Total Credits: 6.5 MCLE, 2.0 Ethics, 1.0 Elimination of Bias
Click HERE to view or download the brochure.
Moderator: Joseph R. Ebbert, Mullins & McMillan, P.A., Overland Park, KS
8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration
8:30 – 9:20 AM | Update from the Division
A review of current administrative and adjudicatory procedures and practices . This discussion will include consideration of the differing practices and customs of each adjudication office.
Speakers: Hon. Mark S. Siedlik, ALJ, Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation, Kansas City and Hon. Ryan S. Asbridge, ALJ, Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation, St. Joseph
9:20 – 10:10 AM | On Issues of Bias, Diversity, Inclusion, & Cultural Competency (pre-recorded)
A comparison of Missouri Rule 4-8.4(g) and the ABA Model Rule 8.4(g) & COMMENT [4] of both and the implications for their differences, and an overview of general explicit or implicit bias, diversity, inclusion, or cultural competency awareness issues and resources.
Speaker: Christian A. Stiegemeyer, The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company, St. Louis
10:10 – 10:20 AM | Break
10:20 – 11:35 AM | Case Law Update
Speakers: Kevin M. Johnson, Wallace Saunders, Overland Park, KS, William G. Manson, Adler & Manson, Kansas City and Alexandra E. Wilson, Missouri Attorney General's Office, Kansas City
11:35 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | on your own
1:00 – 1:50 PM | How to Conduct a Psych IME
This session will give a behind the scenes look at the psych IME process. The doctors will walk you through the evaluation process including testing, and the importance of each step. The session will conclude with an open question and answer session.
Speaker: Dr. Guillermo R. Ibarra, MD, Lenexa, KS
1:50 – 2:40 PM | Post Cosby & 2014 PTD Amendment
This session will address the impact on workers’ compensation procedure and ligation involving the Second Injury Fund in the aftermath of the 2014 Amendments and the recent Cosby v. Treasurer Missouri Supreme Court decision.
Speaker: Kimberley C. Fournier, Missouri Attorney General's Office, Kansas City
2:40 – 2:50 PM | Break
2:50 – 3:40 PM | A Conversation with Deputy Chief Disciplinary Counsel: Relevant Issues in Legal Ethics
An analysis and review of recent decisions and relevant issues in Legal Ethics facing the practitioner from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Speaker: TBA, Representative from the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
3:40 PM | Adjourn
Harshdeep (Harsh) Bhasin joined the Workers’ Compensation modernization program as a Project Director in October of 2019. Mr. Bhasin has over 13 years of IT experience, of which eight years has been focused on managing multiple large and complex state government projects. Harsh has provided Program/Project Management and Project Delivery services to various State of Missouri agencies, State of Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. He is passionate about the process improvement, culture of technological innovation, and how the government can serve its citizens better.
Mr. Bhasin is a graduate of Minnesota State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology. He then earned his Master’s degree in Software Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Bhasin holds several certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB), and Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Project Manager (Agile Practitioner.) Harsh is a big proponent of STEM education and sits on local and national universities’ Science, Engineering, and Technology Department Advisory boards to guide future education curriculum for workforce development.
Harsh is a proud resident of Jefferson City from the past nine years. When he is not working, he enjoys spending valuable time with his wife and son and reading Financial & Technical books/magazines.
Joe Ebbert’s practice is focused primarily on defense of Workers' Compensation claims in both Kansas and Missouri. Joe has appeared at all levels of Workers’ Compensation in Kansas and Missouri. Joe is also a frequent speaker and participant at continuing legal education seminars on Workers’ Compensation issues. He has recently served as Chair of the Missouri Bar Workers' Compensation Law Committee from 2013 until 2016 and is a member of the MoBar’s Worker’s Compensation CLE sub-committee.
Kim Fournier graduated in 1995 with her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She began her career as the law clerk for the Honorable Jack Gant in the Jackson County Circuit Court, Division 5. She then practiced as the eminent domain attorney for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Kim joined the Missouri Attorney General's Office, Labor Division in 2001. She was named Unit Leader for the Kansas City Labor Division in 2008. In December 2014 Kim was named the Deputy Chief of the Labor Division Kim is very active in the legal community currently and has served on numerous other Bar, school district, church and civic boards and committees.
Judge Fowler graduated from U.M.K.C. School of Law in 1985. She started her legal career with the Municipal Court Defense Unit of Legal Aid of Western Missouri for two years, then worked as an associate for various general practice law firms until 1990 when she started her own solo practice. She practiced Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury and Social Security Disability until 2000 when she was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge for the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Mark Siedlik, an Administrative Law Judge for the Kansas City/St. Joseph Division of Workers’ Compensation Department of Labor, in the State of Missouri. Mr. Siedlik was appointed in 1990 and has in the past served as the Chief Administrative Law Judge in St. Louis and Kansas City Divisions.
Mr. Siedlik has previously worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri and has represented the state in the appellate and Supreme Court of Missouri as well as having appeared in Federal Court on behalf of the State of Missouri.
Mr. Siedlik attended the University of Nebraska/Omaha and graduated on 1979 with a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration. My Jiedlik received a Master of Economics in 1982 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska/Lincoln in 1983.
Mr. Siedlik is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Kansas City, Missouri Bar Association and is a Fellow in the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, having been inducted in 2011. Mr. Siedlik is a frequent speaker at the continuing legal educations seminars throughout the state.
Christian A. Stiegemeyer is the Director of Risk Management for The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Company where he helps lawyers arrive at practical solutions to a wide variety of ethical and legal malpractice issues. He received his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law.