In September, over 550 attorneys, claims professionals, insurance representatives and long-term care facility owners and managers gathered in Boston for the Committee's annual Nursing Home/ALF Litigation seminar.  Nearly a year's preparation by the seminar steering committee went into developing the agenda, attracting world-class speakers and publicizing the opportunities for education, professional networking, and good times with trusted colleagues and friends provided by the seminar.  The Committee was proud to host presentations by a panel that included physicians, nurses, in-house counsel, and attorney colleagues with expertise in long-term care-related topics ranging from the emergence of class actions as a litigation strategy to unique ethical issues presented by insurance policies covering nursing homes and other providers of health care to the elderly and infirm.

Committee Chair Phil Willman and Law Institute Liaison Stephen Plunkett led off the proceedings with remarks on the benefits of committee membership and the opportunities to get involved in the various publications, webinars, seminar planning and other Committee activities.  Among our speakers, Kippy Wroten's presentation about defending a long-term care provider in a nationally-known California lawsuit received a tremendous response, as did discussions by Pam Schremp and Rick Beard on the "nuts and bolts" of defending long-term care cases, and a presentation on wound care by Dr. Kwon Lee.  These presentations reflected a consistent trend of high quality and relevance among all of our speakers and the topics they addressed.

We were also fortunate to have seven long-term care providers and insurers hold panel conferences in conjunction with the seminar.  Along with the well-attended cocktail receptions and networking dinners, the seminar provided a range of opportunities for clients and colleagues to connect.

Work has already begun on the 2012 Nursing Home/ALF Litigation seminar, scheduled for September 13 and 14, 2012, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.  Suggestions from attendees of this year's seminar included going "back to basics" and focusing on the fundamental factual and legal issues facing long-term care providers in litigation, and focusing on linking presentations by medical providers to substantive defense strategies.  If you have suggestions or are interested in serving on the seminar steering committee, please contact the Program Vice Chair for 2012 seminar, Pam Schremp of CNA, or contact me, Richard Moore, as I have the pleasure of serving as the Program Chair for next year's seminar.  We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!