In this episode, Ben Glass shares a full oral argument recording from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The case? An ERISA long-term disability appeal involving a battle over regulatory deadlines, the standard of review, and the real meaning of "special circumstances."

Ben argued on behalf of the plaintiff (appellee), after winning in the district court. Reliance Standard appealed.

🧠 Topics covered:

How to frame ERISA deadlines and regulatory violations in federal court
The real stakes of a standard-of-review battle
What happens when insurers blow their timelines—but want to preserve discretion
Why most long-term disability appeals aren’t just about medical records

This episode is a rare look behind the curtain into the actual legal battlefield that ERISA litigators operate in—and how strategy plays out when you're standing before a panel of federal judges.

If you take LTD cases—or refer them—this is essential listening.

Ben Glass is a nationally recognized personal injury and long-term disability insurance attorney in Fairfax, VA. Since 2005, Ben Glass and Great Legal Marketing have been helping solo and small firm lawyers make more money, get more clients and still get home in time for dinner. We call this TheGLMTribe.com

What Makes The GLM Tribe Special?

In short, we are the only organization within the "business builder for lawyers" space that is led by two practicing lawyers.

One thing we're sure you've noticed is that despite the variety of options within our space, no one else is mixing
the actual practice of law with business building in the way that we are.

There are no other organizations who understand the highs and lows of running a small law firm and are engaged in talking to real clients. That is what sets GLM apart from every other organization, and it is why we have had loyal members that have been with us for two-decades.

Ep. 201 – Behind the Brief: ERISA Oral Argument in the 4th Circuit