NOSSCR is excited to introduce a new educational opportunity: Retired ALJ Gina Carpenter, back by popular demand with more of her “A Judge’s Perspective” sessions, is launching a new series: The Foundations Series.

The Foundations Series will explore the core legal concepts that shape Social Security disability adjudication. Each course will combine a review of the governing regulations and rulings, insight into how Administrative Law Judges evaluate the evidence, and practical tips on developing persuasive evidence and identifying legal errors on appeal.

These courses are designed to help representatives better understand the decision-making process and become more effective advocates. Each session will be highly interactive, so come prepared to participate! (Because of the interactive nature of these courses, they are not offered for CLE credit).

1st course: Residual Functional Capacity — The Centerpiece of ALJ Decisions

This session opens with a foundational overview of the regulations, rulings, and definitions that underpin Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) analysis. Building on that framework, the discussion turns to the types of evidence judges rely on when making specific RFC findings, equipping participants to identify and highlight the evidence needed to support the RFC limitations they want to establish, along with effective strategies for making those arguments. The session concludes with a hands-on exercise focused on spotting legal errors in RFC determinations.

Please note: this same course will repeat 4 additional times, twice a day on two dates, to allow maximum participation while adhering to small group sizes for maximum interaction with the judge. Please sign up for the one date/time below that best fits your schedule.

Session length:

• 90 minutes

Pricing per session:

• $75 nonprofit and emeritus members
• $108 sustaining members
• $120 regular members
• $143 nonmembers

Dates and times:

• Friday September 18, 10-11:30am Eastern & 2-3:30pm Eastern
• Friday September 25, 10-11:30am Eastern & 2-3:30pm Eastern

Register now for the 1st course (classes have limited seats and fill quickly):

Dates and topic for the 2nd course in the A Judge’s Perspective Foundations Series will be announced later this fall.

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