As uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) claims become increasingly more common, changing laws are redefining and complicating your responsibility as an attorney or insurance professional. This practical introduction to UM/UIM legal practice will arm you with a thorough understanding of the latest laws and the most practical case management strategies - so you can settle or mediate even the most complex claim effectively. Advocate your client's position using a wealth of information that will prepare you to meet the demands of every claim from start to finish and give you a strategic edge over your opponent. Order today!

1. Understand What the Insurer Is - and Isn't - Responsible For
2. Stay on Top of Recent Legal Developments and Special Issues
3. Avoid Ethical Potholes
4. Take the Lead in Settlement and Mediation
5. Litigate UM/UIM Claims With Confidence
6. Defend UM/UIM Cases - and Win

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. UNDERSTAND WHAT THE INSURER IS - AND ISN'T - RESPONSIBLE FOR
   9:00 - 10:00, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. Examine the Details of Offering/Purchasing Coverage, Waiving Coverage and Selecting Limits
   2. Determine the Nature and Extent of UM and UIM Coverages
   3. Measure the Impact of Step-Down Provisions
   4. Stacking of Coverages and Excess Liability: What You Must Know
   5. Interpret Exclusions and Limitations on Coverage
   6. How to Proceed With Injury Claims Due to Vehicle Operation, Maintenance or Use
   7. Answer Questions Related to Offsets and Reimbursements
   8. Does the Insurer Have Subrogation Rights to UM Benefits?
   9. How the Statute of Limitations Applies
2. STAY ON TOP OF RECENT LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SPECIAL ISSUES
   10:00 - 10:45, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. An Up-to-the-Minute Review of Recent Laws and Court Cases
   2. What Current Trends Mean to You
   3. The Latest on Handling Claims Involving Multiple Tortfeasors
   4. When Conflicts of Law With Other States Occur - Your Changing Role
   5. New Information on Dealing With Comparative Negligence Issues
   6. Multiple Policies? Know Who Pays
3. AVOID ETHICAL POTHOLES
   11:00 - 12:00, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. Stay Clear of Potential Conflicts of Interest
   2. How the Pros Guard Against Malpractice
   3. Know Who's Entitled to Independent Counsel
   4. How to Select Independent Counsel
4. TAKE THE LEAD IN SETTLEMENT AND MEDIATION
   1:00 - 2:15, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. Avoid Surprises When Faced With Subrogation Issues
   2. Eliminate the Threat of Bad Faith Claims
   3. Write Demand Letters That Get Results
   4. Steps You Must Take Prior to a Demand for Arbitration
   5. Settle More Claims Outside of Court
   6. Tips for the Arbitration and Mediation of Coverage Disputes
5. LITIGATE UM/UIM CLAIMS WITH CONFIDENCE
   2:30 - 3:30, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. Adopt Discovery Tools and Techniques That Work
   2. Draft Pleadings That Get the Job Done: Sample Document Review
   3. Choosing Experts and Evidence: Do Your Homework
   4. A Prosecutor's Blueprint for a Successful Trial
      1. Pack Power Into Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
      2. Gain Specific, Ready-to-Use Jury Instructions
6. DEFEND UM/UIM CASES - AND WIN
   3:30 - 4:30, Douglas M. DeGrave and Eric V. Traut
   1. Discovery Strategies That Pave the Way to Success
   2. How-to's for Responding to and Drafting Pleadings
   3. Techniques for Evaluating Experts and Evidence
   4. Execute a Winning Trial Strategy

DOUGLAS M. DEGRAVE is a partner in the Laguna Hills law firm of Poliquin & DeGrave LLP, where his practice is concentrated in the areas of uninsured and underinsured motorist law, general liability, construction defect and medical and dental malpractice. He is certified by the State Bar of California as a Certified Civil Trial Advocate. Mr. DeGrave is a frequent speaker on UM/UIM issues to insurance industry professionals. He is president elect of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA - Executive Board, Orange County Chapter), the National Board of Trial Advocates, the Orange County Bar Association, the State Bar of California, the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. Mr. DeGrave earned his A.S. degree from the University of Hawaii, his B.A. degree, with honors, from California State University at Long Beach and his J.D. degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles.

ERIC V. TRAUT is a partner in The Traut Firm, in Santa Ana, where his practice is concentrated in the areas of plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death. Mr. Traut is certified as a civil trial specialist. He speaks frequently on "litigating on a shoestring" and "cross-examination of experts." He also spoke at a convention of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles. Mr. Traut is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (board member, Orange County Chapter), past president of Lex Romana, past president of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of both Los Angeles and California and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He earned his B.S. and J.D. degrees from Western State University.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com