Conference Info
We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Scottsdale at the Hilton Resort & Villas.
Download the Conference Schedule or use the schedule below:
Download the Conference Schedule or use the schedule below:
MONDAY APRIL 17
12:00pm-5:00pm Registration Desk Open
Salon 1 Foyer
12:00pm-4:00pm Committee Meetings
Sonora A & B
4:00pm-5:00pm Board Meeting
Sonora A
5:00pm-7:00pm Welcome Party
Sierra Loggia
TUESDAY APRIL 18
8:00am-8:30am Breakfast
Sierra Loggia
8:30am-8:45am Opening Remarks by AASC President Tory Owens
Salon I & II
All Educational Sessions will take place in Salon I & II
8:45am-9:20am Using Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) in Collaboration with the Defense
Our speaker will help you identify ways to reach an agreement with the defense on settlements that benefit plaintiffs. Additionally, they will use case studies to demonstrate tax-saving strategies, working with defense to overcome standard objections about structures and provide useful talking points about non-qualified structures.
Speakers:
12:00pm-5:00pm Registration Desk Open
Salon 1 Foyer
12:00pm-4:00pm Committee Meetings
Sonora A & B
4:00pm-5:00pm Board Meeting
Sonora A
5:00pm-7:00pm Welcome Party
Sierra Loggia
TUESDAY APRIL 18
8:00am-8:30am Breakfast
Sierra Loggia
8:30am-8:45am Opening Remarks by AASC President Tory Owens
Salon I & II
All Educational Sessions will take place in Salon I & II
8:45am-9:20am Using Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) in Collaboration with the Defense
Our speaker will help you identify ways to reach an agreement with the defense on settlements that benefit plaintiffs. Additionally, they will use case studies to demonstrate tax-saving strategies, working with defense to overcome standard objections about structures and provide useful talking points about non-qualified structures.
Speakers:
- Randy Levine, Sage
9:20am-9:30am Committee Update
Brian Schachter
9:30am-10:00am Leveraging Technology to Do Your Job More Effectively
Our speakers will discuss how to use the newest industry technologies as part of your winning argument for the use of structured settlement and other complimentary products to your clients. See how you can illustrate the use of a trust with a structured settlement or retail annuity showing multiple outcomes depending on risk.
Speakers:
- James Creel, Capital First Trust
10:00am-10:15am Break
10:15am-10:45am Cordero and the Settlement Planning Industry
Lujerio Cordero's lawsuit against Transamerica for failing to enforce anti-assignment provisions in his Structured Settlement Agreement and related Assignment Agreement currently is being decided by the New York State Court of Appeals. The National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) has filed an Amicus Brief arguing that if Cordero wins, this case would impose upon annuity issuers and structured settlement obligors a heretofore unknown fiduciary duty. That fiduciary duty, according to NSSTA's brief, would unfairly increase the cost of structured settlements, require annuity issuers to pass judgment on the "best interests" of claimants seeking to transfer payment rights, and eliminate protections granted to annuity issuers and obligors under the state protection acts. Cordero argues Transamerica failed to take the most rudimentary steps required of an "interested party" in a transfer proceeding and thereby violated the contractual terms of an "anti-assignment agreement" and thereafter failed to honor an obligation of candor to the court. The issues and business practices being argued in this case are fundamental to all structured settlement transactions. Regardless of the outcome, the Cordero case represents a uniquely important educational opportunity for all structured settlement and settlement planning professionals.
Speakers:
10:15am-10:45am Cordero and the Settlement Planning Industry
Lujerio Cordero's lawsuit against Transamerica for failing to enforce anti-assignment provisions in his Structured Settlement Agreement and related Assignment Agreement currently is being decided by the New York State Court of Appeals. The National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA) has filed an Amicus Brief arguing that if Cordero wins, this case would impose upon annuity issuers and structured settlement obligors a heretofore unknown fiduciary duty. That fiduciary duty, according to NSSTA's brief, would unfairly increase the cost of structured settlements, require annuity issuers to pass judgment on the "best interests" of claimants seeking to transfer payment rights, and eliminate protections granted to annuity issuers and obligors under the state protection acts. Cordero argues Transamerica failed to take the most rudimentary steps required of an "interested party" in a transfer proceeding and thereby violated the contractual terms of an "anti-assignment agreement" and thereafter failed to honor an obligation of candor to the court. The issues and business practices being argued in this case are fundamental to all structured settlement transactions. Regardless of the outcome, the Cordero case represents a uniquely important educational opportunity for all structured settlement and settlement planning professionals.
Speakers:
- Patrick Hindert, Independent Life
10:45am-11:00am Break
11:00am-11:45am Tracking Medicare’s Movements
Get up to date on the latest Medicare rules as our speakers discuss different types of Medicare plans and products and how they could benefit settlement recipients under a variety of scenarios. Additionally, learn best practices on resolving Medicare liens.
Speakers:
- John Kane, Ametros & MSP Network
11:45am-12:15pm Legislative Update
Get an update on the latest happenings in Congress, including AASC’s progress on getting sexual abuse cases added to 104(a)2 as physical injuries.
Speakers:
- Jennifer Wieroniey, AASC
- Warren Payne, Mayer Brown, LLP
12:15pm-1:30pm Small Group Lunch
AASC’s Partner Members will be hosting small groups of attendees for lunch on the town in Scottsdale. See list of groups here.
1:30pm-2:30pm Using Trust Companies: Case Studies
Trusts can be an incredibly useful tool for settlement recipients, particularly as you look to preserve government benefits. Hear from our speakers about practical use cases for the various types of trusts. Real world examples will help you identify scenarios where your client could benefit from the use of a trust.
Speakers:
- Joanna Wynes, Sage
- Will Lindahl, CPT Institute
- Christi Fried, Continental Trust
2:30-3:15pm IRS Regulatory Update: GLAM
Attorney Robert Wood will discuss the implications of the IRS GLAM on attorney fee structures. Attendees can expect to get the latest updates on industry action following the IRS memo.
Speakers:
- Robert Wood, Wood LLP
3:15pm-3:30pm Break
3:30pm-4:00pm Emotional Intelligence: Tools for Connecting with Claimants
This session will help you understand the emotional impact injuries have on clients and how to utilize tools to connect with claimants, bring them comfort and solidify trust more easily.
Speakers:
- George Audi, Sage
- Rebecca Korn, Rise, Reign, Rule
4:00pm-5:00pm Retail Annuities vs. Structured Settlements: Differences and Use Cases for Both
Learn about fixed-indexed annuities and why they could be an attractive option for claimants and their attorneys. This session will discuss the opportunities associated with using retail products versus structured settlement products, including examples and use cases.
Speakers:
- Steven Sandberg, Legend Financial
- Tanis Kelly, Sage
5:00pm-5:30pm Integrating Market-Based Solutions with Annuity Solutions
Our speaker will provide a comprehensive overview for the settlement consultant on how they may combine the best features of the structured settlement annuity with a variety of market-based solutions to provide realistic strategies to deal with the impact of future inflation on the overall settlement plan. Additionally, our speaker will highlight market-based strategies that have been successfully utilized on large tax-free along with taxable cases to minimize tax loss. Plus, several examples of how non-qual wrongful imprisonment, construction defect, and disputed life insurance have been successfully settled with market-based products.
Speaker:
- John McCulloch, Arcadia Settlements Group
5:30pm-7:00pm AASCPAC Reception
8:00pm-11:00pm President’s Party
Culinary Dropout
7135 E Camelback Rd
WEDNESDAY APRIL 19
8:30am-9:00am Breakfast
9:00am-9:15am Opening Remarks with President-elect Joanna Wynes
Salon I & II
All Educational Sessions will take place in Salon I & II
9:15am-9:45am Market Update
How will the Fed’s continued rate hikes affect the industry and the economy at large? Will annuity rates continue to rise? Get the latest updates on the financial markets and forecasts for the remainder of the year.
Speaker:
- Stephen Judeau, Bank of America
9:45am-10:30am Settlement Planning in Worker’s Comp Cases: Medical and Indemnity Considerations
Learn the ins and outs of worker’s comp cases. Our speakers will identify the best way for you to maximize benefits for your clients and make the most of their settlements.
Speakers:
- Johnny Meyers, Ametros
- Jeffrey Klugerman, Ringler
10:30am-10:45am Break
10:45am-11:15am Avoiding Malpractice Risk at Settlement for Plaintiff Lawyers
Settlement consultants maximize value for litigants and counsel. They can also reduce malpractice risk. Plaintiff lawyers are often surprised to learn how broad their client responsibilities are at settlement. Especially when they learn after becoming a defendant. With informed consent, plaintiff lawyers can narrow their scope of representation and avoid malpractice exposure. We’ll discuss what settlement consultants should know so they can protect the lawyers they work with.
Speakers:
- Jeremy Babener, Structured Consulting
11:45am-12:30pm Insights from the IRS
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stakeholder liaison will provide attendees with the latest IRS insights. Time will be reserved for Q&A at the end.
Speakers:
- Lisa Novak, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)