Articles & Engagements

Bonny Rafel, New Jersey Attorney

Speaking Engagements

Date: March 3, 2020
Topic: The Interplay Between Employment Issues and Disability Claims
Organization: Morris Essex Small Firm Networking Group


Date: November 12, 2019
Topic: Primer on Disability Based on Cognitive Impairments
Organization: The Cognitive and Research Center of New Jersey, LLC Springfield, NJ
Invited Lecturer


Date: March 23, 2018
Topic: Insurance and The Disabled: The Interrelationship of Disability Claims, Employment Claims, Social Security and Personal Injury Claims
Organization: New Jersey State Bar Association in collaboration with the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Invited Moderator/Lecturer


Date: August 22, 2017
Topic: The Latest Issues in Disability Claims For Professionals
Organization: RubmanGoldman and Associates, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Invited Lecturer


Date: July 13, 2017
Topic: 2017 Insurance Boot Camp: Disability Insurance
Organization: New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Invited Lecturer


Date: May 2, 2017
Topic: Current Trends in Disability Claims & Litigation
Organization: Independence Planning Group, Philadelphia, PA
Invited Lecturer


Date: November 17, 2016
Topic: Parkinson’s Disease Disability Claims: The Basics
Organization: National Parkinson’s Foundation
Invited Attorney for Training Webinar


Date: September 15-16, 2016, Boston, MA.
Topic: Partial v. Total Disability: Drawing the Line
Organization: American Conference Institute, 19th Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims conference
Invited Lecturer (17th year in row)


Date: June 8, 2016
Topic: Current Trends in Disability Income Planning and Claims Litigation
Organization: NYC Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals
Invited Lecturer


Date: March 30, 2016
Topic: Multiple Sclerosis Disability Claims Workshop
Organization: National Multiple Sclerosis Society NJ Chapter –
Presenter For Local Workshop, Morris County NJ


Date: January 21-22, 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
Topic: The Latest Vocational Issues in Disability Claims
Organization: American Conference Institute, 18th Annual Litigating Disability Insurance Claims conference
Invited Lecturer


Date: October 29, 2015
Topic: Overcoming Barriers and Succeeding as a Disabled Attorney
Organization: Webinar scheduled by the New Jersey State Bar Association in conjunction with New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education
Invited Moderator and Speaker


Date: October 28, 2015
Topic: Multiple Sclerosis Disability Claims: The Basics
Organization: National Multiple Sclerosis Society –
Invited Attorney for BET Training: ERISA Attorneys, Lunch and Learn Webinar


Date: October 22, 2015
Topic: Latest Trends in Disability Claims- A Primer
Organization: North Jersey Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals
Invited Lecturer


Date: January 22-23, 2015
Topic: Tips, Strategies and Best Practices for Successful Early Mediation of a Disability Claim
Organization: American Conference Institute National 17th Annual Forum on Disability, Philadelphia, PA
Invited Lecturer


Date: September 20, 2014
Topic: Vocational Evaluations In Disability Claims
Organization:: Law Line, New York City, NY
Invited Lecturer


Date: January 23-4, 2014
Topic: Assessing the Implications and Challenges of a Court’s Decision to Remand
Organization: American Conference Institute National 16th Annual Forum on Disability, Manhattan, NY
Invited Lecturer


Date: August 27, 2013
Topic: Insurance Coverage Boot Camp: Disability and Health Insurance
Organization: New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, New Brunswick, NJ
Invited Lecturer


Date: July 22, 2013
Topic: Litigating Super Storm Sandy: Coverage and Bad Faith Issues to Watch Out For
Organization: American Association for Justice Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA
Invited Lecturer


Date: April 19, 2013
Topic: Post Sandy: Understanding and Handling Insurance Claims
Organization: New Jersey Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Atlantic City, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: March 16, 2013
Topic: Disability Claims- For Lupus How to Properly File a Claim and Get The Benefits You Deserve
Organization:: Lupus Foundation of America, New Jersey Chapter, Overlook Hospital, NJ
Invited Lecturer


Date: March 14, 2013
Topic: Disability Claims for Multiple Sclerosis-
Organization:: St Barnabus Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: February 24, 2013
Topic: Handling a First Party Disability Claim: Analyzing Potential Claims & Protecting the Client’s Interests: February Bridge the Gap Day 2
Organization:: Law Line, New York City, NY
Invited Lecturer


Date: January 25, 2013
Topic: Analyzing and Interpreting IMEs, FCEs, Neuropsych Evaluations
Organization: American Conference Institute National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims
Invited Lecturer


Date: November 16, 2012
Topic: Helping the Region Rebuild: An Orientation to Property Insurance Coverage, Flood Insurance and FEMA
Organization: New Jersey Association for Justice, BiAnnual Convention, Meadowlands, NJ
Invited Lecturer


Date: April 27, 2012
Topic: Trial Practice- “Facts Can’t Speak for Themselves”


Organization: New Jersey Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Atlantic City, NJ
Invited Moderator- for Eric Oliver, Speaker


Date: January 26, 27 2012
Topic: Handling a Disability Claim from Inception to Trial
Organization: American Conference Institute National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims
Invited Lecturer


Date: November 11, 2011(live web cast-available on line)
Topic: Current Trends in Own Occupation Disability Claims
Organization: Lawline.com, Online Continuing Legal Education
Invited Faculty Member


Date: July 10, 2011
Topic: How to Avoid Inadvertent Legal Malpractice in Disability Claims
Organization:: Annual AAJ National Convention, New York City, NY., Section: Social Security Disability Law Section and ERISA, Health and Disability Insurance Litigation Group
Invited Speaker


Date: June 10 & 11th, 2010
Topics: Statute of Limitations in Disability Claims: The Current Trend to Inhibit Bona Fide Claims in Court-and the Impact on Consumers and Their Counsel
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 13th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Claims, Boston, MA
Invited Speaker for the Tenth Consecutive Year


Date: April 23, 2010
Topic: Private Plan Disability Benefits: What You Need to Know and How They Affect a Worker’s Compensation Claim
Organization:: New Jersey Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Atlantic City, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: March 16, 2010
Topic: What Employment Lawyers Need to Know About Disability Law
Organization:: NJ Institute for Continuing Education and NJ State Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section, Edison, NJ
Invited Lecturer


Date: February 24th, 2010
Topic: Effective Negotiating Strategies
Organization:: Woman Lawyers of Union County, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: February 8, 2010
Topic: ERISA and Long Term Disability
Organization:: New Jersey Advisory Council on Safety and Health, Princeton, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: January 21, 2010
Topic: Disability Insurance Primer for Financial Advisors and Producers
Organization:: The New Jersey Square Table Study Group, Florham Park, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: June 15 & 16th, 2009
Topics: IMEs, FCEs and Medical and Vocational Experts: Interpreting and Utilizing Testimony and Exam Results to Prove or Refute Claimed Disability
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 12th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Claims, Boston, MA,
Invited Speaker


Date: June 4, 2009
Topic: Disability Litigation
Organization:: New Jersey Dental Association, Annual Session, Atlantic City, NJ
Invited Speaker


Date: May 20, 2009
Topic: Disability Claims in a Down Economy
Organization:: American Law Institute, American Bar Association, Philadelphia, PA,
Invited Lecturer


Date: March 1-3rd, 2009
Topic: Multiple Sclerosis – Totally Frank
Organization:: Eastern Claims Conference, New York City, NY,
Invited Speaker


Date: June 13 & 14th, 2008
Topic: Counsel fees and ERISA; Making the Insurance Company PAY
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 11th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Claims, Boston, MA,
Invited Speaker


Date: July 21st, 2007
Topics: Women With Multiple Sclerosis, When to Stop Working; How to Obtain Disability Benefits Through an Employer Sponsored Plan or Private Insurance
Organization:: South Florida Chapter, Multiple Sclerosis Society Annual Women’s Retreat, Miami FL,
Invited Workshop Leader


Date: June 6 & 7th, 2007
Topic: The IME Doctor, “Paper Reviewer”, and Treating Phyisician: Challenging the Assessment of the Claimant
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 10th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Claims, Boston, MA,
Invited Speaker


Date: April 26, 2007
Topics: Women and the Law, A Roundtable Discussion
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Jersey, Atlantic City, New Jersey,
Moderator


Date: February 24, 2007
Topic: Protecting Your Practice & Clients When Faced With Death or Disability
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Jersey,
Invited Speaker


Date: February 11, 2007
Topic: Use of the Consumer Fraud Act in States Without Developed Bad Faith Law or Statutes
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Winter Convention, Miami, Florida,
Invited Speaker


Date: Sept. 21 & 22 2006
Topic: The Year in Review: Discussion of Important Bad Faith Decisions in Disability and Life Insurance
Organization:: Mealey’s Bad Faith Litigation Conference, Philadelphia, PA,
Invited Speaker


Date: April 27th-28th, 2006
Topic: What Every Practitioner Needs to Know About Disability
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Jersey, Annual Convention Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, New Jersey,
Invited Speaker


Date: April 27th, 2006
Topic: The Voice of Women on the Bench, the Judge’s Perspective
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Jersey, Women Litigators’ Luncheon, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Co-Chairperson


Date: February 23rd and 24th, 2006
Topic: How To Prove Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Other Self Reported Symptoms
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 9th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Claims, Miami, Florida,
Invited Speaker


Date: December 2, 2005
Topic: Bad Faith Discovery in New Jersey
Organization:: NJ American Trial Lawyers Association, New Jersey,
Chairperson of NJATLA Bad Faith Committee and Speaker


Date: November 14th and 15th, 2005
Topic: States with the Fairly Debatable Standard for Bad Faith
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 10th National Advanced Forum on Bad Faith and Punitive Damages, Miami, Florida,
Invited Speaker


Date: May 25 & 26, 2005
Topics: Litigating Mental Illness Disability Claims, the Role of the IME; Case Study, Cross Examining the Independent Medical Examiner in Trials
Organization:: American Conference Institute National Advanced Forum on Litigating Mental Illness Disability Insurance Claims, New York City, NY, Invited Moderator for the entire conference,
Invited speaker


Date: April 20, 2005
Topic: Hot Topics in Disability Insurance Presented to Brokers and Financial Consultants
Organization:: Brokerage Concepts Incorporated and International Planning Alliance, LLC,
Invited Speaker


Date: March 29, 2005
Topic: Disability Insurance for Professors of Dentistry and Dentists in Private Practice, The Myths and Reality of Coverage
Organization:: University of Medicine & Dentistry, Newark, NJ,
Invited Speaker


Date: March 22, 2005
Topic: Update, Bad Faith, ERISA and The UnumProvident Reassessment
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Teleconference,
Invited Speaker


Date: March 4 & 5, 2005
Topic: IMEs, Treating Physicians and Paper Reviewers- Who Legitimately Makes the Decision As to Disability?
Organization:: American Conference Institute 8th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims, Miami Florida,
Invited Speaker


Date: January 11, 2005
Topic: Hot Topics in Disability Insurance
Organization:: International Planning Alliance, LLC, A Financial Services
Organization:, Wayne, NJ,
Invited Speaker


Date: Sept. 27 & 28, 2004
Topic: Advice on prosecuting a Summary Judgment Motion in a bad faith case.
Organization:: Mealey’s Bad Faith Litigation Conference, Philadelphia, PA,
Invited Speaker


Date: June 10 & 11, 2004
Topic: Latest trends in Fibromyalgia, Moderator.
Organization:: American Conference Institute 7th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims, Boston, Mass.,
Invited Speaker


Date: March 29 & 30, 2004
Topic: Success with Bad Faith Claims in States with the “No Debatable Reason” Standard
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 10th National Advanced Forum on Bad Faith and Punitive Damages, San Francisco, California,
Invited Speaker


Date: February 15, 2004
Topic: Daubert Challenges in Bad Faith Litigation
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Mid-Year Convention, Orlando, Florida,
Invited Speaker


Date: July 19th-23rd, 2003
Topic: Current Trends in Disability
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Francisco, California,
Invited Speaker


Date: May 13, 2003
Topic: Litigating Long-Term Disability Claims Under ERISA Long-Term Disability Practice
Organization:: ATLA National College of Advocacy,
Invited Speaker


Date: May 10, 2003
Topic: ERISA: Treating Physician Rule- Nord
Organization:: Mealy’s Conference, Washington, D.C.


Date: April 28th and 29th, 2003
Topic: Legal, Tactical, and Practical Guide for Litigating Your Bad Faith Case
Organization:: American Conference Institute, 9th National Advanced Forum on Bad Faith and Punitive Damages, San Francisco, California,
Invited Speaker


Date: April 24th-25th, 2003
Topic: Disability Law: Finding the Diamond in the Rough,
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Jersey, Annual Convention Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, New Jersey,
Invited Speaker


Date: March 24 and 25th, 2003
Topic: Utilizing and Monitoring Vocational Assessment and Rehabilitation: Current Trends and Court Decisions
Organization:: American Conference Institute 6th National Advanced Forum on Litigating Disability Insurance Claims, Boston, Mass.,
Invited Speaker


Date: October, 2002
Topic: Discovery in Disability Claims
Organization:: NOCCSR, San Francisco, California


Date: July, 2002
Topic: Confidentiality: What’s So Secret Anyway?
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Atlanta, Georgia


Date: February, 2002
Topic: Confidentiality
Organization:: Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Miami, Florida


Date: July 2001
Topic: Mock Trial of a Disability Case
Organization:: ATLA, Montreal, Canada


Date: June 2001
Topic: Bad Faith in the Handling of Disability Claims
Organization:: American Conference Institute, Boston, MA


Date: July 2000
Topic: Bad Faith Litigation and ERISA, A Change is in the Air
Organization:: ATLA, Chicago, IL


Date:]une 2000
Topic: Material Duties of the Occupation and Employer Contact
Organization:: American Conference Institute, Boston, MA


Date: April 2000
Topic: Unforeseen Pitfalls When Filing for Disability
Organization:: Local Dental Association


Date:]uly 1999
Topic: Discovery of Company Documents That They’d Rather Not Disclose
Organization:: ATLA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA


Date: January 28, 1997
Topic: Special Needs Trusts
Organization:: Essex County Bar Association


Date: 1996
Topic: Proof of Traumatic Injuries
Publication: Cyclopedia of Trial Practice


Date: October 15, 1996
Topic: Paralegal’s Utilization in a Major Law Firm
Organization:: The Legal Assistant’s Association of New Jersey


Date: 1995
Topic: Products Liability Sample Complaint
Publication: Handling Accident Cases


Articles

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Client Reviews

I was an Engineer in a Research and Development division of a major corporation, putting in longer hours with the same workload. An unrelated episode landed me in the hospital, where I was DXd with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, which explained my decline at work. I then learned that I had...

Charlie

I would like to re-acknowledge what a difference your work has made in my life. When forced to retire 5 years ago, you dedication to helping me enroll into my disability policy has made all of the world of difference.

George

I cannot thank you enough for successfully appealing my disability benefits. My special thanks also to Eileen for all of their assistance, support and expertise. Your legal expertise of disability benefit entitlement was evidenced by your comprehensive and knowledgeable litigation of my appeal. I...

MaryJo

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