Historic News and 440 Reports

In 1997-98, George Kagan was the editor of the 2oth Anniversary issue of the News & 440 Report. He devoted Volume XX, No. 1 and No. 2 to recounting the amazing history of the Florida Bar Workers' Compensation section.  He was celebrating his years as Editor and telling a story. George has always been exceptional at telling a story. 

He noted that "there were side fluctuations in frequency and size of the" News between inception of the section and its decennial (1974-1984). He credited Steve Rissman as the first Editor until 1981, followed by Jonathan Alpert, Steve Kronenberg, and Peter Burkhart for a year each until George took over in 1984. 

The issues include full verbatim republication of early Kagan articles, and mention of iconic figures like those above and Jack Miller, Al Frierson, and Stephen Slepin. There is credit for all these, but it can be said that the 440 Report as we now know it owes much to Mr. Kagan. This is echoed in the Volume XX, No.1 Editor notes penned by Rafael Gonzalez. The service of both Mr. Kagan and Mr. Gonzalez are so notable and too often overlooked.

Mr. Gonzalez' note goes to great lengths to explain the history of the section from its founding. The names he mentions are legendary. In addition to those mentioned above, Rafael notes Bernard Zimmerman, Barry Keyfetz, Terrell Sessums, Frank May, John Kest, David Parrish, James McConnaughhay, Gerald Rosenthal, Ray Malca, Jack Langdon, Steve Rosen, Tom Koval, Peter Burkert, Wendal Kiser, and James Smith. A literal a who's who. 

There is a major anniversary approaching in June 2025 when the Section will celebrate 50 years. That half century is more than half the life of Florida workers' compensation. The Section has been many things to many people over these five decades. I am proud of their accomplishment and their esprit de corps. In a small effort to help them celebrate, many of the old News & 440 reports have been scanned and are available on the OJCC blog.