1st Annual Workers’ Compensation Seminar

The New York State Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Division proudly presents its 1st Annual Educational Seminar, a comprehensive two-day program designed to provide practitioners with timely updates, practical guidance, and in-depth analysis of critical issues shaping New York workers’ compensation law.

Bringing together leading attorneys, judges, Workers’ Compensation Board representatives, labor leaders, and industry professionals, this seminar offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who shape and interpret the law. Attendees will gain valuable insights into emerging trends, litigation strategies, case law developments, settlement practices, medical and permanency issues, third-party claims, appellate practice, and professionalism in workers’ compensation proceedings.

Highlights include panels on current statewide developments, effective hearing protocol, Section 32 settlements, medical causation, labor market attachment, appellate practice before the Third Department, and a “View from the Bench” featuring distinguished adjudicators. The program also includes meaningful networking opportunities and a scholarship presentation recognizing the important work of Kids’ Chance of New York.

This transitional program is suitable for attorneys at all levels of experience — from newly admitted practitioners seeking foundational knowledge to seasoned professionals looking to refine strategies and stay current in a rapidly evolving practice area. Participants will earn 12.0 MCLE credits, including credits in Areas of Professional Practice and Skills.

Join colleagues from across New York State for this inaugural event and become part of what promises to be a premier annual gathering for the workers’ compensation bar.

This program is open to attorneys and non-attorneys. Non-attorneys are welcome to attend but are not eligible to receive CLE credit for their participation.

View Agenda Here 

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this event? Please click here to view our sponsorship opportunities!

Lodging in Albany

There are several hotel options near the New York State Bar Association at 1 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207. Please reach out to the hotels directly to inquire about room availability and rates. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown

25 Chapel Street, Albany, New York 12210

Please note: This hotel is a 6-minute walk from the Bar Center and Albany County Courthouse but be aware that there is a hill that you will need to navigate (uphill from the hotel). Also please note that the cost to park is $18 per night.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown Albany

74 State Street, Albany, New York 12207

This hotel is a 10-minute walk to the Bar Center. Please note that there is not onsite parking at this hotel. There is limited metered street parking in front of the building and a paid garage located within walking distance. Parking is free from 5pm – 8am and free on the weekends. The Hudson-Green Parking Garage is 1.5 blocks behind the hotel.

Hilton Albany

40 Lodge Street, Albany, New York 12207

Please be aware that, while this hotel is conveniently located within a short walking distance from the Bar Center, there is a hill that you’ll need to navigate (uphill from the hotel).

The Renaissance Albany Hotel

144 State Street, Albany, New York

This hotel is a 5-10 minute walk from the Bar Center and does not require navigating hills.

Holiday Inn Express Albany – Downtown, an IHG Hotel

300 Broadway, Albany, New York 12207

(518) 434-4111

Hyatt Place Albany

82 Montgomery Street, Albany, New York 12207

(518)-977-7778

View map of downtown Albany 

This program is sponsored by the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section 

Faculty

Ronald Balter, Esq., Vecchione Vecchione & Cano LLP, Garden City, NY

F. Daniel Bowers, Esq., Hamberger & Weiss LLP, Buffalo, NY

Dan Bronk, Esq., Bronk & Somers, P.C., Rochester, NY

Joe Canovas, Esq., Assistant to the President, Special Counsel, NYS AFL-CIO, New York, NY

Jason Carlton, Esq., Gitto & Niefer LLP, Binghamton, NY

Joe Cavalcante, Ombudsman/Advocate for Injured Workers , New York State Workers Compensation Board, Albany, NY

Hon. Justin O. Corcoran, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, Albany, NY

Melissa A. Day, Esq., The Law Offices of Melissa A. Day, PLLC, Amherst, NY

Alex C. Dell, Esq., Law Firm of Alex Dell, PLLC, Albany, New York

Dan Falge, Esq., Cohen Vaughan, Syracuse, NY

Matthew R. Mead, Stockton, Barker & Mead, LLP, Troy, NY

Sean F. Nicolette, Esq., Law Firm of Alex Dell, PLLC, Albany, NY

Bethany Nicoletti, Esq., Meggesto, Crossett & Valerino, LLP, Syracuse, NY

Ed Nicosia, Esq., Nicosia Law, P.C., Rochester, NY

Mary Ellen O’Connor, Esq., O’Connor Law, PLLC, Larchmont, NY

Anne O’Connell Zavelo, Esq., O’Connell Zavelo LLC, Brooklyn, NY

Erica Putnam-Little, Esq., Managing Attorney, New Yor State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, Albany, NY

Brendan Quinn, Esq., Buckley Mendleson Criscione & Quinn, P.C., Albany, NY

Steven M. Scotti, Esq., Executive Director, New York State Workers Compensation Board, Schenectady, NY

John H. Snyder, Esq., Gitto & Niefer, New Hartford, NY

Anthony Tomaselli, Advocate for Business, New York State Workers Compensation Board, Albany, NY

Stacee Vaikness, Esq., Jones Jones, LLP, New York, NY

Crystle Watts, Esq., Harding Mazzotti, LLP, Albany, New York

David P. Wehner, Esq., Principal, DW Advisors, LLC, Former Chairman, New York State Workers Compensation Board, Albany, NY

David Wertheim, Esq., Managing Director, Regulatory Affairs, Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc., Albany, NY

Registration, Cancellation and Refunds

NYSBA Member: $295

Non NYSBA Member: $625

Registration includes two days of CLE programming, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, networking breaks and a networking cocktail reception. 

Full refunds available through September 9, 2026

50% refunds available through October 7, 2026

No refunds after October 7, 2026