Kate and Sarah are North Star Lawyers!

Kate and Sarah were recognized as North Star Lawyers for providing pro bono service to those in need of legal service but unable to afford it. Here we are holding the announcement in the Star Tribune:

FAQ: When should I get an attorney involved in my disability/life insurance/pension issue?

                There are three common times when you should think about involving an attorney in your ERISA employee benefits dispute or claim: (1) when submitting an application for benefits, (2) after the denial of benefits, and (3) at the commencement of litigation. Here is why you might choose to retain an attorney at any one of these times.

                You might decide to hire an attorney to submit your application or claim for benefits. This is a good strategy if you have a complicated situation or issue that may affect your application. One example might be if you are applying for long-term disability benefits after being terminated from employment or quitting from your job. Another example might be if your disabling condition is complicated your application for disability benefits may require some explanation as to why you can no longer perform you job. Applications are time consuming and complicated, so sometimes people hire an attorney to handle the application because he or she does not have the time or energy to devote to making sure the insurer receives all the information necessary. As long as your benefit plan is governed by ERISA, you will be allowed a chance to appeal any decision made by the plan administrator that is adverse to you, so many claimants choose to apply for benefits on their own and then hire an attorney only if they are denied.

                The most common time individuals hire an attorney is after he or she has had a pension, life insurance, or disability benefit denied. The attorney can then submit an administrative appeal for the claimant. An administrative appeal is a written appeal to the plan administrator explaining why the decision to deny benefits was wrong, and submitting any new evidence in support of the claim. An administrative appeal is VERY important, because once it is submitted you are frequently no longer allowed to submit any new evidence to support your claim to the insurer. Generally, it is best to consult an attorney when submitting your administrative appeal, so you can be sure the evidence in the administrative record (everything submitted to the plan administrator by you, and everything the plan administrator gathers or creates on its own in regards to your claim) is as complete as possible so the insurer can make a full and fair review of your claim for benefits.

                Once you have completed all your administrative appeals, the only option to pursue your case further is usually to bring a lawsuit in federal court. At this phase, you should almost always hire an attorney to represent you in your case. ERISA cases have complex legal issues like how much deference should be given to the insurer’s decision. It is best to have good legal representation once litigation begins.

Article about Kate in Minnesota Lawyer

From the article in Minnesota Lawyer about Kate:

“'Kate MacKinnon has been a solo or very small firm lawyer for many years, a group that deserves more recognition in the legal community generally,' said Hennepin County District Court Judge Mary Vasaly, who nominated MacKinnon for Attorney of the Year.  “In the many years she (MacKinnon) has practiced in this community she has demonstrated her excellence and professionalism. She focuses on ERISA and appeals, two very difficult areas, particularly for a solo practitioner.”

"One of MacKinnon’s recent significant legal victories was a landmark reversal in an insurance coverage case. In Jacky L. Larson v. The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the insurer acted improperly when it refused to pay the death benefit for an insured.  The court said the rescission of an insurance policy 'requires proof of the insured’s subjective intent to deceive.'"

"MacKinnon said she loves being a lawyer because of the intellectual problems she gets to handle. “It is fascinating and interesting. It is never dull.'"

Read more about Kate's 2014 Attorney of the Year Award in Minnesota Lawyer here: http://minnlawyer.com/2015/02/20/attorneys-of-the-year-katherine-l-mackinnon/

Attorney of the Year Ceremony

Kate was recently recognized as an Attorney of the Year for 2014 by Minnesota Lawyer. Here are pictures of Kate receiving her award:

It was a lovely ceremony. The attorneys recognized had made incredible contributions. It was a great honor, and Kate was thrilled. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with to congratulate her!

Unemployment Compensation Appeal Argument

Here are pictures from Sarah Demers' argument at the Minnesota Court of Appeals today! The case was an appeal of a denial of unemployment compensation benefits.

Administrative Appeal Exhaustion

If the insurer makes an "adverse benefits determination" (meaning a decision that is in some way not favorable to you - such as terminating or denying your benefits claim), ERISA regulations require that you be allowed to submit an administrative appeal to the insurer. The administrative appeal must be submitted to the insurer within a time frame that is determined by the type of benefit for which you are making a claim, and should include all information you can gather in support of your claim. The administrative appeal is VERY important because once the insurer has received you appeal, there is no other chance to submit any new information. The insurer will decide whether to stand by or reverse its original decision based on what you have submitted. If the insurer decides to stand by its original decision to deny or terminate your benefits, your only recourse is usually to bring a case in federal court.


Sometimes people ask us why they should bother with submitting the administrative appeal. Maybe you are sure the insurer will deny the appeal anyway. Or maybe you are in a hurry - administrative appeals take time and money to prepare, and you may end having to bring a lawsuit in the end anyway. Why not bypass all that hassle and go right to court?


The answer is that ERISA requires you to do all required administrative appeals before bringing a lawsuit. If you initiate a lawsuit before completing the administrative appeals, your lawsuit will be dismissed without being heard. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, generally you must submit all required administrative appeal process before going to court.


If you have questions about administrative appeals, you can contact us at the Law Office of Katherine L. MacKinnon for a consultation on your case.

Katherine MacKinnon named an Attorney of the Year for 2014!

Kate was recently named an Attorney of the Year for 2014 by Minnesota Lawyer. This is a wonderful honor, and Kate is thrilled to be in the company of the other attorneys who have received this award.


Congratulations, Kate!


To read the entire article in Minnesota Lawyer about all the honorees, click here.