Benefit Plan Claims,
Appeals & Litigation

Benefits claims decisions that don't survive court scrutiny cost organizations millions in judgments and attorney fees. In 1 day, you'll master the claims procedures, documentation practices, and litigation defense strategies that protect your plan. Learn from attorneys who handle these cases every day.

Delivery Options:
In Person
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46+ YEARS
Employment Law Training
|
80,000+
Certificates Earned
|
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS
Not Academics

Build Claims Expertise That Wins in Court

Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation is 1 intensive day where you'll master DOL-compliant claims procedures, build bulletproof administrative records, and learn the litigation strategies that protect your plan—working through real cases with experienced benefits attorneys.

What Sets This Program Apart

  • Bulletproof procedures – DOL-compliant claims processes, documentation requirements, and state law navigation
  • Defensible decisions – Build administrative records that win in court, handle disability claims, and structure appeals correctly
  • Litigation advantages – Leverage deferential standards of review, limited discovery, and no jury trial rules
  • Professional certification – Earn your certificate plus 6.5 SHRM/HRCI/CLE continuing education credits
  • Benefits beyond the classroom – Your investment includes quarterly legal updates, faculty access, and alumni resources that keep you current year-round. View participant benefits →
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What You'll Master in 1 Day

A comprehensive claims and litigation framework covering ERISA procedures, documentation, fiduciary duties, emerging issues, and strategic advantages in benefits litigation.

Build Bulletproof Procedures

Know which plans ERISA covers and maintain proper documentation.

Foundation

Plan coverage determination

Know which plans ERISA covers and which are exempt.

Advanced

Documentation requirements

Maintain SPDs, SMMs, and plan documents that satisfy DOL standards.

Advanced

Reporting obligations

File Form 5500 correctly and meet disclosure deadlines.

Expert

State law navigation

Understand when ERISA preempts state requirements and when it doesn't.

Advanced

Claims procedures

Establish DOL-compliant procedures that protect your appeal rights.

Expert

Decision documentation

Create the administrative record that wins in court.

Expert

Disability claims

Navigate the heightened standards for disability benefit claims.

Expert

Appeal processes

Structure appeals that satisfy regulatory requirements and build your defense.

Advanced

Fiduciary identification

Know who the fiduciaries are and what obligations they have.

Expert

Investment duties

Understand prudent investment requirements and monitoring obligations.

Expert

Reimbursement rights

Protect your plan's right to recover overpayments and subrogation.

Expert

Anti-cutback compliance

Avoid benefit reductions that trigger participant lawsuits.

Advanced

Recent court decisions

Learn what appellate courts are saying about claims and appeals.

Advanced

DOL enforcement trends

Understand where regulators are focusing attention.

Advanced

Best practices evolution

Stay current with what courts expect from plan administrators.

Expert

Litigation hot topics

Prepare for the claims issues that are generating lawsuits now.

Expert

Arbitrary and capricious standard

Leverage the deferential standard of review.

Expert

No jury trials

Understand how bench trials favor plan administrators.

Expert

Limited discovery

Use the administrative record rule to control litigation scope.

Expert

Attorney fee rules

Know when courts award fees and how to minimize exposure.

Ready to Transform Your Workplace?

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Choose Your Format. Not Your Quality.

In-person, virtual, or on-demand - every program features the same practicing attorneys, current content, and professional credits you need.

Hotel Details

Practicing Attorneys, Not Academics

Learn from employment law attorneys who practice what they teach. Your instructors actively handle union campaigns, defend discrimination charges, and win employment law cases - then share exactly what works in real courtrooms and workplaces.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Ray is widely regarded as a dean of labor and employment law, known for his encyclopedic knowledge and unmatched command of workplace regulations. For over 40 years, he has represented management nationwide, blending a powerhouse advisory practice with a formidable litigation record.

Read Ray's full bio →
John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

Partner, Labor & Employment at Thompson Hine LLP

John F. Wymer is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney and partner in Thompson Hine LLP's Labor & Employment group. With decades of experience, he represents public and private sector employers nationwide in employment discrimination, wage-and-hour, labor negotiations, union matters, ERISA claims, and more.

Read John's full bio →
Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Founder, Law Offices of Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams is a distinguished employment and labor law attorney based in Colorado Springs. As the founder of his own firm, he advises and represents employers on a wide range of issues including employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour compliance, and traditional labor law.

Read Wayne's full bio →
Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Of Counsel, Kubik Workplace & Investigative Services

Dawn Kubik is an employment attorney and founder of Kubik Workplace and Investigative Services and Dawn R. Kubik, P.C. With a legal career spanning since 1997, she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in employment, personal injury, contract, and insurance disputes, earning a reputation as a strategic, well-prepared, and highly communicative advocate.

Read Dawn's full bio →
Patrick Scully

Patrick Scully, Esq.

Partner at Foley Hoag

Patrick Scully primarily focuses on labor law issues and helps clients successfully navigate complex and persistent claims from international and local labor unions. Patrick's work includes unfair labor practice charges and representation cases as well as federal and state court litigation. He frequently advises employers in collective bargaining negotiations and handles labor arbitration.

Read Patrick's full bio →
Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Senior Corporate Counsel, White Cap

Rudi is Senior In-House Counsel at White Cap, where she counsels and defends the organization as it responds to administrative agency complaints, potential litigation, and employee lawsuits. Drawing on extensive experience in labor and employment law, she supports leaders and HR professionals in navigating complex workplace issues.

Read Rudi's full bio →
Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C.

Jacqueline E. Kalk represents and advises management across industries including manufacturing, construction, crowd-sourcing, and virtual companies. She focuses on independent contractor classification, wage-and-hour compliance, equal pay, and employment litigation, defending clients in state and federal courts.

Read Jacqueline's full bio →
Grant S. Gibeau

Grant S. Gibeau

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Grant Gibeau is a partner in Taft's Minneapolis Employment and Labor Relations practice group. Grant's practice primarily focuses on helping employers navigate all aspects of the employment relationship, from identifying workplace best practices and policies, drafting employee handbooks, and vigorously defending against claims.

Read Grant's full bio →
Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Amy represents employers across industries including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. She advises on employee relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining, harassment prevention, and compliance with key employment laws like Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and FCRA.

Read Amy's full bio →

✨ Exclusive Attendee Benefits

  • Pre-Program Consultation

    Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

  • Professional Credits

    Earn 6.5 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits—more than most HR professionals earn in two years.

  • Ongoing Development

    12 months of quarterly employment law updates keep you current as regulations change.

  • Alumni Advantages

    $300-$500 off all future programs—for you and every colleague you refer.

Pre-Program Consultation

Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

Quick Answers

We know you're busy. Here's what you actually need to know.

Within minutes, you'll receive an invoice email. Once payment is processed, you can schedule your complimentary pre-program consultation (10-15 minutes) to discuss your specific claims challenges and identify which topics will have the biggest impact for your organization. Pre-program materials arrive one week before your session starts.
The 1-day program provides 6.5 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits. Plus, your enrollment includes 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions x 1.5 credits each = 6 additional credits), bringing your total to 12.5 credits.
Yes. Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation is Block II of the full Certificate in Employee Benefits Law program. You can take it as a standalone 1-day program, or combine it with Retirement Plans (Block I) and Welfare Benefits Plan Issues (Block III) to earn the full certificate.
Absolutely. The program covers litigation strategy, administrative record building, standards of review, and the procedural advantages plan administrators have in ERISA litigation. The pre-program consultation is the perfect time to share your situation (confidentially) so our team can point you to the most relevant content.
Yes. A significant portion covers the heightened standards for disability benefit claims, including the conflict of interest issues that arise when the claim administrator also pays benefits. You'll learn how to structure decisions and build records that survive judicial scrutiny.
Yes. Your enrollment includes all live instruction from practicing ERISA attorneys, complete program materials, 6.5 continuing education credits, pre-program consultation, 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions, $1,588 value), permanent access to updated resources, and alumni benefits for all future programs. The only additional cost would be travel and lodging if you choose in-person format.
Yes. Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation (Block II) counts toward the full certificate. You can complete the remaining blocks—Retirement Plans (Block I) and Welfare Benefits Plan Issues (Block III)—at any future session to earn the complete Certificate in Employee Benefits Law.

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