Attorney Dana W. Duncan is a native Wisconsinite whose family has lived in the State since the 1840s. After several years as a member of other law firms, he established Duncan Disability Law, S.C. in 2011. Dana was originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, but has lived in the Wisconsin Rapids area since 1994.
David Ferrari is a solo practitioner of Social Security Disability Law with 20 years experience. He worked for two major SSD firms for 16 of those years, traveling to 46 states and doing over 1,800 hearings. Cases have ranged from wins at initial consideration to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
This Seminar addresses ethical considerations for lawyers in general and specifically for those handling Social Security claims administratively and in federal court. The ABA’s Formal Opinion 512 outlines ethical obligations for lawyers using generative AI, emphasizing competence, confidentiality, communication, supervision, honesty, and fair billing practices. Lawyers must verify AI outputs, protect client data, and disclose AI use when material to representation. Issues also include the consideration of disclosure of AI use to the client and the tribunal. Additionally, this program explores real-world ethical dilemmas in Social Security practice, including submitting unfavorable evidence, protecting client privacy in federal filings, and amending onset dates. It stresses the importance of transparency, professionalism, and respectful courtroom conduct, while highlighting problematic behaviors by both attorneys and ALJs. Together, these documents underscore the evolving ethical landscape in legal practice, especially amid technological and procedural changes.
Presented by The Federal Bar Association Social Security Law Section
Key topics to be discussed:
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: December 4, 2025
Closed-captioning available
Dana W. Duncan | Duncan Disability Law, S.C.
Attorney Dana W. Duncan is a native Wisconsinite whose family has lived in the State since the 1840s. After several years as a member of other law firms, he established Duncan Disability Law, S.C. in 2011. Dana was originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, but has lived in the Wisconsin Rapids area since 1994. He has represented thousands of disabled clients throughout the United States in Social Security law and hundreds of Wisconsin workers for workers’ compensation claims. He is admitted to the Wisconsin Bar, the Western and Eastern Federal District Court of Wisconsin, the Western and Eastern Federal District Courts of Michigan, the Northern, Central, and Southern Federal District Courts of Illinois, the Northern and Southern District Court of Indiana, the Federal District Court of Colorado, the Federal District Court of North Dakota, and the Seventh, Fourth, Ninth, Tenth, Sixth, Eighth, and Second Circuits Court of Appeals. He has argued well over fifty cases in various Circuits.
When Dana is not working, you’ll find him reading, watching the Brewers, or his beloved Packers (he’s a shareholder). As an amateur historian, Attorney Duncan loves books on history and biography, is currently writing several historical articles and books, leads a history roundtable, and has recently taken up collecting coins and presidential campaign items. He has co-hosted the Greatest Movie of All-Time podcast for four years.
Duncan has become a well-known Social Security and workers’ compensation attorney. He continues lecturing on the law, recording webinars, podcasts, and training tools for other attorneys and non-attorneys.
Contact information for myLaw: [email protected]
L. David Ferrari, Attorney, Secretary/Treasurer | FBA Federal Litigation Section
David Ferrari is a solo practitioner of Social Security Disability Law with 20 years experience. He worked for two major SSD firms for 16 of those years, traveling to 46 states and doing over 1,800 hearings. Cases have ranged from wins at initial consideration to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. His practice is nationwide and he has handled cases for ex-pats globally. Call anytime at 617-312-2799 or email [email protected]; write 450 East Sixth St. # 2 South Boston, MA 02127-3033.
David is the FBA Federal Litigation Section Secretary/Treasurer; former FBA Social Security Law Section Chair 2015-2018. Jr. co-author of David Traver’s 16th Edition of the Social Security Advocate’s Handbook c. 2020; He was his Law School 2L Moot Court Champion; Student Bar Association Treasurer 2L; pre-law elected county-wide to the Duval Soil and Water Conservation Board; SGA President, Florida State College at Jacksonville. He helped his partner study while she attended FDIC University in DC and has temporarily fostered several of her rescue cats till they were adopted.
Contact information for myLaw: [email protected]
I. Application of ABA Formal Opinion 512 | 2:00pm – 2:10pm
II. Whether or when disclosure of AI use to clients is necessary | 2:10pm – 2:20pm
III. Whether or when disclosure of AI use to court is necessary | 2:20pm – 2:35pm
IV. Submitting unfavorable evidence to SSA | 2:35pm – 2:40pm
V. Client privacy in federal court | 2:40pm – 2:45pm
VI. Amending Onset Dates | 2:45pm – 2:50pm
VII. Professionalism and Attorney Conduct | 2:50pm – 3:00pm