Chair’s Message

            It is an honor to serve as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar. My immediate goal as Chair is to continue the outstanding work of Richard Thompson, the Immediate Past Chair, and Past Chair Richard Chait. Many highly regarded attorneys such as Ray Malca, my partner and mentor, Steve Kronenberg and George Kagan, to name a few, have served as Chair and I hope to follow their examples. Their examples demonstrated that our most effective leaders place the interest of the Section above the interests of either “claimant” or “defense” attorneys. I will strive to continue this tradition.

            The Workers’ Compensation Section is an organization within The Florida Bar which is open to all members in good standing of The Florida Bar who have a common interest in workers’ compensation law. The Section provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas leading to the improvement of individual trial and appellate abilities in workers’ compensation cases. The Section further assists the workers’ compensation judiciary in establishing methods for the more certain and expeditious administration of justice. The Section attempts to increase members’ effectiveness in trial and appellate review of workers’ compensation cases with a view toward better service to their clients and the cause of justice. Finally, the Section aids in the development of the workers’ compensation law in order to serve the public generally and The Florida Bar specifically in interpreting and carrying out the public and professional needs and objectives in the field. I encourage all attorneys who practice workers’ compensation to join and actively participate in the Section.

            In pursuit of these goals, the Section will continue to provide numerous educational opportunities throughout the year, endeavor to strengthen the relationship between practitioners and judges, remain involved in the legislative process and file amicus curiae briefs in appropriate appellate cases.

            The Section offers numerous educational opportunities throughout the year. Chair Elect and Continuing Legal Education Chair Dawn Traverso performs an outstanding job of organizing the educational programs that include the annual ski seminar and monthly webinars. The webinars are a convenient and inexpensive opportunity for attorneys to stay current on a wide range of workers’ compensation issues. The Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Forum (formerly the Workers’ Compensation Board Certification Review Course) is scheduled for April 11 to 13, 2012 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando. The Forum provides an excellent comprehensive review and detailed analysis of Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law essential for all workers’ compensation attorneys, legal assistants, claims professionals and rehabilitation providers. The steering committee lead by Allison Hauser and the faculty ensure the written course book is current and designed as the ultimate workers’ compensation reference guide. Mike Winer continues his dedication to the Section as Editor of the News and 440 Report. The News and 440 Report is an excellent source of information and legal analysis for Section members.

            Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims David Langham has worked tirelessly to improve the quality and efficiency of the Office of Judges of Compensation Claims. He is open and receptive to ideas that will improve the adjudicatory process. The comments of the Executive Council and Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Committee were well received during the most recent rule making process. As Chair, I look forward to working with Judge Langham and the Judges of Compensation Claims to improve the workers’ compensation adjudicatory system for the judges, the attorneys and, above all, the parties.

            The Section employs a lobbyist Fausto Gomez and actively participates in the legislative process to support the Section’s Legislative Positions when the opportunity arises. The Section’s Legislative Positions, which may be found on the Section’s website, promote the independence of the Judges of Compensation Claims, access to courts and the ability of all parties to obtain legal representation.

            The Section filed amicus curiae briefs that did not support either party in Kauffman v. Community Inclusions, 57 So. 3d 919 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011) and B.F. v. AMS Staff Leasing, 60 So. 3d 465 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011). The amicus curiae briefs advanced the Section’s Legislative Positions. These decisions were appealed to the Supreme Court of Florida. On July 27, 2011 the Florida Supreme Court declined jurisdiction to review Kauffman v. Community Inclusions, Case No.: SC11-661. The Court stayed B.F. v. AMS Staff Leasing, Case No.: SC11-815, pending its decision in Kauffman. At this time, B.F. remains pending.

            I look forward to working with Chair Elect Dawn Traverso, Treasurer Alan Kalinoski, Secretary Jacqueline Blanton Steele, Bar Administrator Arlee Coleman and the Executive Council members this year and wish to personally thank Immediate Past Chair Richard Thompson and Past Chair Richard Chait for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Section.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey I. Jacobs

Chair, Workers’ Compensation Section, The Florida Bar.