Ryan L. Woody
Ryan specializes in complex civil litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants and is nationally recognized as a champion in the field. He represents clients in federal courts and arbitration forums throughout the United States, providing strategic and results-oriented advocacy in high-stakes litigation. His services span from initial investigations through litigation and appeals, including arbitration proceedings.
His diverse client portfolio includes:
- Insurance Companies: Major carriers and administrators seeking strategic defense against high-value claims and navigating complex regulatory environments
- Self-Funded Health Plans and TPAs: ERISA plan sponsors and TPAs requiring experienced counsel for critical disputes beyond their internal capabilities sophisticated reimbursement strategies and compliance guidance.
- Self-Insured Corporations: Companies facing catastrophic loss incidents, and complex liability matters.
Ryan has developed exceptional capabilities across multiple challenging practice areas:
- Catastrophic Loss Management & Response: Rapid deployment to accident sites, coordinating investigations with subject matter experts, preserving evidence, and building strategic positions from day one.
- Large Loss Litigation: Masterful handling of complex traumatic injury, wrongful death, and large-scale property damage cases, delivering favorable outcomes in seemingly indefensible scenarios
- ERISA & Medicare Excellence: Nationally recognized authority on health plan disputes, helping clients navigate the complex litigation.
- Appellate Advocacy: Sophisticated brief writing and oral argument skills that have established precedent-setting decisions across multiple federal circuits
- Strategic Settlement Negotiation: Proven ability to resolve high-stakes disputes efficiently, often achieving outcomes well below anticipated exposure
Ryan’s practice seamlessly blends intellectual rigor with practical problem-solving, legal precision with meaningful purpose, consistently delivering results that exceed client expectations in high-stakes matters. Ryan stands apart through his methodical yet creative approach to complex litigation:
- Translating Complexity Into Clarity: Renowned for distilling intricate legal and technical concepts into compelling narratives that resonate with judges and juries
- Business-Minded Counsel: Providing advice that balances legal strategy with commercial realities, consistently delivering ROI that justifies his engagement
- Relationship-Driven Practice: Building long-term client partnerships based on transparent communication, accessibility, and unwavering advocacy
- Industry Immersion: Developing deep understanding of clients’ businesses and industries to provide context-aware legal strategies that address both immediate concerns and long-term implications
- Technology Integration: Leveraging cutting-edge technology, AI-assisted document analysis, and advanced visualization tools to strengthen case presentations
Ryan's Background
Education
- J.D., Marquette University Law School
- B.S., International Business, German, Bradley University
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court of Colorado
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court of Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court of North Dakota
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court of Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court of Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court of Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
Pro Hac Vice Admissions
Approved to practice pro hac vice in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, the U.S. District Court Northern District of Alabama, the U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas, the U.S. District Court Northern District of California, U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. District Court District of Hawaii, U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa, U.S. District Court District of Kansas, the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, the U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, the U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, the U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi, U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, the U.S. District Court District of New Mexico, the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and the U.S. District Court District of Wyoming.
Memberships
- Wisconsin Bar Association
- National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP)
- Claims Litigation Management (CLM)
- Subrogation Healthcare Alliance (SHA)
- Self-Insurance Institute of America (SIIA)
Honors & Awards
- 2008 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® “Rising Star”
- 2012 Leading Lawyer by Milwaukee Magazine
Reported Decisions
- Goldtooth v. W. Sugar Coop., No. 8:20CV113, 2024 WL 5265285 (D. Neb. Dec. 12, 2024) (granting of partial summary judgment) (Represented the workers’ compensation carrier as a co-plaintiff. Case went to trial and settled before a verdict.)
- Shafer v. Zimmerman Transfer, Inc., 70 F.4th 471 (8th Cir. 2023), 2021 WL 1851032 (S.D. Iowa May 5, 2021), 2021 WL 805529 (S.D. Iowa Mar. 3, 2021) (Achieved complete dismissal of ERISA claims against Plan’s subrogation agent and dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty and ERISA contribution claims against the Plan’s third party administrator. Affirmed on appeal.)
- Hogan v. Fairchild Equip. Emp. Benefit Plan, 670 F. Supp. 3d 687 (E.D. Wis. 2023) (successful defense of administrator over exclusion for illegal drugs.)
- Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Big Y Foods, Inc., 52 F.4th 66 (2d Cir. 2022) (drafted amicus brief for America’s Health Insurance Plans in successful appeal involving Medicare Secondary Payer Act litigation.)
- Aaron v. Aetna, No. 1:18-CV-631, 2022 WL 2834767 (S.D. Ohio July 19, 2022) (achieved dismissal of claims administrator who allegedly improperly approved wrongful spinal surgeries.)
- Hawkins v. Sw. Kansas Co-op Serv., 484 P.3d 236 (Kan. 2021) (Filed amicus brief with the Kansas Supreme Court that ultimately achieved reversal of a lower court decision limiting workers’ compensation subrogation lien and credit against a third-party recovery based on a subsequent finding of employer fault.)
- Jahner v. Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., 2021 WL 973343 (D.S.D. Mar. 15, 2021) (Successful motion to compel tire manufacturer in a workers’ compensation subrogation case to produce a broad spectrum of confidential information related to a host of substantial similar tires.)
- Applegate-Bader Farm v. Wisconsin Dept of Revenue, 2018 WL 2943835 (Wis. Cir. Ct. 2018) (Court declared Wis. Adm. Code. § Tax 18.05(1)(d) [pertaining to the classification of certain agricultural lands] to be invalid as a result of Department’s failure to comply with proper rule-making procedures.)
- Weyant v. Phia Grp. LLC, 823 F. App’x 51 (2d Cir. 2020) (Handled appeal over whether a Plan participant in a NY state health Plan must exhaust administrative remedies before suing agents of plan over alleged subrogation requirement.)(subsequently remanded and achieved denial of plaintiff’s class certification motion.)
- Jahner v. Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc., 2020 WL 4932832 (D.S.D. Aug. 24, 2020) (In a workers’ compensation subrogation action, defeated a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction over South Korean parent company and Vietnamese manufacturing subsidiary under an alter-ego theory.)
- Sols. Shared Servs. v. Jimenez, 452 F. Supp. 3d 541 (W.D. Tex. 2020) (Won a dismissal of RICO claims against health Plan’s subrogation agent due to lack of concrete RICO injury.)
- Reg’l Med. Ctr. of San Jose v. WH Administrators, Inc., 795 F. App’x 524 (9th Cir. 2020) (Argued ERISA appeal on behalf of subrogation agent and other Plan representatives regarding whether Plan’s anti-assignment clause barred hospital’s action.)
- Malone v. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 393 F. Supp. 3d 721 (N.D. Ohio 2019), vacated and remanded, 965 F.3d 499 (6th Cir. 2020) (defense of foreign table saw manufacturer.)
- It’s Greek to Me, Inc. v. Fisher, 2018 WL 953111 (D. Kan. Feb. 20, 2018) (First district court within the 10th Circuit to hold that attorney is a proper defendant for purposes of an ERISA 502(a)(3) equitable lien by agreement, distinguishing the 8th Circuit’s Goding decision.)
- Vestal v. First Recovery Grp., LLC, 292 F.Supp.3d 1304 (M.D. Fla. 2018) (Court held post-amendment MTPLA version applied to Medicaid enrollee’s claims and also achieved dismissal of all claims against subrogation vendor.)
- Mem’l Hermann Health Sys. v. Pennwell Corp. Med. & Vision Plan, 2017 WL 6561165 (S.D. Tex. Dec. 22, 2017) (Achieved dismissal of medical provider’s derivative ERISA claims based on applicable anti-assignment provision in the ERISA benefit plan.)
- Reg’l Med. Ctr. of San Jose v. WH Administrators, Inc., 2017 WL 6513441 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2017) (Successful defense of medical providers ERISA claims based on anti-assignment provisions in the applicable plan document.)
- Magallan v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 2017 WL 4158767 (N.D. Okla. Sept. 18, 2017), 2017 WL 4012964 (N.D. Okla. Sept. 12, 2017) (Defense of North Dakota employer from claims for UM coverage, bad faith and prosecution of workers’ compensation subrogation claim).
- Henrikson v. Choice Prod. USA, LLC, 2017 WL 449591 (D. Minn. Feb. 2, 2017) (Achieved dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims under the Affordable Care Act that a self-funded plan must cover Essential Health Benefits).
- Amy’s Kitchen, Inc. v. Campbell, 2017 WL 264062 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 20, 2017) (Decision on Motion to Dismiss counterclaim under ERISA 502(c) seeking statutory penalties against plan administrator for allegedly failing to provide certain documents).
- HNI Corp. v. Hess, 2017 WL 412994 (M.D. Pa. Jan. 31, 2017) (Post-Montanile equitable lien by agreement action under ERISA 502(a)(3) allowing judgment against plan member who absconded with the settlement funds).
- Providence Health & Servs.-Oregon v. Boulder Admin. Servs. Inc, 2016 WL 8222213 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 11, 2016) (Successful motion to enforce arbitration provision involving alleged underpayment claim. Subsequently resulted in an Arbitration trial in Portland, Oregon).
- Humana Med. Plan, Inc. v. W. Heritage Ins. Co., 832 F.3d 1229 (11th Cir. Aug. 8, 2016) (Court found that Medicare Advantage Organization had private right of action under Medicare Secondary Payer law) (Filed amicus brief on behalf of America’s Health Insurance Plans in support of Humana).
- Kunz v. Liebovich Bros., 2016 WL 3093045 (N. D. Ill. May 31, 2016) (Achieved dismissal of ERISA 502(a)(1)(B) claim against claims administrator under FRCP 12(b)(6) based upon the rationale found in Larson v. United Healthcare Ins. Co.)
- Dries v. OneBeacon Am. Ins. Co., 2016 WL 755655 (W.D. Wis. Feb. 25, 2016) (Successfully sought dismissal under Rule 12(b)(3) to enforce arbitration provision in occupational accident policy pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act).
- Nat’l Union Fire Co. of Pittsburgh, PA. v. Toland, 164 F.Supp.3d 1330 (D. Wyo. Feb. 17, 2016) (Subrogation suit filed on behalf of National Union after the parties settled around and successfully argued that Pennsylvania’s anti-subrogation law did not apply to motor vehicle accident despite contractual choice-of-law provision).
- Humana, Inc. v. Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc., 133 F. Supp. 3d 1068 (W.D. Tenn. Sept. 25, 2015) (Court adopted Avandia finding both a private cause of action under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and also a federal Right-to-Charge action).
- Collins v. Wellcare Healthcare Plans, Inc., 73 F.Supp.3d 653 (E.D. La. Dec. 16, 2014) (Court found private cause of action for Medicare Advantage Organization against enrollee within the Medicare Secondary Payer Act).
- Hechter v. Nationwide Fire Ins. Co., 2015 WL 1757542 (S.D. Ohio, Apr. 17, 2015) (Represented ERISA plan administrator in successful removal of multi-defendant litigation under separate and independent claim removal. Successfully settled and extricated the administrator resulting in this decision on removal and remand).
- Brookwood Med. Ctr. v. Life Time Fitness, Inc., 2015 WL 10677459 (N.D. Ala. Jan. 16, 2015) (Representing ERISA Plan and third party administrator against seven figure claim for medical expenses. Opinion granting F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.)
- Auto-Owners Ins. Co. v. Cover-All of Wisconsin, LLC, 2014 WL 2865160 (W.D. Wis., June 24, 2014) (Decision on motion for judgment on the pleadings) (representing judgment creditor in corporate successor liability action).
- Wausau Supply Co. v. Murphy, 2014 WL 2565555 (W.D. Wis. June 6, 2014) (decision on motion to dismiss and motion to remand); 2014 WL 4717068 (W.D. Wis. Sept. 22, 2014) (Decision on motion for summary judgment) (representing ERISA fiduciary in reimbursement action under § 502(a)(3)).
- Decker v. Nw. Envtl. Def. Ctr., 133 S. Ct. 1326, 185 L. Ed. 2d 447 (2013) (Filed Amicus Curiae brief for the Ruffed Grouse Society in favor of reversal arguing that natural runoff from logging roads do not require NPDES permits).
- Curran v. Germes, 2012 WL 12525505 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 11, 2012) (Represented OneBeacon Insurance and successfully argued for application of Pennsylvania law and defeated both the made-whole and common fund defenses).
- Driesen v. Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp., 2011 WL 573610 (N.D. Iowa, Feb. 14, 2011) (Successfully argued that Federal Railroad Safety Act preemption did not apply to bar plaintiff’s lack of warning claims).
- Kolbe & Kolbe Health & Welfare Benefit Plan v. Med. Coll. of Wis., Inc., 657 F.3d 496 (7th Cir. 2011) (Represented Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters as Amicus Curiae in successfully reversing the district court on whether an ERISA Plan could assert state law breach of contract claims against providers).
- Bd. of Trustees of Rio Grande Employees Hosp. Ass’n v. Amundson, (D. Colo., Jan. 10, 2011) (Representation of self-funded employee benefit Plan seeking declaratory judgment action under ERISA § 502(a)(3) to enforce subrogation and workers’ comp exclusion to Plan’s recovery).
- Peninsula Gaming Co., LLC v. Rabalais, 2011 WL 938991 (N.D. Iowa, Mar. 16, 2011) (Achieved a complete recovery of self-funded ERISA Plan’s subrogation claim including an award of Attorney Fees, Costs, Pre- and Post-Judgment interest).
- Diocese of Superior v. Swan & Associates, Inc., 2010 WL 2178879 (Wis. Ct. App. 2010) (Successfully enforcing a Georgia choice-of-law provision in an insurance contract issued to a Minnesota insured based upon a Wisconsin claim).
- Sierra Club v. Kimbell, 623 F.3d 549 (8th Cir. 2010) (Represented Ruffed Grouse Society in a successful defense of the newly revised Forest Plan for the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota under NEPA).
- Diamond Crystal Brands, Inc. v. Wallace, 531 F.Supp.2d 1366 (N.D. Ga. 2008), on recons., 563 F.Supp.2d 1349, 2008 WL 2608158 (N.D. Ga., May 15, 2008); and 2010 WL 1525536 (N.D. Ga., Feb. 11, 2010) (Successfully represented an ERISA fiduciary in a reimbursement action to recover proceeds from proceeds wrongfully allocated to a wrongful death beneficiary in a state tort recovery).
- PJ Ventures, Inc. v. Forest County, 2010 WL 3119931 (Wis. Ct. App., August 10, 2010) (Represented Wisconsin County Forest Association in the defense of Forest County’s ownership of a snowmobile bridge pursuant to the Wisconsin Snowmobile Trail Aid program).
- Manzey v. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2010 WL 3522460 (W.D. Ark., Aug. 4, 2010) and 2010 WL 3522458 (Sept. 2, 2010) (Successfully represented an ERISA Plan fiduciary in pursuing reimbursement from a tort settlement and obtaining Rule 11 sanctions against the plaintiff’s attorney for asserting frivolous defenses to the subrogation claim).
- Sierra Club, et. al v. Kimbell, et al., 595 F.Supp.2d 1021 (D. Minn. 2009) (Represented Ruffed Grouse Society as amicus party defending the Forest Service in an environmental challenge to the revised land management plan for the Superior National Forest under NEPA and NFMA).
- American Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. David Golke, et al., 319 Wis.2d 397, 768 N.W.2d 729 (Wis. 2009) (Court adopted the position of Amicus Curiae, NASP, and created new Wisconsin law for preservation of evidence and proper notice to potential defendants).
- Anderson v. Commerce Constr. Services, Inc., 531 F.3d 1190 (10th Cir. 2008) (Represented plaintiff in a construction accident raising issues of choice-of-law between Nebraska and Kansas).
Representative Cases
- Moeller v. Ford, 24-cv-5060 (D.S.D.) (Action against Ford Motor Company for multiple defects in F-150 SuperCab leading to ejection of occupant.)
- Crisostomo v. Starr Indemnity et al, 24-cv-994 (E.D. WI) (Defense of construction company following accident in construction zone)
- Brelove v. Bright Care, LLC 23CV5903 (Milwaukee County, WI) (defense of bus driver for residential living facility involving single vehicle accident while returning patient from dialysis).
- Baehman v. Johnson 20CV947 (Outagamie County, WI) (defense of insured under excess policy involving automobile accident that resulted in above the knee amputation)
- Gibson, Justin v. Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. et al 3:21-CV-00808 (W.D. Wis.) (representation workers’ compensation carrier in subrogation action involving a boom lift).
- Estate of Aaron J. Eagan et al vs. Christopher J. Reinke et al 2021CV000701 (Wis. Cir.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier involving death in street racing accident).
- Jose Cabrera et al v. The Chamberlain Group, Inc. et al 2021CV003039 (Wis. Cir.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier in subrogation action involving a fall from a lift platform)
- Sandra Lopez et al v. Travis P. Mayer et al 2020CV001755 (Wis. Cir.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier in motor vehicle accident)
- Zurich American Insurance Company v. Technicolor Videocassette of Michigan, Inc. 2:20-CV-02413 (W.D. Tenn.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier in warehouse accident involving leased employee)
- Kruse v. American Zurich Insurance Company, 2:20-CV-02145 (E.D. Pa.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier in defense against employee’s claim of bad faith handling of the lien).
- Goldtooth v. The Western Sugar Cooperative 8:20-CV-00113 (D. Neb.) (representation for workers’ compensation carrier in subrogation action involving construction accident where employee fell through a hole).
- Protective Insurance Company v. Larry Williams Trucking, LLC 4:18-CV-00415 (N.D. Okla.) (representation of workers’ compensation carrier in case involving choice of law between Oklahoma and Arkansas)
- Weyant v. INDECS, et al., 1:17-cv-08230-LGS (S.D.N.Y.) (Defense of purported class action for alleged deceptive acts, unfair claims and settlement practices and duty of good faith and fair dealing).
- Total Renal Care v. EBSO, 17-cv-04807-DSD-BRT (D. Minn.) (Defense of claims administrator from underpayment claim based on network agreement).
- Konen v. Starr Indemnity, 17cv658 (Dane County, WI) (Defense of direct action against excess carrier where insured’s employee was involved in a head on collision resulting in catastrophically injured plaintiff)
- Regional Medical Center of San Jose v. The Phia Group, et al. 5:17-cv-03357-EJD (N.D. Cal.) (Defense of consulting company for ERISA underpayment claim and claim for intentional interference with contractual relations).
- Memorial Hermann Health System v. Pennwell, 4:17-cv-02364 (S.D. Tex) (Defense of self-funded ERISA plan from alleged underpayment claim)
- Vestal v. First Recovery Group, 6:17-CV-1567-ORL-18-KRS (M.D. Fla.) (Defense of recovery vendor from alleged invalid subrogation claim under Florida’s Medicaid managed care program).
- Garcia v. First Recovery Group, D-820-CV-2016-00212 (Taos County, NM) (Defense of multiple “wrongful subrogation” claims asserted by plaintiff’s enrolled in Medicaid managed care).
- Martin v. Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, 2:17-cv-02195-DDC-KGS, (D. Kansas) (Defense and settlement of breach of contract and bad faith claims).
- Old Republic Life Insurance Company v. Michels Corp. and Minnkota Power Coop., 2:15-cv-00062-RRE-ARS (USDC, District of North Dakota) (Successful settlement of large loss occupational accident subrogation claim with severe crush injuries from unloading accident)
- Wisconsin v. Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, No. 14-792, 2015 WL 114128, (U.S. Apr. 20, 2015) (Filed Amicus Curiaebrief in support of cert on behalf of the Wisconsin County Forests Association, Gogebic County, MI, and Pine County, MN regarding tribal night hunting of deer in Wisconsin).
- Banner Health d/b/a North Colorado Medical Center v. Sapp Brothers Petroleum, Inc., et al., 2014 CV 300091 (Nov. 26, 2014 Weld County, Colo.) (Achieved summary judgment for ERISA Plan sued by out-of-state provider based on out-of-network claims).
- Frank Multerer, et al. v. Department of Revenue, 13-CV-380 (Dodge County, WI 2013) (Constitutional challenge to agency rule governing taxation of wetlands resulting in new rulemaking); 2016 WL 1558508, (Dodge County, WI April 11, 2016) (decision on subsequent challenge to the new rule)
- National Union Fire Ins. v. EMO Trans, et al., 12-CV-1258 (Adams County, CO, 2013) (Large loss Carmack shipping loss).
- In re: PFG Forex Metals Legal Account, LLC, 13-00203-pp (E.D. WI Bankr. 2013) (Representation of account holdings in action to quash subpoena seeking disclosure of contributors).
- UW Hosp., et al. v. Self-Insured Services Co., et al., 12-cv-31 (W.D. Wis. 2012) (Successfully achieved a complete dismissal of claims administrator following filing of 12(b)(6) motion).
- Pagan, Kevin v. Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc., et al., 10-00036 ACK-KSC, (D. Haw. 2010) (special appearance before Magistrate Judge Chang in Longshore subrogation action involving egress from a barge).
- Markel American Ins. Co. v. Skipper Bud’s of Illinois, 08 L 1009 (Il. Cir. 19th 2009) (Case involved a large loss maritime subrogation claim at an Illinois marina. Issues included hold harmless and indemnification in winter storage agreement and application of maritime law. The case resulted in a favorable settlement.).
- Szuta v. Kelbe Brothers Equipment, 2009 WL 6323758 (Wis. Cir. 2009) (Represented workers’ comp carrier in subrogation action against allegedly defective excavator resulting in $4,000,000 settlement).
- Alric K. Kuhaulua v. Grabber Pacific, Inc., et al., 08-1-0404-02 (Hawai’i 1st Cir. 2008) (Represented workers’ compensation carrier in subrogation claim arising from the construction accident involving a boom truck. Successfully arbitrated the case before Gerald Y. Sekiya in Honolulu).
- Morton v. Rosen’s Diversified, Inc. Group Benefit Plan, 08-cv-4976 (D. Minn. 2008) (Plaintiff brought a state action seeking benefits under a self-funded ERISA Plan. Suit was removed to federal court. Case was defended based upon theory that employer was entitled to offset for subrogation due to a prior tort settlement. Case settled favorably in employer’s favor including a termination of future benefits related to the accident.)
- Webcrafters, Inc. v. Martin, 08-cv-293 (W.D. Wis. 2008) (Case involved a reimbursement claim by a self-funded ERISA Plan against a member who failed to reimburse the Plan following a large state court settlement. Issues in the case included the Make-Whole and Common Fund Doctrines. Case resulted in a favorable settlement to the Plan.).
- Cherleen Puha, et. al. v. Hawaiian Telecom, Inc., et al. 09-1-0862 (Hawai’i 2nd Cir. 2008) (Represented workers’ comp carrier in wrongful death action arising out of low-hanging telephone wires on Maui).
- North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Comprehensive Major Medical Plan v. Barber, 07CV77 (W.D. Pa. 2007) (Case involved choice-of-law questions relating to a state funded benefit plan that sought reimbursement from an employee’s dependent’s state tort action. Case resulted in a favorable settlement for the health Plan).
- Stechschulte v. Gencor Industries, Inc., 2007 WL 4941846; Stechschulte v. Gencor Industries, Inc., 2007 WL 4919459 (Wis. Cir. 2007) (Representing plaintiff and workers’ compensation carrier in product liability action involving an asphalt batch plant).
- Trustees of the Texas Carpenters & Millwrights Health & Welfare Fund v. Sayyed, 06-cv-246 (W.D. Ok. 2006) (Self-Funded union welfare plan sought equitable relief under ERISA for reimbursement for medical benefits from a California state tort settlement. Court granted temporary restraining order and case settled shortly thereafter.)
- American Family Ins. Co. v. Michael Schneider and State Auto Ins. Co., 04-cv-93 (Wis. 2006.) (Successfully achieved a defense jury verdict against subrogation claim based on the affirmative defense of sudden unforeseen illness).
- Jeld-Wen Holding, Inc. v. Lane, et al., 06-C-387 (W.D. Wis. 2006) (Representing employer-fiduciary in ERISA reimbursement action against Plan member over alleged misallocation of settlement funds).
Published Works
- ERISA and Health Insurance Subrogation In All 50 States, Contributing Editor, National Treatise, Juris Publishing, Inc., New York, Updated Annually. ISBN: 978-1-57823-275-8, (Sixth Edition).
- Workers’ Compensation Subrogation In All 50 States, Contributing Editor, National Treatise, Juris Publishing, Inc., New York, Updated Annually. ISBN: 978-1-57823-363-2, (Seventh Edition).
- Hawaii Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Work Comp Subrogation, Claims Journal, March 28, 2022
- Forest Resources: The Year In Review, Author and Editor, American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy (2009-2013).
- American Family Ins. v. Golke Brothers: NASP To Appear As Amicus Curiae Before The Wisconsin Supreme Court in Spoliation Case, Article published in NASP Subrogator, Winter, 2009.
- Where’s the Luggage?, Article published in NASP Subrogator, Winter, 2005.
Speaking Engagements
- Your Case, the Appellate Record, and Beyond: Amicus Briefs, When to Involve Appellate Counsel, and Other Strategic Considerations for Litigation with Industry-Wide Implications – October 28, 2024 – Co-presented with Attorney Catherine Dowie at 2024 Annual NASP Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
- 2023 ERISA Litigation Compilation – May 2, 2024 – Co-presented with Attorney Nancy Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie on a webinar.
- Hot, Spicy, and Burnt! Understanding Restaurant Fires – March 22, 2024 – Co-presented with Attorney Richard Schuster and Attorney Chip Barnhart at the 2024 NASP Spring Conference.
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Subrogation: Tackling Kotecki and Lien Assignments for Insurance Professionals – March 21, 2024 – Co-presented with Attorney Steve Smith and Attorney Breanna Law on a webinar.
- Get In Line or Jump The Line: Bankruptcy and Health Subrogation – February 29, 2024 – A webinar presented to the public with Attorney Nancy Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Workers’ Compensation Subrogation in Focus: From California Credit Rights to Oklahoma Death Claims – February 22, 2024 – A webinar presented to the public with Attorney Steve Smith and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- We Can Work It Out: Work Comp 2023 – November 14, 2023 – Seminar presented at SHA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
- If The Mountain Won’t Come To Medicare Subro, Move Medicare Subro To The Mountain – November 6, 2023 – Session presented at 2023 Annual NASP Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- Watch Out For The Sharks In The Water, They Smell Blood: Avoiding Risky Fiduciary Breaches That Could Become Very Costly For You And Your Clients – February 21, 2023 – Session presented at HCAA’s Executive Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- A Busy Year For Medicare Advantage Subrogation – November 7, 2022 – Seminar presented at National Association Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Annual Conference in Marco Island, Florida.
- Health Subrogation Roundtable (Health Subrogation Series Part 9) – October 25, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Medicare Advantage Primer and Update (Health Subrogation Series Part 8) – September 29, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case.
- Fully-Insured and Non-ERISA Plans: Advanced Topics in Preemption and Anti-Subrogation Exceptions (Health Subrogation Series Part 6) – July 26, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- ERISA Subrogation 101: Back to Basics (Health Subrogation Series Part 5) – June 21, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Post-Montanile Tracing and Stop Loss 101 (Health Subrogation Series Part 4) – May 24, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Understanding Form 5500s, Responding to 1024 Document Requests, and Addressing Arguments on Plan Delivery (Health Subrogation Series Part 3) – April 26, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Whose Claim Is It Anyway (Health Subrogation Series Part 2) – March 22, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- From First Notice Letter to Courthouse Steps: How To Avoid, But Be Ready For, Litigation (Health Subrogation Series Part 1) – February 22, 2022 – A webinar presented to the public. Co-presented with Attorney Nancy A. Case and Attorney Catherine Dowie.
- Medicare Updates: Prepare to get PAID – November 9, 2021 – Webinar presented at the 2021 NASP Annual Conference.
- State of Health Plan Subrogation: Expert Tips On Maximizing Subrogation Success – September 1, 2021 – Co-presented on a panel at the Healthcare Web Summit, co-sponsored by Conduent.
- Medicare: The Easy Path to Recovering Double Damages From Liability, No-Fault, and Work Comp Carriers (And How They Can Avoid It) – November 16, 2020 – Webinar presented at the 2020 NASP Annual Conference.
- Subrogating Fireplace Fires – April 23, 2020 – Co-presented at the 2020 NASP Subrogation Litigation: Skills and Management Conference.
- Preparing for Doomsday: What to Expect and How to Prepare Before the Medicare Trust Fund is Exhausted – October 28, 2019 – Seminar presented at 2019 Annual National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Washington, D.C.
- Navigating Medicare Advantage Liens and Double Damages: A Primer and Legal Update – April 25, 2019 – Seminar presented to Wisconsin Bar in Madison, WI.
- Medicare Advantage Year In Review – November 13, 2018 – Seminar presented at 2018 National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Orlando, Florida.
- U.S. Product Liability Law and Developments –November 24, 2017 – Seminar presented at 2017 USA Product Liability Insurance Conference in Taipei, Taiwan.
- Medicare Advantage Year In Review – November 7, 2017 – Seminar presented at 2017 Annual National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Austin, Texas.
- The Latest Medicare Advantage Decision: Its Significance and Loopholes Analyzed – January 27, 2017 – Webinar presented for The Knowledge Group.
- Medicare Advantage: Year In Review – October 24, 2016 – Panel presentation at 2016 National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Annual Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- ERISA Subrogation and Reimbursement – May 12, 2016 – Seminar presented at Association of Railroad Medical Service Executives (ARMSE) Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
- License To Steal: Breaking Down The Supreme Court’s Decision In Montanile – January 23, 2016 – A webinar presented to the public.
- Medicare Advantage: Recent Case Law and What It Means for Practitioners – November 9, 2015 – Seminar presented at 2015 National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Reno, Nevada.
- Medicare Advantage Update: Enforcing Your Rights Under The Medicare Secondary Payer Act –February 24, 2015 – A webinar presented to the public.
- 2014: Year In Review – November 11, 2014 – seminar presented at 2014 National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Orlando, Florida.
- ERISA Health Subrogation 2012 Updates – August 9, 2012 – A webinar presented to the public.
- 2012 Health Subrogation Updates – July 12, 2012 – Seminar presented at National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Texas Chapter Meeting.
- Avoiding and Understanding The Made Whole and Common Fund Doctrine – September 20, 2011 – A webinar presented to the public.
- Technology and Property Subrogation – June 29, 2011 – Webinar on Spoliation Issues in Wisconsin presented for National Association of Subrogation Professional’s (NASP) Wisconsin Chapter.
- A Review of Longaberger v. Kolt and Other Potential ERISA Game-Changing Cases – February 16, 2011 – A webinar presented to the public.
- Longaberger v. Kolt And ERISA Game Changers – November 10, 2010 – Seminar presented at 2010 Annual National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Conference in Grapevine, Texas.
- Subrogating Occupational Accident Plans – June 1, 2010 – A webinar presented to the public.
- ERISA and The Wrongful Death Lawsuit – November 3, 2009 – Seminar presented at the 2009 National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Annual Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- Healthcare Subrogation 101: Recognizing Subrogation – June 3, 2009 – Seminar presented at the 2009 Association of Railroad Medical Service Executives (ARMSE) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Wisconsin Spoliation Law Update – May 5, 2009 – Seminar presented to National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Regional Meeting in West Bend, Wisconsin.
- Health Subrogation Best Practices in the Wake of the Shank Case – April 24, 2009 – Seminar presented at 2009 NOPLG Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Health Subrogation Best Practices in the Wake of the Shank Case – April 24, 2009 – Seminar presented at 2009 NOPLG Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- The Economic Loss Doctrine: The Monster in the Property Subrogation Closet – April 29-30, 2008 – Seminar presented to 5th Annual National Property Strategies ExecuSummit in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- The Intersection of Healthcare Subrogation and Bankruptcy: What Happens When Your Insured Files for Bankruptcy? (Health) – November 5, 2007 – Seminar presented at 2007 National Association of Subrogation Professional (NASP) Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Introduction to Workers’ Compensation Subrogation – November 13, 2006 – Seminar presented at 2006 National Association of Subrogation Professional (NASP) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.
- The ABC’s of Health Subrogation – November 13, 2006 – Seminar presented at 2006 National Association of Subrogation Professional (NASP) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.