Thursday, October 16, 2025 | Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission | Chicago
Or Via Live Webcast
*Petitioner’s Perspective
**Respondent’s Perspective
8:55 – 9:00 Welcoming Announcements and Introduction
Francis J. Lynch, Wolter, Beeman, Lynch & Dennis, LLP, Springfield, Program Moderator
9:00 – 10:00 Evaluating Workers’ Compensation Cases: What needs to be evaluated when you receive first receive a case
Learn how to evaluate whether a workers’ compensation case is compensable from both the Petitioner’s and Respondent’s point of view. This session covers the basics—jurisdiction, statute of limitations, accident, medical causation, the employer/employee relationship, average weekly wage, and available benefits. We’ll also look at real examples, including gig workers like Uber and Lyft drivers, and walk through documents commonly used in practice to help you understand what needs to be proven and how to do it.
Catherine K. Doan, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago *
Jeffrey T. Rusin, Rusin & Maciorowski, Ltd., Chicago**
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:00 Professional Communication and Civility in Workers’ Compensation Practice
(0.75 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
Effective communication is critical in every aspect of workers’ compensation law. This session provides practical guidance on communicating clearly and professionally with clients, opposing counsel, arbitrators, and judges. Learn how to manage difficult conversations, set client expectations, and maintain civility in high-stress situations. Emphasis will be placed on fostering credibility, building professional relationships, and navigating common communication challenges in workers’ compensation cases.
Julio A. Costa, Costa Ivone, LLC, Chicago*
11:00 – 12:00 Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
(1.0 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
Gain an understanding what benefits injured workers may be entitled to and how to prove them. This session covers medical bills, temporary and permanent benefits, vocational rehab, and client communication. You'll also get practical tips on handling client questions and building a strong case for each type of benefit.
Philip A. Bareck, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago*
Austin E. Friedrich, Ganan & Shapiro PC, Chicago**
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch break
12:45 – 1:45 Preparing and Evaluating the Workers’ Compensation Case for Trial
(1.0 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
Get practical guidance on how to prepare a workers’ compensation case for trial from start to finish. Learn what you need to prove, how to prove it, what you’re asking for, and how to get witnesses ready. We’ll cover best practices for pre-trials, trial strategy, and handling common evidentiary issues. Topics include presenting surveillance, social media, deposition testimony, rules of evidence and witness credibility to build a strong case.
Jack Cannon, Cannon Law, Chicago*
Brian Koch, Wiedner & McAuliffe, Chicago**
1:45 – 2:30 Effective Settlement Strategies and Client Communication in Workers’ Compensation
(0.75 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
When is the right time to settle a case—and how do you guide your client through it? This session covers the pros and cons of settlement, key factors to consider, and how to protect your client through strong contract language. Learn how to approach negotiations, handle Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) and liens, and explain the process clearly to your client while managing their expectations. We’ll also cover how to navigate disputed settlements and set realistic expectations to avoid misunderstandings. A practical guide to managing both the legal and personal sides of settlement.
Jose M. Rivero, Cullen, Haskins, Nicholson & Menchetti, P.C., Chicago*
James Clune, Garofalo, Schreiber, Storm & Grant, Chtd., Chicago**&
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 3:30 The Appellate Process in Workers’ Compensation
(0.75 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
Learn about reviewing decisions from the Commission through the Appellate Court. Gain a general understanding of procedural considerations including standards of review, deadlines, and the required briefs and filings. We will discuss next steps, how to appeal to the Commission, preparing for oral arguments and briefs, circuit court, appellate court and supreme court and the standard of review as you go up
Jill Wagner, Disparti Law Group, Chicago *
Elena K. Cincione, Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C., Chicago**
3:30 – 4:30 Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Arbitrators Panel
(1.0 Professional Responsibility pending approval)
Learn from the arbitrators themselves what they think practitioners should know aboutpre-trials, deposing a witness and proposed Commission decisions.
ArbitratorJames M. Byrnes, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
Arbitrator Jeffrey Huebsch, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
Arbitrator Paul Seal, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Roselle
Arbitrator Ana Vazquez, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
4:30 Adjourn
