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CWCI Announces Its 27th Annual California Workers' Comp Case Law Update Program

      Oakland, CA - The California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) has announced that it will conduct its 27^th annual California Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update as a live, online broadcast on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.  The program, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will examine how recent trends in decisional law are reshaping California workers’ compensation and discuss negotiation and defense strategies for attorneys, claims personnel, and hearing reps.

      This is the 27^th year that CWCI has conducted the case law seminar, which will be presented by a panel of legal experts from Northern and Southern California and moderated by CWCI Senior VP of Claims and General Counsel Sara Widener-Brightwell, who is overseeing development of the program.  Ms. Widener-Brightwell notes, “This year’s panel of speakers will once again include seasoned defense attorneys Richard Jacobsmeyer, James W. Jones, and Randy Pollak and veteran applicants’ attorney Lisa Ivancich.  This unique panel will provide real-world, practical insight from both sides of the courtroom, allowing attendees to gain a better understanding of how to use case law to effectively manage, negotiate, and defend claims, and what to expect from opposing counsel.”  In addition to providing updates on recent decisions, the speakers will identify issues related to recent statutory and regulatory changes, examine old case law to see what still applies, and offer workers’ compensation claims and legal professionals a fresh look at the impact of case law.  

      The live-stream program will utilize a full audio-visual presentation to provide important case details and factual backgrounds, and other highlights for every case on the agenda.  One week prior to the session, seminar registrants will be sent a link to the complete electronic version of the course materials (including hyperlinks to the actual decisions) that can be downloaded to a laptop or printed out in advance. 

      Tuition for CWCI’s 2025 Case Law Seminar is $399, with a $100 discount available to CWCI member company employees.  CWCI has received certification to offer 5.0 hours of MCLE credits (including 5.0 hours of specialization credits in Workers’ Compensation) from the State Bar of California for this program.  In addition, CWCI will provide registered attendees with certificates of attendance upon completion of the program for submission to the Association of Hearing Representatives of California and for verification of hours to apply toward the California Department of Insurance workers’ compensation claims adjuster certification requirements.  Attendees must be fully registered at least two days prior to the session to receive MCLE/CE credits and participation by the broadcast participants will be tracked electronically for compliance.

      To register online or to download the seminar flyer, click here, or call Mel Long at CWCI, 510-251-9470.      

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