Thursday, March 5, 2026
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago & Live Webcast
*Petitioner’s Perspective
**Respondent’s Perspective
8:55 – 9:00 Welcoming Announcements
David M. Barish, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, Chicago
9:00 – 9:15 Commission Update
Chairman Michael Brennan, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
9:15 – 10:00 Workers’ Compensation Caselaw Update 2025
New decisions by the Appellate Court and the Workers’ Compensation Commission that may impact your practice.
Arnold G. Rubin,Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago
Arbitrator Stephen J. Friedman (ret.), Formerly Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago &
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:00 Examining Section 5
Tackle complex issues surrounding exclusive remedy and subrogation in third-party claims, including loaning and borrowing employer scenarios, the impact of Zuber, and other Section 5 considerations. This session discusses practical strategies for identifying risks, managing litigation challenges, and ensuring compliance while protecting client interests.
Jack Cannon, Cannon Law, Chicago*
Brian Koch, Wiedner & McAuliffe, Chicago**
11:00 – 11:45 Evidence in the Digital Age
(0.75 professional responsibility)
A concise overview of handling digital evidence in workers’ compensation cases, including objections to emails and texts, proper authentication, compliance with Supreme Court disclosure rules, and the use of software to identify and remove sensitive information.
Philip Bareck , Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca PC, Chicago *
James Clune, Garofalo, Schreiber, Storm & Grant, Chtd., Chicago**&
11:45 – 12:30 Lunch Break
12:30 - 1:15 Medicare Set-Aside Update and Review
An in-depth examination of the latest developments and best practices in Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) arrangements in workers' compensation cases. This session will cover recent regulatory changes, key compliance considerations, and effective strategies for ensuring proper funding and management of MSAs. What do attorneys need to know to protect their clients?
Rafael Gonzalez, Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC, Charlotte
1:15 – 2:00 Employment Issues
This session evaluates and discusses retaliatory discharge and wrongful termination claims, with a focus on how separation agreements intersect with workers’ compensation cases. Explore key legal principles, practical considerations, and strategies for drafting and enforcing agreements while mitigating risk.
Julie O. Herrera, The Law Offices of Julie O. Herrera, Chicago*
2:00 – 2:45 Utilization Review and The Role of Nurse Case Managers
This session explores how utilization review impacts treatment decisions and the role of nurse case managers in coordinating care for workers’ compensation claims. Learn key regulatory requirements, communication best practices, and strategies for effective medical management that balance cost and quality. The session also covers handling conflicts between UR and treating physician recommendations, including appeals and 19(b) options.
John J. Castaneda, Castaneda Law Office, Geneva*
Kisa P. Sthankiya, Rusin Law, Ltd, Chicago**
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 3:45 Legal Writing / Proposed Decisions and Briefs on Review
(0.75 professional responsibility)
Gain practical guidance on crafting clear, persuasive legal documents for administrative and appellate review. This session covers techniques for organizing arguments, drafting proposed decisions, and preparing effective briefs that meet procedural requirements and strengthen advocacy.
Catherine Krenz Doan, Rubin Law Group, Ltd., Chicago*
Arbitrator Kurt Carlson, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
3:45 – 4:30 Nature & Extent: The Five Factors Revisited
Explore the five key factors used to determine the nature and extent of injuries in workers’ compensation cases. This session reviews current interpretations, practical applications, and recent developments impacting these evaluations. Gain insights into how these factors influence case outcomes and learn strategies for presenting compelling evidence.
James B. Hardy, Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, Chicago*
Michelle L. LaFayette, Ganan & Shapiro PC, Chicago**
4:30 – 5:00 Justice Holdridge Corner
A discussion on how the Workers’ Compensation Commission interprets, applies, and responds to appellate opinions, the practical impact those rulings have on case outcomes and what practitioners should understand about this ongoing dialogue between the two institutions.
Justice William E. Holdridge, Third District Appellate Court of Illinois, Peoria
Chairman Michael Brennan, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Chicago
5:00 Adjourn
& = IICLE® Publications Author
