The annual workers' compensation seminar features staples like case law and legislative updates
as well as topics on ethics, medical subjects, AI and updates from the ICA.
Day 1 - Wednesday, October 7, 2026
| Lunch 11:30 - 12:30 p.m. |
|
| Breaks 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. | |
| 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Case Law/Legislative Update |
| Legislative: Mark Kendall, CopperPoint Insurance Companies | |
| Laura Clymer, Clymer Legal PLLC |
|
| Case Law: David Lundmark, Lundmark, Barberich, LaMont & Puig, PC | |
| Nathan Zollinger, Snow, Carpio & Weekley, PLLC | |
| 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | ALJ Update |
| Hon. C. Andrew Campbell, ICA - ALJ Division | |
| Additional faculty TBA | |
| 2:45 – 3:30p.m. | Nerve Simulators & How They're Used |
| Dr. Abhishiek Sharma, Cushing Neurosurgery & Spine | |
| 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions |
| Judicial Breakout: Hon. Paula Eaton, Industrial Commission of Arizona | |
| Defense Breakout: Kirk Barberich, Lundmark, Barberich, LaMont & Puig, PC | |
| Claimant's Breakout: Laura Clymer, Clymer Legal PLLC |
Total Hours: 4 CLE hours. Specialization: 4 Workers' Comp, 1 Personal Injury
Day 2 - Thursday, October 8, 2026
| Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | |
| Breaks 10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. | |
| Lunch 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Overview of Modern Orthopedic Spine Care |
| Dr. Nima Salari, Desert Institute for Spine Care | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | AI Extravaganza |
| 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. AI Ethical Concerns | |
| Jim Ko, Ko IP & AI Law PLLC | |
| Michelle Lopez, Welker & Pauole PLC | |
| 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Ethical Use of AI | |
| Pat Sallen, Ethics at Law PLLC | |
| 11:15 - 12:15 p.m. AI in Practice | |
| Professor Ann Ching, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University | |
| 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch – either on your own or section lunch (separated ticketed event) |
| 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Court of Appeals Panel |
| Hon. Peter Eckerstrom, Arizona Court of Appeals - Division Two | |
| Hon. Veronika Fabian, Arizona Court of Appeals - Division One | |
| 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. | IME/Provocative Testing |
| Dr. Amit Sahasrabudhe, Orthopedic Surgeon | |
| 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. | MSA's/New Rules |
| John Cattie, Cattie & Gonzalez |
Total Hours: 7.25 CLE hours, including 2 Ethics. Specialization: 7.25 Workers' Comp, 2 Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation
Day 3 - Friday, October 9, 2026
| Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | |
| Break 10:00 a.m. | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Toxicology Exposures Related to WC Cases |
| Dr. Daniel Brooks, Medical Director, Banner Poison and Drug Information Center and the Outpatient Toxicology Clinic - University Medical Center Phoenix | |
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | Winding Down Your Practice & Succession Planning |
| Jennifer Fite, Lawyer Assistance Program Director, State Bar of Arizona | |
| 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. | ICA Update |
| Gaetano Testini, Director, Industrial Commission of Arizona | |
| Sophia Cox, Industrial Commission of Arizona | |
| Dennis Kavanaugh, Chairman/Commissioner, Industrial Commission of Arizona | |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Current State of Law regarding LECs and Tools Used by Vocational Experts |
| Dennis Kurth, Arizona Injury Law Group PLLC | |
| K. Casey Kurth, Jardine Baker Hickman & Houston PLLC | |
| Erin Welsh, EMW Vocational Consulting, LLC |
Total Hours: 3.75 CLE hours, including 1 Ethics. Specialization: 3.75 Workers' Comp
Want to attend all three days? Register for all three days and save $45!
Conference Co-Chairs
Linnette Flanigan, Welker & Pauole PLC
Javier Grajeda, Grajeda Weinstein
Need a room?
Conference registration is separate from hotel accommodations. Hotel reservations can be made online at: State Bar of Arizona Booking Link
The group rate discount ends September 14th or when the room block is full, whichever comes first.
The State Bar negotiated rates of $189 + tax per night for single/double occupancy rooms. Additional charge of $10 per night for each additional occupant.
Overnight Parking: Parking is complementary at Little America.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be in writing and sent via email registrations@staff.azbar.org and include the word “Cancel” in the subject line. Cancellations must be submitted by 11:59 pm on September 21, 2026. You may choose to receive (1) a voucher in the amount of 100% of the seminar fee paid, good at most upcoming State Bar of Arizona CLE seminars; OR (2) a refund of the seminar fee paid, minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds or vouchers will be given for cancellations made after 11:59 PM on September 21, 2026.
Last-minute registrations will only be accepted by telephone up until 48 hours prior to the program.
Policies may change at any time, to view the most recent seminar policies, including cancellation information visit us online at: www.azbar.org/cle.
To make accommodations for disabilities or diet restrictions, please call 520-623-9944
Want to be a sponsor?
Contact Sam.Tisdale@staff.azbar.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for this conference and other great AZCLE® programs.