Top 10 Tips for Success: Lessons Learned Over 40 Years of Social Security Law Practice – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track II (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)
Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., has represented claimants in Social Security disability claims since 1986, and is currently a solo practitioner in Parker, Colorado.
1 hour CLE
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Program Summary
Forty Years of Practice. The Tips That Outlast the Technology
Technology and administrative rules have changed dramatically since 1986. But four decades in Social Security law teach something else: there are basic strategies that remain timeless — and they will remain relevant in the years ahead, regardless of advances in technology and the whims of the agency.
The tips run the full width of a practice. Growing the practice and maintaining client relations keep the work coming. Staying out of trouble protects the license; making "good trouble" is what the license is for. Winning cases is the point — and the elusive work-life balance is what makes a forty-year career possible at all.
You walk out with the top ten: lessons learned over 40 years of Social Security law practice, passed on directly — the timeless strategies, sorted from the ones the years made obsolete.
Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour
This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.
Recorded Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Key topics to be discussed:
- Growing Your Practice
Building the practice with strategies that have held up over forty years. - Maintaining Client Relations
Keeping clients well-served and the relationships strong. - Staying Out of Trouble
Protecting yourself and your license across a long career. - Making "Good Trouble"
When and how to push — the trouble worth making. - Winning Cases
The timeless strategies that win, regardless of the agency's whims. - Work-Life Balance
Holding onto the elusive balance that sustains a forty-year practice.
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: October 15, 2026
- 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Eastern
- 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Central
- 10:15 am – 11:15 am Mountain
- 9:15 am – 10:15 am Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., Solo Practitioner | Ann J. Atkinson, Attorney at Law
Ann J. Atkinson, Esq., has represented claimants in Social Security disability claims since 1986, and is currently a solo practitioner in Parker, Colorado.
- Education & Credentials
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech (Communication) from Northwestern University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver College of Law.
- Recognition & Leadership
She was selected as one of Denver’s Top Lawyers by 5280 Magazine for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
- Professional Involvement
She is a past representative from the Tenth Circuit on NOSSCR’s Board of Directors, and also served on the Board of Directors for NOSSCR PAC.
Agenda
SESSION 1 – Top 10 Tips for Success: Lessons Learned Over 40 years of Social Security Law Practice | 12:15pm – 1:15pm
Technology and administrative rules have changed dramatically since 1986 when I started practicing but there are basic strategies that remain timeless. In this session I will pass on tips including how to grow your practice, maintain client relations, stay out of trouble, make “good trouble,” win cases, and maintain that elusive work-life balance, all of which will remain relevant in the years ahead regardless of advances in technology and the whims of the agency.
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