Kevin Kerr
Kevin S. Kerr has practiced in the area of Social Security Disability law since 2009 and is the senior partner at Kerr Robichaux and Carroll Law Office, which represents Claimants at all levels throughout the western states. He has personally appeared at over three thousand Social Security Administrative Law Judge hearings and has handled hundreds of appeals to Federal Court in Oregon and Washington and the Ninth Circuit. He also represents Veterans and is a member of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates. Kevin is a NOSSCR Board Member representing the Ninth Circuit and this is his eight time presenting at the NOSSCR Conference with his partner, Sara Rose Carroll.
End Game–Get You and Your Client Paid
Thursday, April 24
Sara Rose Carroll
Sara Rose Carroll has been a partner at Kerr Robichaux & Carroll since 2018. In addition to having repped thousands of clients at hearing, Sara has been instrumental in developing her firm's system of operations for handling claims start to finish. This year's topic is of special interest to her because she believes it is critical that representatives develop rigorous practices on the back-end. Clients endure incredibly long wait times and an extremely invasive process while pursing Social Security benefits. We must remain vigilant to ensure there are no slip-ups in the final stretch towards getting clients the benefits they deserve.
End Game–Get You and Your Client Paid
Thursday, April 24
Swapna Yeluri-Ricks
Swapna Yeluri-Ricks is a Senior Staff Attorney in the Economic and Healthcare Security Practice of the Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE), handling civil legal claims involving Veterans, Social Security, and Medicaid law. With 16 years of legal experience dedicated to nonprofits and low-income clients, she previously directed pro bono programs at the Homeless Persons Representation Project, managing projects on veterans’ legal issues and expungements and supervising over 450 volunteers. Earlier in her career, she developed a veterans’ hotline and represented youth in foster care, building on nonprofit roles serving under-resourced communities. Ms. Yeluri, a former chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Veterans’ Affairs Section, is the board vice chair for Lee Lee Kiddz, Inc., and a youth flag football coach.
How to Maximize the Public Benefits Available for Veterans and Surviving Spouses While Minimizing the Risk of Overpayments
Thursday, April 24
Robyn R. Griffin
Robyn R. Griffin is a senior attorney with Legal Counsel for the Elderly. She assists DC older adults with obtaining public benefits including Social Security, Medicaid and Home and Community Based Waivers services. She works to ensure LCE clients receive the income, benefits, and services to which they are entitled, to help them live independently in the community. Ms. Griffin trains and mentors volunteers, interns and attorneys working with clients on these matters. In addition, Ms. Griffin gives presentations throughout DC to educate residents about the importance and function of these documents.
How to Maximize the Public Benefits Available for Veterans and Surviving Spouses While Minimizing the Risk of Overpayments
Thursday, April 24
Emily Ford
Emily Ford is a staff attorney at Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) with the Economic and Healthcare Security Practice. There, she ensures that low-income and aging District residents have access to all the public benefits, including social security and veterans benefits that they are entitled to. Before she joined LCE in 2023, she assisted low-income children and families obtain safe housing and special education through the medical-legal partnership at the Children’s Law Center. She previously had spent two years as a Staff Attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit working primarily on Social Security appeals.
How to Maximize the Public Benefits Available for Veterans and Surviving Spouses While Minimizing the Risk of Overpayments
Thursday, April 24
Robert Wendt
Rob is a board-certified specialist in Social Security Disability law through the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), with over 40 years of experience representing disability claimants in South Carolina. He has handled thousands of administrative law judge hearings and hundreds of federal court appeals. Rob currently serves as an officer and Fourth Circuit board member of NOSSCR, as well as a board member of the NBTA and its Social Security Disability Specialty Commission. A frequent presenter at continuing legal education seminars, Rob has also been a leader in the Social Security Disability bar, including roles with the South Carolina Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the Federal Bar Association.
Hidden Gems from Court Cases
Thursday, April 24
Sarah H. Bohr
Sarah H. Bohr has specialized in Social Security law for over 40 years, crafting winning briefs for federal court cases across numerous district and circuit courts. She is proud of her successful argument before the Supreme Court in Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103 (2000), which shaped her career and allows her to approach federal appeals with strategic precision. Sarah has also contributed to key published decisions, including Simon v. Comm’r, Shelley C. v. Comm’r, and Arakas v. Comm’r, addressing critical issues like depression and fibromyalgia. A past president of NOSSCR, she is a frequent speaker at national Social Security conferences.
Hidden Gems from Court Cases
Thursday, April 24
Michelle Spadafore
Michelle Spadafore is the Senior Supervising Attorney of NYLAG’s Disability Advocacy Project. She previously worked at the AIDS Center of Queens County, a community-based nonprofit organization that provides services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Her background includes Social Security law, access to public benefits, and consumer credit issues. She has been involved in a number of impact litigation cases focused on improving SSA’s handling of non-disability appeals including Amin v. Kijakazi, Ershteyn v. Berryhill, and Campos v. Kijakazi.
Use the New ISM Rules to Maximize your SSI Client’s Benefits
Thursday, April 24
Amy Marinacci
Amy Marinacci, of Legal Council for Health Justice in Chicago, has been a legal aid attorney for nearly 20 years, focused on public benefits advocacy involving SSI/SSDI, SNAP, Medicaid and cash assistance. For the last ten years Amy has specialized in both disability and nondisability Social Security matters issues at all levels of administrative review and in federal court. She is an active member of the National SSI Advocates working group that meets regularly with senior Social Security Administration staff to advocate for policies that benefit SSI and SSDI applicants and claimants. Amy also serves as a Chicago Lead for SOAR in Illinois, a network of advocates providing disability benefits advocacy for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Amy is a 2005 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law.
Use the New ISM Rules to Maximize your SSI Client’s Benefits
Thursday, April 24
Meredith E. Marcus
Meredith E. Marcus is a partner with Osterhout Berger Daley LLC. She focuses her practice on Social Security disability law and federal and appeal court appeals in Social Security claims, RRB disability claims, VA claims and special education law. Ms. Marcus received her J.D. degree from University of Illinois Chicago, graduating cum laude. She is a recognized as a Super Lawyer and Leading Lawyer. Ms. Marcus is the editor of Social Security Disability Practice by James Publishing. She is the prior chair for the Chicago Bar Association Social Security Committee and the prior director at large for the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR). Ms. Marcus is admitted to practice in Illinois and Michigan. She is a member of COPPA, NADR and NOSSCR, and has lectured for NADR, NOSSCR, the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association, and National Business Institute. She is presently the Seventh Circuit representative on the NOSSCR board.
Effective Cross Examination of Medical Experts
Thursday, April 24
Theodore Glass
Theodore “Ted” Glass, Esq., a Senior Director at Mindset, specializes in Social Security disability law, driven by personal experiences with a disabled loved one that shaped his commitment to advocating for individuals with disabilities. A former Squad Leader in the U.S. Army, Ted served from 2004 to 2010, earning accolades during combat operations in Iraq and honing leadership skills he brings to his legal practice. He began his career at Hoglund, Chwialkowski & Mrozik PLLC and later excelled at Greeman & Toomey, PLLC, gaining extensive experience in Social Security claims from initial applications to federal appeals. Known for his meticulous preparation and strategic approach, Ted combines his military discipline and legal expertise to advocate for clients with empathy and precision, ensuring they receive the representation they deserve.
Navigating Supplemental Security Income Eligibility for Children: A Comprehensive Guide
Thursday, April 24
Heather Runkel
Heather has been practicing disability law since 2008. She began her career working at a large Social Security Disability law firm in Los Angeles, California. There she gained experience representing claimants from the initial application stage through the Appeals Council. In 2013, she moved to Washington State where she represented claimants at disability hearings and drafted pre-hearing and Appeals Council briefs for multiple firms throughout the country. In 2022, she opened her own practice focusing on assisting other firms and attorneys nationwide with their case preparation/pre-hearing briefs and Appeals Council briefs. She is a member of the California State Bar Association, the State Bar of Washington, and the National Organizations of Social Security Claimant's Representatives.
Pre-Hearing Brief Writing 101
Thursday, April 24
Nathan Chapman
Nobody knows more about how to grow a disability practice than Nathan Chapman. At a 1991 NOSSCR conference his agency was first in the nation to bring professional marketing to Social Security disability. Through Firmidable, firms have grown to become household names and regional powerhouses.
With degrees in Finance and a marketing-focused MBA, Nathan’s passion is data-driven, holistic marketing driven by firm’s measures of success.
How to Build and Scale a High-Volume Disability Practice
Thursday, April 24
Gary Bimberg
Gary Bimberg is a co-managing partner at Levine Benjamin, a Southfield, MI, law firm nationally recognized for its leadership in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Under his leadership, the firm has grown from three to 13 attorneys, quadrupled its annual revenue, and represented over 120,000 claimants since 1975. Gary earned his B.A. from Michigan State University and his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy.
How to Build and Scale a High-Volume Disability Practice
Thursday, April 24
Joseph Houle
Joseph Houle is a co-managing partner at Levine Benjamin, a prominent Southfield, MI, law firm specializing in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Under his guidance, the firm has expanded significantly, achieving state, regional, and national recognition, growing from three to 13 attorneys, and representing over 120,000 claimants since 1975. Joe holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Detroit.
How to Build and Scale a High-Volume Disability Practice
Thursday, April 24
James Mitchell Brown
James Mitchell Brown has been representing claimants since 1973, when only 8% retained representatives and hearings were conducted by “hearing examiners” holding just a few per month. A speaker at the first NOSSCR seminar in 1979, Jim has since given over 70 presentations. In 1982, he gained national attention by appearing on a CBS special with Bill Moyers about Reagan-era safety nets, leading to invitations to testify in Congress and appear on other media platforms. As NOSSCR president (1988–1989), Jim worked tirelessly in Washington to preserve claimants’ appeal rights and secure direct payment of attorney fees. In the late 1990s, he successfully advocated for reduced user fees and fee withholding on SSI claims. Honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 2004, Jim remains dedicated to protecting the rights of claimants and their representatives, believing that access to representation is essential to justice.
Using Your Creativity to Win More Cases and Enhance Every Aspect of Your Practice
Thursday, April 24
Lindsay Osterhout
A native of western Pennsylvania, Lindsay has been passionate about helping others through law since her law school days, where she represented disability claimants at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Disability Law Clinic. After graduating, she worked at Berger and Green, supporting attorneys in disability claims, before joining Karl Osterhout in 2007. Lindsay became a partner at Osterhout Berger Daley in 2010, where she also runs the Admin Department. In addition to her law practice, she co-founded Legal Compass, a legal service company offering case summaries and court filing services for Social Security claimants. Lindsay is dedicated to her community, having served on her local Borough Council, volunteered as a board member for the Oakmont Carnegie Library, and supported her local chapter of Girls on the Run.
Demystifying OHO: Panel Discussion with former SSA ALJ and Attorney Decision Writer
Thursday, April 24
Sherianne Laba
Sherianne serves as a Managing Associate at Osterhout Berger Daley, bringing years of legal expertise and knowledge to her practice in the areas of student rights and Special Education Law as well as in federal court appeals of Social Security disability claims. Prior to joining Osterhout Berger Daley, Sherianne served as a Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration and as Presiding Administrative Law Judge for the California Office of Administrative Hearings, Special Education Division.
Sherianne received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento before attending the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Sherianne later earned a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from California State University, Sacramento.
Demystifying OHO: Panel Discussion with former SSA ALJ and Attorney Decision Writer
Thursday, April 24
Erin Duffy
Born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Erin graduated early from Northern Illinois University College of Law and passed the February 2016 bar exam. She began her legal career prosecuting traffic, ordinance violation, and DUI cases before handling residential real estate closings and serving as a decision writer for the Social Security Administration at the Oak Brook, Illinois, Office of Hearings Operations. As a federal employee, Erin received an Exemplary Contribution of Service Award and evaluated fee petition cases. She returned to private practice in 2021 to apply her SSA experience in disability law, focusing on the appellate section at OBL. Erin lives in Sycamore, Illinois, with her husband and two children. A former cheerleader and coach, she now serves as an Illinois High School Association official for competitive cheerleading. Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to northern Michigan, cooking, and reading.
Demystifying OHO: Panel Discussion with former SSA ALJ and Attorney Decision Writer
Thursday, April 24
George Piemonte
George Piemonte is a Past President of NOSSCR and current 11th Circuit rep. He has practiced law since 1987 and has concentrated on Social Security Disability since 1995.
How to Deal with Bogus VE Testimony
Thursday, April 24
Jonathan Heeps
Jonathan Heeps is a solo practitioner in Dallas Fort Worth. He has practiced Social Security Disability exclusively since 2010. He is admitted to the four district courts in Texas and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal. Before opening his practice, he worked for several of the nation’s largest and most disability firms. Jonathan is Of Counsel to several disability firms writing district and circuit court briefs.
How to Deal with Bogus VE Testimony
Thursday, April 24
Suzanne Zalev
Suzanne has represented SSI/SSDI claimants since 2015 at all levels of their cases. As a senior attorney in Bay Area Legal Aid’s SSI unit in Oakland, CA, she frequently represents clients who are incarcerated or have a history of incarceration. Suzanne also serves as a Ninth Circuit Representative on NOSSCR’s Board of Directors.
Your Client Went to Jail. Now What?
Thursday, April 24
Em Juneau
Em Juneau is a senior staff attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid. They have worked with BayLegal's incarcerated clients to secure SSI and disability benefits since 2018. Prior to that, Ms. Juneau developed curricula for in-prison legal education. She is a graduate of NYU Law and in good standing with the California Bar Association.
Your Client Went to Jail. Now What?
Thursday, April 24
Tammy Seltzer
Tammy has been Director of Disability Rights DC’s Jail & Prison Advocacy Project (JPAP) since February 2013. She has worked for almost 30 years vindicating the civil rights of people with mental illness in various arenas including the justice system. JPAP aims to remove obstacles to reentry for DC residents with psychiatric and developmental disabilities while also monitoring conditions at DC Department of Corrections’ facilities. JPAP was the first and only project in DC to assist incarcerated residents with pre-release SSI/SSDI applications. Prior to working at DRDC, Tammy spent 10 years as an attorney with the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.
Your Client Went to Jail. Now What?
Thursday, April 24
Erica Hartwig
Erica Hartwig, Staff Attorney, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
Biography to be provided
Your Client Went to Jail. Now What?
Thursday, April 24
Kevin Liebkemann
Kevin is a Tulane Law graduate who has represented clients in Social Security Disability cases for over 25 years. He received the Eileen P. Sweeney award for distinguished service from NOSSCR in 2018. He is currently Chief Section Counsel for Disability Rights at Legal Services of New Jersey, a not-for-profit Legal Aid group that provides free legal help to many people who otherwise could not afford it. Kevin’s work also involves research and writing articles on disability-related topics, training other attorneys and advocates, and policy work. When Kevin is not doing legal work or spending time with family, he enjoys writing songs and performing music.
Vocational Science by the Numbers
Friday, April 25
Jennifer Coleman
Jennifer Coleman is the Assistant Commissioner for Compensation Levels and Trends at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. She leads this Office regarding production and development for the Bureau’s Occupational Requirements Survey as well as the National Compensation Survey, and the Employment Cost Index, a principal federal economic indicator. Prior to becoming Assistant Commissioner, Jennifer was the Division Chief of Compensation Data Analysis and Planning, overseeing procedures and survey development, survey information and publications. She played an integral role in collaborating with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to overhaul the mental cognitive survey questions collected in the Occupational Requirements Survey and developing and implementing OCLT’s new strategic plan and program direction. Jen has a B.A. in Economics from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Vocational Science by the Numbers
Friday, April 25
Linda L. Landry
Linda L. Landry is a senior attorney who has worked at the Disability Law Center (DLC) in Boston since 1990. Her focus is on Social Security benefit issues and work incentives, as well as the related health benefits, MassHealth and Medicare. She has over forty years of experience in legal advocacy in these areas, which has included individual representation, training, impact and policy work, class action litigation, and backup, support, and technical assistance to a statewide project of attorneys and advocates who represent individual Social Security and SSI disability benefits claimants. She writes and presents on a variety of topics for local and national audiences. She is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and worked at Neighborhood Legal Services in Lynn MA, in the 1980s before coming to the DLC. She received the NOSSCR Distinguished Service Award in 2006, the Massachusetts Bar Association Equal Access to Justice Award in 2011, a Massachusetts Top Women of the Law Award in 2013, and the Boston Center for Independent Living Marie Feltin Award in 2018.
Dread Deeming? Learn How to Apply it and the New Rule that Tames It
Friday, April 25
John S. Whitelaw
John S. Whitelaw has been the Advocacy Director at CLASI since December 2017, where he develops strategies to address systemic issues and mentors advocates in government benefits and SSA matters. With over 30 years of experience, he has represented low-income and vulnerable clients at all administrative levels and in federal and state courts. Previously, he served as Co-Director of the Aging and Disabilities Unit at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, where he worked for nearly 20 years. John has been a national and regional presenter and trainer on SSI and Social Security Disability matters, including for AARP's National Training Project. His earlier roles include positions at CLASI (1995–1997), legal aid programs in West Virginia and Minnesota, and the Federal Public Defender Association in Philadelphia. John’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including the CLS Equal Justice Award, PLAN Excellence Award, and recognition as a Philadelphia Super Lawyer. He holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in History from the College of William and Mary.
Dread Deeming? Learn How to Apply it and the New Rule that Tames It
Friday, April 25
Debora Wagner
Debora Wagner has over 25 years of experience in legal services and law school clinical programs, focusing on benefits issues, including post-entitlement and return-to-work topics. From 2016 to 2022, she led Ohio’s statewide network of work incentives training and technical assistance for benefits planners. Since joining Cornell in December 2021, she has continued providing training and technical assistance and developed a credential course on Work Incentive Planning for Veterans. Debora serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Specialists and the Social Security Administration’s Standing Committee of Medical and Vocational Experts.
SSI Work Rules and 1619 Magic
Friday, April 25
Aleyda Toruno
Aleyda has been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities for over 20 years. Prior to her current position at Cornell, she represented clients in mediations and hearings in the area of Social Security work incentives, vocational rehabilitation, special education, California Regional Center services and Medi-Cal. Her passion to help clients through the employment continuum led her to the world of work incentives counseling. Most recently she was the project manager and work incentives counselor through the federally funded WIPA project at Disability Rights California. Aleyda joined Cornell in 2023 where she provides work incentives training, technical assistance and support at the Yang Tang Institute.
SSI Work Rules and 1619 Magic
Friday, April 25
Heather Freeman
Attorney Heather Freeman concentrates in federal court litigation pursuant to the Social Security Act and consultation services for disability attorneys nationwide. For over 20 years, she has represented Social Security disability claimants in administrative agency proceedings and plaintiffs in federal district and circuit court appeals nationwide. Heather is licensed to practice in Illinois (2004) and Florida (2007), and is admitted to practice in 20 federal courts.
AC Strategy
Friday, April 25
Katrina Tomer
Katrina Tomer is a Senior Legal Services Assistant with Queens Legal Services Disability Advocacy Project (DAP). I assists with helping individuals with physical or mental disabilities retain and continue to receive Social Security disability benefits by filing appeals on denied claims or terminated benefits, and overpayments. Katrina previously worked for private firms focusing on Social Security Disability initial applications, reconsideration and appeals. Her passion for advocacy stems from her need to help those whom cannot advocate on their own. Katrina graduated from Berkeley College of New York City with a Bachelors Degree of Science in Criminal Justice.
Oh No! I Have an Overpayment–Now What?
Friday, April 25
Michelle Spadafore
Michelle Spadafore is the Senior Supervising Attorney of NYLAG’s Disability Advocacy Project. She previously worked at the AIDS Center of Queens County, a community-based nonprofit organization that provides services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Her background includes Social Security law, access to public benefits, and consumer credit issues. She has been involved in a number of impact litigation cases focused on improving SSA’s handling of non-disability appeals including Amin v. Kijakazi, Ershteyn v. Berryhill, and Campos v. Kijakazi.
Oh No! I Have an Overpayment–Now What?
Friday, April 25
Jon C. Dubin
Jon C. Dubin is the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Distinguished Professor of Law, Paul Robeson Scholar and Director of the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic at Rutgers Law School. He teaches Administrative Law, Social Security Law, Poverty, Race and Economic Justice, and the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic. His clinical practice and scholarship for over 30 years have focused on the SSDI/SSID programs, including co-counseling the successful appeal and serving as the principal drafter of the Petitioner’s Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103 (2000)—a case in which the high court also twice cited Dubin’s National Equal Justice Library award-winning COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW article “Torquemada Meets Kafka” and adopted the article’s doctrinal label, “issue exhaustion,” and reasoning in its decision. He was also Counsel of Record for 56 law professors from 40 law schools as Amicus Curiae in the Supreme Court in Carr v. Saul, 141 S.Ct. 1352 (2021).
Do Disabled Black Lives Matter in the SS Disability System?
Friday, April 25
Richard P. Weishaupt
Richard P. Weishaupt, Senior Attorney at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, has spent over 50 years advocating for Social Security and Health and Human Services clients, representing over 4,000 individuals and co-leading landmark cases like Sullivan v. Zebley, which reformed the SSI Children’s program. An expert in disability law, he focuses on children’s SSI cases and policies for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease. A summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, Richard has also trained countless professionals and received numerous honors, including the Reginald Heber Smith Award. He is a proud grandfather, movie enthusiast, and bread baker.
Do Disabled Black Lives Matter in the SS Disability System?
Friday, April 25
Thomas A. Krause
Thomas A. (Tom) Krause has been a Sustaining Member of NOSSCR for 29 years and served on the NOSSCR Board for eight years. He has presented at numerous NOSSCR conferences and Eighth Circuit Social Security Disability Law conferences.
100 Things Every Disability Claimant’s Representative Needs to Know
Friday, April 25
Norman McGill
Named a Leading Lawyer by peer survey conducted by Leading Lawyers.com. Named by Illinois State Bar Association to statewide Trusts and Estates Section Council. Martindale-Hubbell nation wide AV rating. Bradley University Graduate and SIU Law School Graduate. Past supervising associate editor of the SIU law journal. Over 38 years experience in all areas of family law (divorce, custody, visitation and support issues), estate planning (especially Trusts) and probate matters, guardianship matters, wills, trusts, criminal defense matters, civil and debt collection matters, bankruptcies (both chapter 7 and 13), Social Security Disability and SSI matters. I have practiced law in over 25 counties in Illinois, in both Federal and State courts, assisting thousands of clients with their legal needs. I have appeared in Social Security Disability administrative law proceedings across the country. I am a member of a law firm that has been voted multiple times as one of the top three law firms of Central Illinois. When legal difficulties or legal adversities appear in your life, come see me for caring, compassionate and vigorous legal representation.
Hey Rookie! How to Develop an SSDI/SSI Case from Start to Finish and End Up in the Hall of Fame
Friday, April 25
Nick Coleman
Nick is a Social Security Disability attorney and legal tech innovator based in Bentonville, Arkansas. As founder of Coleman Law Firm, he specializes in federal court appeals, earning recognition as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. In 2023, he launched LexMed, where he develops AI-powered tools to improve disability case outcomes. Recently appointed to the Arkansas Bar AI Task Force, Nick advocates for responsible AI use while striving to make advanced tools accessible to all attorneys. A lifelong Arkansan, he remains dedicated to leveraging technology to address challenges in the legal field.
From Trenches to Tech: Building AI Tools for Disability Practice
Saturday, April 26
J. Blair Biser
J. Blair Biser is a North Carolina Board Certified Social Security Disability Law Specialist. He has spent nearly two decades representing claimants before the administration and in the federal district courts of North Carolina. Most recently, he has joined a stellar team of attorneys at the Deuterman Law Group. When not in the office, he is singing, taking pictures, traveling the beautiful state of North Carolina, and spending time with his daughter and his dog.
Unpacking Persuasiveness: Strategies with a View to Appeal
Saturday, April 26
Ann Biddle
Ann is the Litigation Supervisor for the Mental Health Project at the Urban Justice Center in New York City and is a statewide coordinator for New York State’s Disability Advocacy Project, a position she has held for more than 25 years. Ann is a graduate of Emory University and Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She has worked for various civil legal services organizations for more than 30 years, specializing in Social Security disability issues and issues affecting the elderly. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, in Federal District Courts (Eastern and Southern Districts of New York), and in the Courts of Appeals for the Second and the Federal Circuits.
Build Trust and an Ethical Practice for Clients with Mental HealthConcerns
Saturday, April 26
Jon C. Dubin
Jon C. Dubin is the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, Distinguished Professor of Law, Paul Robeson Scholar and Director of the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic at Rutgers Law School. He teaches Administrative Law, Social Security Law, Poverty, Race and Economic Justice, and the Economic Justice and Public Benefits Clinic. His clinical practice and scholarship for over 30 years have focused on the SSDI/SSID programs, including co-counseling the successful appeal and serving as the principal drafter of the Petitioner’s Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103 (2000)—a case in which the high court also twice cited Dubin’s National Equal Justice Library award-winning COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW article “Torquemada Meets Kafka” and adopted the article’s doctrinal label, “issue exhaustion,” and reasoning in its decision. He was also Counsel of Record for 56 law professors from 40 law schools as Amicus Curiae in the Supreme Court in Carr v. Saul, 141 S.Ct. 1352 (2021).
Build Trust and an Ethical Practice for Clients with Mental Health Concerns
Saturday, April 26
Sarah H. Bohr
Sarah H. Bohr has specialized in Social Security law for over 40 years, crafting winning briefs for federal court cases across numerous district and circuit courts. She is proud of her successful argument before the Supreme Court in Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103 (2000), which shaped her career and allows her to approach federal appeals with strategic precision. Sarah has also contributed to key published decisions, including Simon v. Comm’r, Shelley C. v. Comm’r, and Arakas v. Comm’r, addressing critical issues like depression and fibromyalgia. A past president of NOSSCR, she is a frequent speaker at national Social Security conferences.
Build Trust and an Ethical Practice for Clients with Mental Health Concerns
Saturday, April 26
