Workers' Compensation Section Created

Last November approximately sixty attorneys and five judges gathered in Judge Boohaker’s courtroom for an unusual breakfast meeting.  For several hours plaintiff’s and defense attorneys discussed and debated various workers’ compensation issues that were deemed of importance to members of both the bench and the bar.  This event was sponsored by a loose affiliation of plaintiff’s and defense attorneys who had met during the prior summer to discuss similar issues.

This breakfast with the judges was conceived as a forum to expand on the meeting that is usually sponsored once a year by the state bar workers’ compensation section.  For those of you who attended last November’s breakfast, you are aware that the discussions at the November meeting were lively and issue-intensive.

Many members of the bench and bar thought about the event afterwards and there was enough enthusiasm and interest to warrant a second breakfast.  It was concluded that a more formal organization was probably needed in order to make this a continuing event. 

As a result of the success of the judge’s meeting, twenty or so practitioners met and formalized the section.  The slate of officers appears below, and in doing so, follows the model of the state section which alternates officers so that both sides of the bar are equally represented.  The by-laws set out two limited goals: (1) good relations between the plaintiff and defense members of the bar, and (2) a requirement that the section sponsor the breakfast with the county judges once a year.  Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the short history of this group is the hope that the section might achieve more than the limited goals that have been set.  Once the full degree of commitment and interest in this endeavor is measured, it is quite possible section’s activities will be broadened.

Greg Denny will serve as chair through November, at which time Martha Thompson will take over leadership of this group.  Steve McMeekin will serve as our first treasurer.  All funds raised from our $15 membership dues will go to catering the breakfast. For those of you who have interest in joining this group, and have not already done so, please contact the section’s secretary, Lindsey Hill, at 871-1310.  Lindsay will be responsible for organizing and maintaining our membership list.  The meeting this next fall, unlike last year, will be a members only event so if you intend on joining please join early.  Paying your dues early will enable us to plan the breakfast more efficiently.  The breakfast will serve as our annual meeting at which time the incoming officer will be elected.

Last year’s event, while successful, can be improved upon.  The section hopes to provide a more fast paced presentation covering a broader range of topics.   Discussions have already begun regarding topic selection and again it has been encouraging to hear that many members have suggested we build or expand upon topics discussed last year.  It is hoped that some of the things discussed last year might be achievable by using this section as a vehicle for making those ideas a reality.  It is also hoped that the formation of this section will help improve not only our next annual meeting but also the overall level of civility and competence in this practice area in which many of us have invested a good part of our lives.

There have been many people who have been integral in arranging this section, including but not limited to: Judge Scott Vowell, Beth Carmichael, Clay Clark, Bo Kirkpatrick, Martha Thompson, Jonathan Berryhill, Kenny Haynes, Steve Goozee, Larry King, and our late friend Cecil Duffee.  

This year’s meeting is currently scheduled for November 14^th in Judge Vowell’s courtroom.

Please contact any of us with questions, comments or suggested topics.

Chair:             Gregory T Denny (gregdenny@bellsouth.net)

Vice-Chair:    Martha Thompson - Huie, Fernambucq (mlt@hfsllp.com)

Secretary:      Lindsey Hill - King, Horsley, and Lyons (lohlaw1@hotmail.com)

Treasurer:      Steve McMeekin - Wainwright, Pope, and McMeekin (wpm@wainwrightpope.com