This CLE course provides a practical overview of how unemployment insurance appeals are decided and why similar cases often lead to different outcomes. The course begins with core UI program principles, including eligibility versus disqualification, sources of legal authority, and appeal rights.

Participants will examine the structure and mechanics of unemployment appeal hearings, including jurisdiction, burdens of proof, evidentiary standards, and witness examination in administrative proceedings. The program then focuses on misconduct versus non-misconduct determinations, addressing how adjudicators evaluate notice, intent, credibility, reasonableness, foreseeability, mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and gaps in the evidentiary record.

Emphasis is placed on common pitfalls, persuasive strategies, and the practical factors that most often determine whether unemployment benefits are awarded or denied.