable present unique challenges during the administrative process and in litigation. This session will provide cutting-edge strategies for handling these nuanced cases, including a discussion of the inherent obstacles and opportunities for crafting compelling arguments when defending these claims.
Brian Downey, Troutman Pepper, Harrisburg, PA
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|
Breakout: Health / Long-Term Care
Long Term Care 101
This 101 session will cover the fundamentals of long-term care insurance coverage and litigation. Whether you're new to long term care or seeking to refresh your knowledge, these seasoned in-house and outside counsel will equip you with the essential information and strategies needed for success in this area.
Stephen M. Bressler, Lewis Roca, Phoenix, AZ
Josh Akbar, Genworth, Richmond, VA
|
| 3:10 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions Round 2
|
|
Breakout: ERISA
A Fresh Look: Strategies for Success Under De Novo Review
More cases are being decided under a de novo standard of review and more courts are conducting bench trials or proceedings under Rule 52. This presentation will provide a deep dive into de novo proceedings across the circuits, with a focus on how to approach these proceedings substantively and procedurally, and how to successfully litigate cases under de novo review.
Ian Morrison, Seyfarth Shaw, Chicago, IL
|
|
Breakout: Life, Health and Disability
The Rescission Decision
Hear about the intricacies of rescinding life, health, and disability insurance policies with expert insights from experienced in-house and outside counsel. This session will give you the practical strategies you need to determine when rescission is warranted, navigate the procedural requirements, anticipate potential legal challenges, and effectively clear the hurdles that often arise in rescission cases.
Michelle J. d’Arcambal, d’Arcamble Ousley & Cuyler Burk LLP, New York, NY
Maureen Middleton, Primerica Life Insurance Company, Duluth, GA
|
|
Breakout: Health / Long-Term Care
Recent Transitions: Legal Developments in Gender-Affirming Care
Explore the evolving legal landscape and emerging trends surrounding gender-affirming care in this comprehensive discussion. This talk will delve into the latest legislative developments, legal challenges, and policy shifts that relate to gender-affirming treatments.
Alexandra Markel, Bodman PC, Troy, MI
|
| 4:00 p.m. |
Refreshment Break
|
| 4:10 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions Round 3 |
|
Breakout: ERISA
Loper Bright: New Limits on DOL Regulations?
Did Loper Bright v. Raimondo change everything? This session focuses on the Supreme Court’s 2024 decision and its impact on federal regulations, including Department of Labor (DOL) rules for the administration of ERISA benefit claims. It will explore potential strategies for challenging DOL regulatory authority after Loper Bright and consider whether the DOL’s efforts to regulate claim administration – including the standard of review and exhaustion of administrative remedies – will survive enhanced judicial scrutiny in a post-Chevron world.
Brooks Magratten, Pierce Atwood, Providence, RI
|
|
Breakout: Life, Health and Disability
Social Security Disability Determinations: How to Combat From The Claims Stage Through Litigation
Gain valuable in-house and outside counsel perspectives on navigating Social Security disability awards, addressing such awards during the claim stage to build a compelling administrative record, and defending against and minimizing the impact of these awards during litigation.
Brandie Morgenroth, Nilan Johnson Lewis, Minneapolis, MN
Eileen Brewick, Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA
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|
Breakout: Health / Long-Term Care
Defending ERISA Health Claims in State Court: Nuts, Bolts, and Developments in Out-Of-Network Provider Litigation
Providers are increasingly trying to avoid federal court based on novel legal theories. This presentation will cover recent developments in preemption and standing and provide effective strategies to defend benefit claims that get stuck in state court under the veil of state common law.
Gregory Bennici, Robinson Cole, Stamford, CT
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| 5:00 p.m. |
Adjourn
|
CLE Information
Earn up to TBD hours of continuing legal education hours (CLE) from this seminar.
View CLE Credit by State
In some states that charge late CLE submission fees, there will be a $100 late fee to report CLE credits submitted more than 30 days after a seminar/virtual event. Click here for details on CLE late fees.
DRI's Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar is proudly supported by:
If you would like to contact DRI about seminar sponsorship opportunities (including pricing) or to reserve a spot, please visit the sponsorship page.
DRI Cares
Blessings in a Backpack
Please join us in supporting Blessings in a Backpack, an organization that mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Seminar attendees will have the opportunity to fill bags of food on the way to the joint networking lunch on Thursday. Feeding a child before you feed yourself is a wonderful way to support children and families in the Denver community.
Donate to Blessings in a Backpack
Additional Resources
If you have any questions or concerns regarding DRI programs, please contact DRI Customer Service at 312.795.1101 or custservice@dri.org.