Professors Deborah Ahrens and Andrew Siegel will present on key cases the U.S. Supreme Court decided last term and will preview what to expect in the year ahead.  Attendees will learn about new precedent that may impact their practices and will be informed about cases and issues the Supreme Court is likely to grapple with in the new term.

Speakers:
Professor Deborah Ahrens, Seattle University School of Law
Professor Andrew Siegel, Seattle University School of Law

Location:
Nakamura Courthouse, 5th floor courtroom

In-person and remote attendance available.

The Annual Bench-Bar CLE on Social Security Appeals Practice
in the Western District of Washington

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

CLE program, 1:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Presented by the Social Security Disability Bench Bar Committee, in partnership with the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington

U.S. Courthouse, Seattle, 19th Floor Conference Room and via Zoom

3.5 CLE credits PENDING

1:00 p.m. - Welcome from the Western District of Washington
U.S. Chief Judge David G. Estudillo

1:10 p.m. - View from bench – 2026 SSA Developments
SSA Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge Kidd

1:50 p.m. - Case Law Update
Amy Gilbrough, Douglas, Drachler, McKee & Gilbrough
Attorney, Office of General Counsel

2:40 p.m. - 15 Minute Break

2:55 p.m. - View from the Bench, Winning Strategies

Moderator: Rebecca Miller, DDMG
U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa Fricke
Judicial Law Clerk, Nicole Demas
Judicial Law Clerk, Jared Church

3:40 p.m. - Questions for the Panel

3:55 p.m - Using AI Responsibly
Matt Jedreski, Attorney, Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP

Please join us for the annual CLE Seminar sponsored by the Western District of Washington’s Social Security Disability Bench Bar Committee. This year’s program will be hosted by the Hon. Tana Lin, District Judge, and the Hon. Grady J. Leupold, U.S. Magistrate Judge – Co-Chairs of the Western District of Washington Bench-Bar Committee on Social Security Disability Appeals. This CLE is planned and produced in partnership with the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington.

Questions? Please contact Leanne Martinez at LeanneM@ddmglaw.com

WINTER CLE PROGRAM

Please join us for an afternoon of dynamic CLE programming. This year's CLE program will take place at the Westin Seattle, the same venue as the Annual Dinner. CLICK HERE to register for the dinner.

Parking:
Parking is available at the hotel and nearby ramps at posted rates.

CLE Credits:
3.75 Credits applied for in Washington

Attendance:
In Person - Westin Seattle
Remote via Zoom (you will receive the link as we get closer to the date)

AGENDA

1:00pm-2:30pm
Ethical Considerations of Problem-Solving Courts
(1.5 Ethics CLE applied for in Washington) 

Panelists:
Kelly Barrett, National Federal Defender Organization
Judge Stephan Underhill, Senior U.S. District Judge for the District of Connecticut
Dan Varley, Yale University 

2:45pm-3:30pm
Consenting + Settlement Conferences
(.75 Law & Legal CLE applied for in Washington) 

Panelists:
Judge Brian A. Tsuchida, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Washington
Judge Michelle L. Peterson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Washington

3:30pm-5:00pm
Attorney General-led Litigation in Federal Court
(1.5 Law & Legal CLE applied for in Washington) 

Panelist:
Lauryn Fraas, Washington State Office of the Attorney General

We are honored to welcome Judge David F. Levi as our featured speaker. Judge Levi is the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, former President and current Chair of the Council of the American Law Institute, the nation’s leading independent organization devoted to clarifying and improving American law, founding director of Duke Law School’s Bolch Judicial Institute, and former Dean of Duke Law School. Earlier this year, he received the 2026 Susan and Carl Bolch Jr. Prize for the Rule of Law, recognizing his extraordinary career devoted to strengthening the judiciary and the institutions that sustain our system of justice.

Judge Levi will be joined by Judge Margaret McKeown for a fireside conversation focused on judicial independence, integrity, civility, and public confidence in our courts.

Schedule:
Reception | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Plated Dinner | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Parking:
Valet parking is available at the venue at posted rates. Additional ramp parking is available in several nearby buildings at posted rates.

Table Sponsorships are available. Contact nicole@fba-wdwash.org for information.