Announcements

Director Bob Cohen has submitted his resignation to the Florida Governor, as Chair of the Administration Commission . There will be discussion at the March 12, 2019 Cabinet Meeting regarding how the resulting vacancy will be filled. 

Effective February 4, 2019, Rochelle Lefler will be the state mediator in the St. Petersburg OJCC Office. She is taking over for Judge Young as she assumes the bench in Tampa. Most recently, Ms. Lefler has been a private mediator at Lefler Dispute Resolution Services in Tampa. She has been mediating civil, family, and workers' compensation cases; she also provided Medicare Set-Aside compliance services. Ms. Lefler has a significant background in legal practice, mediation, and workers' compensation specifically. Many will remember her previous service as a State Mediator in 2000-2001 in the St. Petersburg District.  Ms. Lefler earned her Juris Doctor at Stetson University College of Law, and her B.A. from University of Tampa. We are happy to welcome her back to the OJCC!  

I was very proud on January 17, 2019 to attend the inaugural dinner of the Richard Sicking Inn of Court in Miami. This is the FOURTH Florida workers' compensation inn. The movement began in Jacksonville with the E. Robert Williams Inn . Next, the William Wieland Inn was organized in Orlando. Then the  The Tampa Bay Workers Compensation and Disability American Inn of Court  was formed more recently. Then, in 2019 the Richard A. Sicking American Inn of Court was launched.  I have been proud to support the Inns of Court movement for almost twenty years. It is an exceptional concept, driven by goals of professionalism and mentoring. I congratulate the Sicking Inn, and the 50 exceptional judges and lawyers that are inaugural members. I also congratulate the judges that have agreed to be honorary members, supporting the ideals and mission of the group! Judge Sylvia Medina-Shore Daron Fitch Frank Garcia Charles M. Hill Janelys Holland Ivan Morales Eduardo Neret  Virna Roa...

State Mediator Wanted St. Petersburg District Office Position posted on  www.peoplefirst.com Vacancy is immediate. Application deadline is January 21, 2019 Senior Attorney/State Mediator-OJCC - 72003531 Date: Jan 7, 2019 Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, US, 33701 Requisition No: 51733 Agency: Division of Administrative Hearings Working Title: Senior Attorney/State Mediator-OJCC - 72003531 Position Number: 72003531 Salary: $76,947.60 Posting Closing Date: 01/21/2019 Description: This position is Mediator for the Judgers of Compensation Claims Office and mediates workers' compensation cases. Qualifications: Must be a member of The Florida Bar for at least 5 years, must have completed a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediation program and must be certified as a circuit civil mediator by the Florida Supreme Court. Duties: Below are examples of duties which may be assigned to this position by the supervising Judge:  Coordinating and setting mediation conferences...

Recently, Governor Scott appointed new Judges of Compensation Claims in Ft. Lauderdale (Hon. Michael Ring) and Tampa (Hon. Rita Young) and reappointed judges in Jacksonville and Pensacola. Details are in Appointments and Reappointments .  There was some flurry of inquiry the following Monday as some questioned why both Tampa positions were not filled. I can unequivocally answer this question: "I don't know." I have every reason to believe that the second vacant position will in fact be filled. It is clear that Judge Young replaces Judge Douglas Spangler, as the Governor specifically said so. But, there was some question whether Judge Young was appointed from the "position one" list or the "position two" list, as Judge Young was nominated for each (for details see August JCC Nominees Announced ). I have since been provided clarification. The Governor's office filled the vacancy created by Judge Spangler's retirement, appointing Judge Young, from...

Friday, January 4, 2019 Governor Rick Scott announced the reappointment and appointment of Judges of Compensation Claims:  Ray Holley, 49, of Jacksonville, is reappointed as a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Jacksonville District. He has served the Jacksonville District since 2010. Holley received both his bachelor’s and law degree from Stetson University. Ralph Humphries, 66, of Jacksonville is reappointed as a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Jacksonville District. He has served the Jacksonville District since 2010. Humphries received both his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Florida.  Nolan Winn, 65, of Gulf Breeze, is reappointed as a Judge of Compensation Claim for the Pensacola District. He has served the Pensacola district since 2006. Winn received his bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville University and his law degree from Tulane Law School.  Rita Lawton Young, 59, of St. Petersburg, is appointed as a Judge of Compensation Claims for the Tam...

In the 1970s there was a sitcom of note. As did most televisions shows in that era, the Jeffersons came with a theme song. This one was entitled " Movin on Up ." And I am reminded of that tune as the Orlando District Office moves this week from 400 West Robinson Street in downtown Orlando to our new location just over the  Seminole County  line:  Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims 225 S. Westmonte Drive, Suite #3300 Altamonte Springs, FL, 32714 407-961-5805 During the week of October 22, 2018 proceedings are likely to occur at the West Robinson Street office. Parties and attorneys should rely on communications from the presiding judge or mediator in this regard. Towards the end of the week, proceedings may instead be conducted at the new Westmonte Drive location. And, beginning the week of October 29, 2018 all proceedings will be at Westmonte Drive.  Those who have experienced parking difficulties at the old Orlando office location will be pleased with the a...