Leslie Oliver Wickham, Jr.
3200 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 43
Durham, North Carolina 27705
(919) 383-8332
Fax: (919) 383-0835
E-mail: lwickhamjr@aol.com
Born July 24, 1952 – Tarboro, North Carolina
Tarboro High School: 1970
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, BA in Education: 1975
Employed by Durham County Public Schools: 1976-1980
North Carolina Central University School of Law: 1980-1983
Markham & Wickham, Partner: 1984-1986
Edwards, Sharpe & Wickham, P.A., Director and Shareholder: 1987-1995
Law Office of Leslie O. Wickham, Jr.: 1996-present
Memberships:
North Carolina State Bar
North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
Member: Workers Rights Section 1998-99
1998-1999: Executive Committee of Workers’ Rights Section
1999-2000: Executive Committee of Workers’ Rights Section
North Carolina Bar Association: Workers’ Compensation Section
Association of Trial Lawyers of America: Workers’ Compensation Litigation Group
Durham County Bar
Publications & Lectures:
Co-Author of "North Carolina Workers’ Compensation for Paralegals" with Sheila M. Bossier and Annette Webb; Clearwater Information Systems 1994
Lectured on this publication February 24th and 25th, 1994.
Lectured on Workers’ Compensation to Durham-Orange Counties Legal Secretaries Association February 14, 1994.
Lectured on Workers’ Compensation Law at the "Family Medical Center Industrial "How To Seminar" October 26, 1994, Sanford, North Carolina.
Lectured on Workers’ Compensation Law at the Triangle Area Chapter of NCOSH February 22, 1995, Durham, North Carolina.
Guest panelist at the 2nd Annual Rehabilitation and Case Management Educational Symposiium March 25, 1995, Greensboro, North Carolina
Lectured on Workers’ Compensation Law at the Vance County Chapter of NCOSH January 23, 1996, Henderson, North Carolina
Co-Author "North Carolina Workers’ Compensation for Paralegals" with Scott Fuller and Annette Webb (Second Ed.) Clearwater Information Systems 1996
Guest Speaker "Sixth Annual Update on Workplace Torts and Worker’ Comp’ the Friday Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina December 3, 1999
My practice at the present time is approximately eighty percent (80%) devoted to workers’ compensation. I represent employees who have been injured on the job. I have tried workers’ comp cases in 23 counties.
W. Scott Fuller
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog
Post Office Box 27808
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7808
(919) 828-5100
Fax: (919) 828-2277
E-mail: sfuller@cshlaw.com
W. Scott Fuller is a partner in the firm of Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog, L.L.P., in Raleigh, where his area of practice includes litigation, workers’ compensation defense, and insurance defense. Mr. Fuller received his B.A. degree in 1988, and his J.D. degree in 1992 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Holderness Moot Court Negotiation Team from 1990-1992. He is a member of the North Carolina and American Bar Associations.
JoAnn Z. Hartley,
RN, BSN, CCM, ABDA-D
The Hartley Group
P.O. Drawer 6222
Hickory, NC 28603
(828) 495-1058
Fax: (828) 495-3193
Education, Credentials and Certifications:
Florida State University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1964
Dean’s List; Graduate work in Health Education
Registered Nurse, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee
Certified Case Manager
American Board of Disability Analysts – Diplomate
Advisory Board member, North Carolina Pain Society
Certified Instructor, Chronic Pain, accredited by NC Dept. of Insurance
Faculty and Presenter, Southern Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting
Member, NCARIP, Charlotte, founding member, Hickory, NC Chapter
Member, Presbyterian Pain Therapy Community Advisory Committee
Past Member, Advisory Board, Carolina Medical Center/Rehab/Advantage
Work Experience:
The Hartley Group, 9/94 to present. Co-founder and Supervisor. Senior Rehabilitation Consultant and Certified Case Manager. Assess medical, vocational, and behavioral needs of referred injured patients; recommend and implement action plan for rehabilitation to obtain maximum medical potential and return to work; marketing duties and educational presentation; Supervise employees.
Southern Rehabilitation Network, Inc. August 1990 to 9/94. Senior Rehabilitation Consultant, Western Division. Duties as above.
The Rehab Center, Hickory and Charlotte, NC 1990, Patient Care Coordinator. Coordinate the patients’ care in both locations.
University of Miami Comprehensive Pain & Rehab Center, 1987 to 1990, Patient Care Coordinator, Out patient dept. Responsible for the administration, evaluation process and total outpatient treatment plan in a multi-disciplinary setting.
Career College of Business, Knoxville, TN, 1985, 1986. Medical Department head and Instructor.
Draughons Junior College, Knoxville, TN, 1985 to 1986, Medical Instructor.
Specialized Training:
Numerous medical, surgical, orthopedic, neurological, psychological, and nursing workshops and seminars, Occupational workshops, Vocational Education workshops, Allied Health and Occupations inservices, Chronic Pain Symposiums and Workshops.
Case Management Expertise:
Orthopedic, neurological, medical/surgical, psychological, pain management, medical management, counseling, chronic pain expert witness.
Education
Bachelor of Arts – Business Administration, 1986
Present Position
Branch Manager, 1993 to present
Certification
Registered Rehabilitation Service Worker, 1995-2000
Conditional Rehabilitation Provider – State of North Carolina
Case Management Experience
Career Counseling
Vocational Evaluation and Assessment
Job Development and Placement
Transferability of Skills Analysis
ADA Job Analysis and Job Modifications
Expert Testimony
Internal Return to Work Program Development
Product Line Experience
Workers’ Compensation
LTD/STD
Health Insurance
Auto Liability
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Labor
Professional Training
Manager’s Training, Home Office
Consultant Training, Home Office
Courses Completed: Errors & Omissions, Property/Casualty, Principles of Insurance, Basic Rehabilitation, Consultant Extension, Medical Guidelines of Analyzing Injury Claims, General Liability and Case Work Models, Workers’ Compensation, Long Term Disability, Health Insurance.
Prior Experience
Employment Consultant, Crawford & Company, 1991-1993
Master Chief Navy Counselor, United States Navy, Retired, 1972-1992.
Mark T. Sumwalt, born Rock Hill, South Carolina, April 2, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, North Carolina and South Carolina.
EDUCATION:
Davidson College - B.A. 1978
University of South Carolina - J.D. 1981.
MEMBER:
North Carolina Bar Association
Workers’ Compensation Section Council
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Workplace Litigation Injury Group
North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
Board of Governors, Benefactor, Workers Compensation Executive Committee
PERSONAL:
Born January 5, 1962 – Washington, D.C.
Married with three children, ages 10, 8 and 3.
EDUCATION:
University of North Carolina – B.S. – 1984
The College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law – J.D. 1987
PRIVATE PRACTICE:
Lewis & Roberts, P.L.L.C., Raleigh, North Carolina – May 1, 1997 to Present
Maupin, Taylor and Ellis, P.A., Raleigh, North Carolina – August, 1987 to April 30, 1997
AREA OF CONCENTRATION:
Workers’ Compensation
ASSOCIATIONS:
Wake County Bar Association
North Carolina Bar Association
North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
Lecturer on Workers’ Compensation for clients and North Carolina Continuing Legal Education seminars
Thomas Kern Carlton, III,
MD
Medical Director
The Rehab Center, Inc.
2710 East Seventh Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
EMPLOYMENT:
Medical Director: The Rehab Center
Medical Director: RehabPartners
EDUCATION:
Post-Graduate:
Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, 7/90-7/93
Chief Resident, 4/92-4/93
University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals, Roanoke, Virginia.
Internal Medicine Internship, 7/89-6/90
Resident Educational & Leadership Award, 1993
M.D. Wake Forest University, May 1989.
B.A. in Economics, Wake Forest University, May 1984, cum laude.
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION:
Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, May 1994.
Board Certified in Pain Medicine, February 1996 (American Academy of Pain Medicine)
Board of Medical Examiners, State of North Carolina, Number 53413
National Board of Medical Examiners, Number 37213
North Carolina License Department of Revenue, Number 060070712
CLINICAL ROTATIONS:
General Inpatient Rehabilitation: Medical College of Virginia
Spinal Cord Injury Inpatient Rehabilitation: MCV
General Inpatient Rehabilitation: Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
Outpatient Musculoskeletal & Amputee Rehabilitation: Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
American Medical Association
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Pain Society
North Carolina Medical Society
Mecklenburg Medical Society
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
AMA Physicians Recognition Award for Continuing Education
Sports Medicine Update: Roanoke, VA, 5/90
Northwestern University Prosthetics Course: Chicago, IL, 11/90
American Academy of PM&R: Washington, D.C., 11/91
Symposium on Musculoskeletal Disorders for the Primary Care Physician: Richmond, VA 4/92
Advanced Cardiac Life Support: Richmond, VA 8/92
Rheumatology for the Primary Care Physician: Williamsburg, VA 10/92
American Academy of PM&R: San Francisco, CA 11/92
American Academy of PM&R: Miami Beach, FL 11/93
American Pain Society, Orlando, FL 11/93
American Academy of PM&R: Anaheim, CA 10/94
American Pain Society, Miami Beach, FL 11/94
American Academy of Pain Medicine, Palm Springs, CA, 2/95
American Academy of PM&R: Orlando, FL, 11/95
American Academy of PM&R: Chicago, IL 10/96
American Academy of PM&R: Atlanta, GA 10/97
North American Spine Society/American Pain Society: Charleston, SC 4/98
Ohio State University Pain Management Course, CO, 3/99
Current Concepts in Acute, Chronic and Cancer Pain Management: New York, NY, 12/99
Ohio State University Pain Management Course, CO, 3/00
American Board of Independent Medical Examiner’s Review Course: Chicago, IL, 7/00
RELEVANT CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:
Team Physician Coverage for Clover Hill High School Football
Team Physician Coverage for NCAA Women’s Basketball
Weekend call coverage at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital
Preceptor for Department of PM&R at Carolinas Medical Center
ACADEMIC COMMITTEES:
MCV Due Process Committee
MCV Risk Management Committee
MCV House Staff Council
MCV PM&R Education Committee
MCV Neuroscience Committee
The Jernigan Law Firm
Post Office Box 847
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
(919) 833-1283
Fax: (919)
833-1059
Born Flint, Michigan on May 13, 1954 and admitted to Michigan Bar in 1981, North Carolina Bar in 1987.
Education: University of Michigan (B.A. 1976); Wayne State University (J.D. 1981)
Member: Wake County and North Carolina Bar Associations (Member, Joint Committee on the Medico-Legal Guidelines, 1996-97); North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers (Secretary, Workers’ Rights Section, 1994-97); The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Workplace Injury Litigation Group.
Practice Areas: Personal Injury Law; Workers’ Compensation Law.
Mr. Farah served on the Industrial Commission committee which helped develop the "NCIC Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professional in Workers Compensation Cases" and co-chaired the committee which worked on the revisions for 2000. He has presented at several educational programs for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers on various workers’ compensation topics, including the rehabilitation rules, trial return to work and appellate court case update. He participated in a mock trial at the Fourth Annual Rehabilitation and Case Management Educational Symposium (NCARIP and NCARPPS - March 1997) and on the revisions to the rules at the 2000 Symposium. He presented a paper on "The Role of Pain in Determining the Extent of Disability: A Patient’s Attorney’s Perspective" at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Southern Pain Society. He presented on the North Carolina workers’ compensation rehabilitation professional experience and medical privacy issues at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association seminar in May 2000.
Jeri Whitfield is a partner in the law firm of Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore, L.L.P., practicing in Greensboro, North Carolina. Her practice focuses on general civil litigation and workers’ compensation, handling cases before the trial and appellate courts and the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Ms. Whitfield is often a speaker on various workers’ compensation topics for continuing legal education seminars. She is listed in America’s Best Lawyers and Who’s Who Among American Lawyers.
She has served on the North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Committee and various committees of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Greensboro Bar Association, the Guilford Inn of Court, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys and Defense Research Institute. She is a member of the Women’s Professional Forum, where she has been co-chair of the Program Committee for many years.
Ms. Whitfield attended George Washington University and Duke Law Schools, receiving her Juris Doctor degree with honors from George Washington University in 1977, and received her B.S. Degree with Honors from Cornell University in 1972.
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Nursing, Bloomfield College, 1973
Registered Professional Nurse, Licensed in the State of North Carolina, Current, License Number 054027
Licensed in the State of South Carolina, Current, License Number 00070617
Certified Disability Management Specialist, 1985, Current, Certificate Number 02648
Certified Case Manager, 1993, Current, Certificate Number 00152
Certified Life Care Planner, 1996, Current, Certificate Number 0015
Certified Disability Analyst, 1996, Current, Certificate Number 2723-96
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Attendance at monthly NCARIP educational programs 1987 to present
Attendance at the Case Management Conference 1992, 1993 and 1998
Attendance at the National Head Injury Seminar 1993
Attendance at nine sessions of Catastrophic Life Care Planning Sessions, 1994-1996
Attendance at Human Resources Seminar for Administration of Employees, June 1995
Coordinated and attended NCARIP/NARPPS Symposium March 1994-2000
Attendance at quarterly NARPPS educational meetings, ongoing
Attendance at the annual Life Care Planning Educational Program for continuing education credits, 1997-2000
HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Graduated Cum Laude 1973
Gold Medal Winner, Intracorp, 1985, 1986, 1987
Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing 1992
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
President, Medical Case Manager and Life Care Planner, Armstrong & Associates, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989-Present
Manager, Rehabilitation Nurse, Fortis Corporation (CORVEL), Charlotte, North Carolina, 1988
Area Director, District Manager, Rehabilitation Nurse, Intracorp, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1980-1988
Clinical Director, Family Planning Clinic, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided outpatient family planning services, 1978-1980
Liaison Nurse, Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided education to catastrophic injured persons and their families, 1974-1978
Staff Nurse, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided primary care on medical surgical unit, 1974
Staff Nurse, Mountainside Hospital, Bloomfield, New Jersey; provided nursing care on a medical surgical unit 1972-1973
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Member of ALNC, Current
Member of IARP and NCARPPS, Current
Member of NCARIP, Current
President of NCARIP, 1992-1995
Secretary of NCARPPS, 1996-1998
Member at Large NCARIP, 1995-1996
Member of the Ad Hoc Committee writing Rehabilitation Guidelines in Worker’s Compensation, 1992-1993
Member of the Advisory Board and Advisory Committee to establish standards, ethics, and rules for rehabilitation providers in North Carolina, Current
Advisory Board Member, The Rehab Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1996
Advisory Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Center for Pain Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995-1997
Board Member, The North Carolina Pain Society, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995-1998
Board Member, Goodwill Industries, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1997-2000
Volunteer to Amethyst Treatment Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, over 75 hours of volunteer time given to assist professionals in addictions, 1981-1985
Blue Ribbon Panel Member, Commission on Disability Examiner Certification, Midlothian, Virginia, Current
Commissioner, Commission on Disability Examiner Certification, Midlothian, Virginia, 1998-2000
Council Member, Shepherd Center Corporate Council, Atlanta, Georgia, 1998-2000
Tri-Chairman, Rehabilitation Rules Revision Working Committee for the North Carolina Industrial Commission, 1999-2000
NCIC Rehabilitation Advisory Committee Member, North Carolina Industrial Commission Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2000-Current
Board Member, Secretary, EDUCATIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE, Charlotte, NC providing educational opportunities for rehabilitation professionals in a tri-state area annually, 1994-Current
President-Elect International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Carolina Chapter, 2001-2002
Edward E. Anderson, SCLA
I have been in the insurance business for 20+ years and have spent the last 5 ½ years in North Carolina.
Member of the North Carolina Insurance Information Exchange.
Experience:
StaffAmerica
Workers' Compensation Coordinator, Charlotte, NC, October 2000 to present
Duties: Responsible for management of Workers' Compensation claims for national self-insured program, including initial accident investigation, compensability decisions, medical management, return to work issues, subrogation pursuit, evaluation of claim exposure, identification of Second Injury Fund claims and pursuit of reimbursement from the Second Injury Fund, assisting defense counsel in defense and settlement negotiation of claims. Also responsible for monitoring ongoing claim activity, development of panel physicians for client work sites, educating new clients regarding workers' compensation claims, reporting and early management of injuries, as well as return to work programs.
Allied Claims Administration
Senior Claim Representative, Charlotte, NC, February 1998 to October 2000
Duties: Responsible for handling primarily North Carolina Workers’ Compensation claims for Third Party Administrator clients including accident investigation, subrogation investigation and recovery, compensability decisions, reserve evaluations, medical management, return to work issues, negotiation and settlement of cases, participation in legal proceedings, providing periodic claim reports to excess insurance carriers and managing general agents. Also responsible for making presentations for clients regarding Workers’ Compensation and the financial impact claims have on their experience modification and premiums, developing service plans for new clients, educating employees of clients regarding Workers’ Compensation rules and regulations, serving as a claims and computer software trainer and resource for co-workers.
EBI Companies
Claim Representative, Charlotte, NC, September 1996 to February 1998
Duties: Responsible for handling North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Workers’ Compensation claims including similar activities noted above. Duties also included identification of Second Injury Fund claims and pursuit of reimbursement from the Second Injury Fund. Also provided computer training for co-workers and offices in the Southeast Region.
Harleysville Insurance Company
Claim Representative, Charlotte, NC, January 1996 to September 1996
Duties: Responsible for handling North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia Workers’ Compensation claims including similar activities noted above. Also assisted clients in developing Managed Care Networks, including development of panel of physicians, presentations to clients regarding Managed Care and training for management in the appropriate usage of the network.
Aetna Property and Casualty
Claim Specialist, Charlotte, NC - October 1994 to January 1996 and Albany, NY – May 1993 to October 1994
Duties: Similar to those listed above, however, including New York State Workers’ Compensation and pursuing recovery of Second Injury Fund reimbursement. Also, in New York, participated in a Task Force assigned to developing solutions to workflow issues.
United Community Insurance Company
The Lawrence Group
Claim Representative, Albany, NY – January 1993 to May 1993
Duties: Similar to those listed above, however, included both New York and Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation claims.
Capital District Endocrine Associates
Medical Secretary, Albany, NY – February 1990 to June 1992
Duties: Responsible for medical transcription, surgical patient education and scheduling, patient billing. Also developed new office billing and charting forms for use within the practice.
Education
Tamarac High School
Troy, NY
Graduated Salutatorian
June 1989
Licenses and Certifications
Valid North and South Carolina Property and Casualty Adjuster’s License
Obtained October 1994
Associate in Claims – Completed May 1995
Professional Designations/Licenses:
ARM, Associate in Risk Management
SC Adjuster License
NC Adjuster License (in process)
Professional Training / Specialized Industry Training:
VA Commonwealth University, B.S. in Business, cum laude
Paralegal certification, 1993
Number of years of claim experience:
5 years
Line of Business Experience:
Workers’ Compensation – 7 years
Professional Experience:
Paralegal – workers’ compensation insurance defense in VA
Sr. Claims Representative – experience in handling claims, VA/NC/TN.
Type of Claims / Industry handled:
Workers’ Compensation claims for all lines of business (assigned risk, business market, national market, and TPA)
All nature of claims (i.e. occupational disease, quadriplegics, etc.); in all lines of industry (i.e. manufacturing, retail, trucking, construction, medical).
Kathy Goforth is a Senior Claims Adjuster for Tyson Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc. is self-insured, self-administered in Workers’ Compensation. She has worked for Tyson Foods, Inc. for twenty-one years. The last ten years she has handled Workers’ Compensation claims. During that time she has handled claims for various states, including Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina. Presently her major responsibility is for North Carolina and Michigan claims. She holds an Associate Degree in Claims for the Insurance Institute of American and an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science. Her work history includes positions in Personnel, both hourly and salaried, Insurance Accounting Clerk, and Administrative Assistance for the Vice President of Finance. She is presently serving as the Secretary for the Board of the North Carolina Association of Self-Insureds.
Joey Barnes a native of Statesville, North Carolina, earned a BA and JD from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has been a member of the North Carolina State Bar since 1986 and the District of Columbia Bar since 1989. After graduating law school, Barnes served as law clerk to Chief Judge Gerald Arnold of the N.C. Court of Appeals from 1986 to 1987.
After finishing his clerk position, Barnes next worked for the Department of Labor in Washington D.C. as a staff attorney for a two-year period. In 1989 he joined the North Carolina Industrial Commission as a Deputy Commissioner and adjudicated cases under the NC Tort Claims Act and Workers’ Compensation Act until 1994, when he was selected to serve on a special panel of the Full Commission for a six-month period, deciding appeal at the Deputy Commissioner level.
Barnes left the Commission in 1995 to conduct private medications on a full-time basis. Barnes is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and has trained with Dispute Management Inc. of Orlando Florida. He is a member of the Dispute Resolution Section of the NC Bar Association and has participated in several seminars concerning mediation. Barnes has conducted over 1000 workers’ compensation mediation conferences.
Henry G. Byrum, Jr., born in Monroe, North Carolina, July 17, 1953. Admitted to bar, 1981, North Carolina and Georgia.
Education:
Wingate College (A.A., with honors, 1973); University of North Carolina at Charlotte (B.A. with honors, 1975); Auburn University (M.A., 1977); Mercer University (J.D., cum laude, 1981). Phi Theta Kappa, pi Sigma Alpha. Member, North Carolina and Mecklenburg County Bar Associations; North Carolina State Bar; North Carolina and Mecklenburg County Barn Associations; North Carolina State Bar; North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys; Defense Research Institute. Member, Advisory Council, Workers Compensation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Practice Areas:
Workers compensation and related matters. Mr Byrum has lectured extensively on workers’ compensation issues to employers, insurance, medical, and legal groups, including the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Continuing Legal Education Program for the Wake Forest University School of Law. Mr. Byrum has mediated hundreds of cases for the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Deborah L. Nowachek is a full-time DRC certified mediator from Goldsboro, NC. She received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago and her law degree from John Marshall Law School and is licensed to practice law in the states of Illinois and North Carolina.
Ms. Nowachek has been a certified mediator since September 1994. Her mediation practice focuses primarily on employment related conflicts. She serves on the Commercial Panel and Roster of Employment Neutrals for the American Arbitration Association. She currently edits the NCBA Dispute Resolution Section Newsletter and serves on the Dispute Resolution Section Council. She is a member of the Illinois Bar Association; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; North Carolina Bar Association; N.C.B.A. Committee Member - North Carolina Lawyer’s Referral Service, Worker’s Rights Initial Committee; NC Center for Nonprofits; and Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution.
In her former life as a litigator she represented both management and employees in employment law matters, including EEOC, OSHA, ADA, FMLA, employment contracts, and severance packages. She had successfully represented employees in various Title VII litigation issues, including age, race, gender, sexual harassment and retaliation claims. She frequently lectured to management and human resources professionals on current issues in employment law during her in-house employment.
Deborah P. Stamey
Deborah has 21 years in the Insurance Industry, 7 years in field support and 14 years claims adjusting, handling Workers’ Compensation claims for both Carriers and Third Party Administrators. Licensed in both NC and SC.
Scott M. Taylor is a sole practitioner in Research Triangle Park. He is a certified mediator with a concentration in workers’ compensation. Mr. Taylor served as a Deputy Commissioner with the North Carolina Industrial Commission from 1986 to 1996. Mr. Taylor is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, and is a member of the Workers’ Compensation, Dispute Resolution and the International Law Sections of the North Carolina Bar Association. He received his B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976, and his J.D. degree from Campbell University School of Law in 1981.
EDUCATION
BA Business Management, 1982, N.C. State University
BA Economics, 1984, N.C. State University
JD, summa cum laude, 1988, N.C. Central University
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Taft, Taft and Haigler, Greenville, North Carolina. 1988-1994.
Job duties were to represent injured workers in accident and occupational
disease Workers’ Compensation claims before the Industrial Commission. For
the first 3 years of employment, I also represented claimants for Social
Security Disability claims.
Michaels and Jones, Raleigh, North Carolina. 1994-1999.
Job duties were the representation of injured workers in injury and
byssinosis occupational disease Workers’ Compensation claims.
Wallace and Graham, Salisbury, North Carolina. 1999-2000.
Job duties were the representation of injured workers in Workers’
Compensation claims, including silicosis, asbestos and byssinosis
occupational disease cases.
James S. Walker, Attorney at Law / Certified Mediator. 2000-present
Since receiving certification in 2000, I have limited my practice to
Workers’ Compensation mediations in Central and Western North Carolina.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
North Carolina State Bar, 1988
Dispute Resolution Commission Mediation Certification, 2000
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
North Carolina Bar Association - elected to Council Membership.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Martindale-Hubbell: A/V
LAW SCHOOL HONORS
Am Jur Book Award for highest grade in Torts I, Torts II, Professional
Responsibility, Real Estate Finance, Commercial Law II. Law Journal. Class
Salutatorian. Deans’ list Spring 1986, Fall 1986, Spring 1987, Fall 1987,
Spring 1988. Juris Doctor awarded summa cum laude.
EDUCATION:
University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. 1983
Wake Forest University, B.S. summa cum laude 1980
Double Major: Mathematics and Greek
HONORS:
Order of the Coif, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and Mortar Board honor societies, Carswell Scholarship, 1980 M.D. Phillips Prize (outstanding graduating senior in the classical languages), Raynor Scholarship (outstanding senior mathematics student), Graduation Speaker, 1980 June P. Galloway Award (presented to a North Carolina scholar-athlete for achievement in athletics, scholarship and leadership), 1980 Marie James Post-Graduate Scholarship (presented by Atlantic Coast Conference to a senior scholar-athlete), 1980 Wake Forest outstanding female athlete, 1995 inductee to Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.
EMPLOYMENT:
(formerly Robinson Maready Lawing & Comerford)
Robinson & Lawing, L.L.P.
370 Knollwood Street, Suite 600
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
April 1992-Present: Partner
Petree Stockton & Robinson
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
September 1983 - January 1, 1990: Associate
January 1, 1990 – April 1992; Partner
Primary area of practice – civil litigation,
With emphasis on employment law, insurance defense and workers’
Compensation
Martindale-Hubbell Rating – AV
PROFESSIONAL:
Forsyth County, North Carolina and America Bar Associations, North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, N.C. Bar Association Workers Compensation Section (Vice-Chairman).
Jane C. Jackson is a partner in the Winston-Salem law firm of Robinson & Lawing. She specializes in civil litigation, with an emphasis on workers’ compensation, employment law and tort defense litigation. Ms. Jackson represents insurance carriers and self-insured employers before the Industrial Commission through North Carolina, and is a regular lecturer at workers’ compensation and employment law seminars. She received her undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Wake Forest University in 1980 and her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1983. Ms. Jackson is a member of the Workers’ Compensation and Litigation Sections of the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, Defense Research Institute, and the Forsyth County and American Bar Associates.
Leonard T. Jernigan, Jr. was reared in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Deerfield Academy (‘68) in Deerfield, Massachusetts; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (‘72), and North Carolina Central University School of Law (‘76). He is in private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina with The Jernigan Law Firm and limits his practice to workers’ compensation, personal injury and toxic torts (asbestos litigation).
He is the author of North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law and Practice, which was first published by the Harrison Company in 1988; past Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Injury Section of the Association of Trial Lawyers of American (ATLA), and is president-elect of The Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG), a national workers’ compensation attorney organization. He serves as the plaintiffs’ liaison to the N.C. Industrial Commission’s Advisory Council and is vice-chair of the N.C. Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section. He is also a member of the workers’ compensation panel of attorneys for the National Football League Players’ Association.
He writes a column on workers’ rights for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, and serves on the Editorial Board of Trial Briefs, the Academy’s legal publication. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and is admitted to practice in all of the Federal District Courts of North Carolina, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Between 1991-1997 he served on the Board of Governors of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, and is a past member of the Wake County Bar Association’s Board of Directors. He is a former adjunct professor of law at North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Mr. Jernigan has written numerous articles and lectured on various topics related to personal injury litigation. He has represented numerous cotton textile workers who developed byssinosis, or brown lung disease, and is involved in representing asbestos victims.
In 1988 he represented a husband and wife who had been harassed by an unscrupulous debt collector, and obtained the largest punitive damage jury verdict ever reported in North Carolina on this type of case.
In February of 1989 he represented the estate of a deceased asbestos insulation worker in a wrongful death claim. The federal jury in Greensboro returned a verdict in favor of the estate, the first asbestos verdict in North Carolina history. He also represented the plaintiff’s estate in Turner v. Duke University, the first case in North Carolina interpreting Rule 11 of the Rules of Civil Procedure which was designed to prohibit bad faith litigation tactics.
He is a former vestry member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Raleigh, and is the past president of the Friends of the N. C. Museum of Natural Sciences. He is married and has two daughters, ages 16 and 13. He enjoys golf, tennis, and snow skiing and is a former coach and player in the Capital Area Soccer League.
Nancy Baker Stewart, MS, CRC, LPC
EDUCATION:
Master of Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Counseling, 1975 Bachelor of Arts in Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1971.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
1997 to Present Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Supervisor, Key Risk Management Services formerly BerkleyCare, Inc. P.O. Box 49129, Greensboro, NC 27419.
1984 to 1997 President, The Baker Group, Inc.
Provided disability management services to business and industry; vocational assessment, case management; counseling and job placement; vocational expert testimony.
1983 to 1984 Regional Supervisor, Natlsco Rehabilitation Management
Supervised nurses and vocational specialists in the state of Florida; marketed services to risk and claims managers; and provided direct services.
1982 to 1983 Management Consultant to the Metrolina Independent Living Center, Charlotte, NC.
1978 to 1982 Unit Manager, NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, NC.
Administered program of services to clients and had fiscal responsibility for case service budgets; supervised professional and support staff.
1972 to 1978 Rehabilitation Counselor for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Provided counseling and job placement assistance to clients; and coordinated medical services.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Licensed Professional Counselor, No. 194; N.C. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, No. 17132; Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
National Certified Counselor
Diplomate, American Board of Vocational Experts, No. 200212
AFFILIATIONS:
Member, National Association of Rehabilitation Professionals in the Private Sector
President of the NC Chapter, 1995-1996; Secretary, 1998-2000.
Member, Americans with Disabilities Act Committee, City of Sanford
PRESENTATIONS:
12/5/97 "The Vocational Expert’s Perspective on Social Security Disability Claims"
North Carolina Bar Foundation Seminar on Winning Social Security Cases,
Greensboro, North Carolina
10/10/97 "Vocational Rehabilitation Considerations in Workers’ Compensation’ State Government Workers’ Compensation Program Workshops Raleigh, North Carolina
2/7/92 "The Vocational Expert", North Carolina Bar Foundation Seminar on Workers’ Compensation, Greensboro, North Carolina
4/7/91 "Rehabilitation Strategies to Return Injured Workers to the Labor Market" Fieldcrest-Cannon, Inc., Greensboro, North Carolina
5/11/90 "Current Practices in Vocational Rehabilitation as Related to Whitley and Gupton Decisions’, North Carolina Bar Foundation, RTP, North Carolina
10/31/89 "The Role of the Rehabilitation Counselor in Industry’
Cone Mills Workers’ Compensation Management Seminar, Greensboro, North Carolina
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Serve as Impartial Hearing Officer in client grievance appeal hearings for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Division of Services for the Blind.
Vocational Expert Witness for Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearings and Appeals since 1986.
Served on the NC Industrial Commission’s Committee assigned to develop Guidelines for Rehabilitation Specialists in 1995 and on the Committee to review proposed changes in the Guidelines in 1999 and 2000.
Currently serve on the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee to the NC Industrial Commission (6/2000 to 6/2001)
Secretary and Board Member, Lee County Industries, 1993 to 1996
Judy LaBuda, attorney with LaBuda & Goulart, LLC, Boulder, Colorado. Practice focuses on disability and employment, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act, as well as Family Law.
EDUCATION:
Juris Doctor, Class of 1992
University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, COGPA 88.60 Class Rank: Top five percent, 5/165 – Order of the Coif
Activities: *Legal Aid and Defender Program Civil Division, Intake Interviewer and Student Attorney;
*Tutor, Law School Diversity Program – Civil Procedure;
*Tutoring Coordinator, Law School Diversity Program.
Master of Science, Rehabilitation Psychology
Emphasis on vocational rehabilitation
Honors: Graduated with high honors
Additional graduate studies: Rehabilitation counseling course work in the United Kingdom.
Bachelor of Arts, Rehabilitation Education
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Honors: Graduated with high honors
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
*National Association of Rehabilitation Practitioners in the Private Sector;
*President, Wisconsin Youth Association for Retarded Citizens, 1976-1977;
*Executive Board of Directors, Wisconsin Youth Association for Retarded Citizens, 1975-1977;
*National Board, National Youth Association for Retarded Citizens, 1976-1977;
*Board of Directors and Area Coordinator, Wisconsin Special Olympics, 1975-1977;
*President, Health Care Law Society, University of Colorado, 1991-1992;
*Conducted over 150 training sessions for rehabilitation professionals in the areas of vocational
rehabilitation process, legal and ethical issues in rehabilitation, expert witness work and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1984-present;
*Conducted 20-25 continuing legal education seminars for attorneys on the Americans With
Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the use of vocational experts;
*Co-chair, Boulder County Bar Association Employment Law Section, 1993-1995.
*Co-chair, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Employment Practice Group, 1997-1998
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:
*Admitted to practice in Colorado in October, 1992 #22130
*Admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Colorado in 1993
*Qualified Rehabilitation Counselor
*Certified Rehabilitation Counselor #15844
ACHIEVEMENTS:
*Wisconsin Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service
*University of Colorado Legal Aid Award
*University of Colorado Trial Advocacy Award
*University of Colorado Advanced Trial Advocacy Award
Richard Pimentel is a national renowned expert on job retention, attitude change in the workplace, return to work, workers’ compensation, and cost containment. His vast and penetrating knowledge about issues related to disability and people of difference is communicated with humor and conviction.
As a consultant, keynote speaker, professional trainer and author of numerous curricula and training guides, Richard Pimentel is distinguished by his ability to predict industry trends and the needs of employers. He has designed and implemented return to work systems for the private sector and government employers throughout the country. He has pioneered proactive risk management, return to work and equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs to generate both cost-savings and enduring attitudinal changes in corporate culture.
Richard Pimentel is an acknowledged authority on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). His training has not only successfully enabled managers and supervisors to participate in cost reduction initiatives and implementation of policies and procedures to reduce work site accidents and re-injury, but has also helped employers dispel stereotypes and embrace diversity.
Nationally acclaimed publications authored by Richard Pimentel include: Developing the New Employee: Retaining and Enhancing a Diverse Workforce, The Taking Control Process: Beyond Light Duty, The Workers’ Compensation ADA Connection, and The Return to Work Process: A Case Management Approach. He has also produced award winning training videos Return to Work for Employees and Supervisors, and Taking Control: The Workers’ Compensation Return to Work Connection.
Uniquely able to facilitate communication between disparate groups and individuals, Richard Pimental offers powerful training and consultation for personnel engaged in planning and development, human resources, health and safety, risk management and benefits administration. In addition to custom-tailored training, his tremendously popular seminars address a variety of employment issues including:
Retaining and Enhancing a Diverse Workforce
QUALIFICATIONS:
Over twenty years of professional and management experience in the field of Rehabilitation and Managed Care with specific emphasis on workplace injury, Long Term Disability management and Consultant to Private and Governmental entities in all phases of worker injury rehabilitation.
Experienced in the development of Return to Work Programs, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, Employee Assistance programs, Long Term and Short Term Disability and Liability Insurance, and Worker Compensation. Developed LTD/STD integration programs.
Recognized as an expert in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation by numerous State and Federal Jurisdictions, with actual testimony experience in over 2,500 cases. Specialized knowledge of the Social Security Administration process for determining disability.
Business management experience in the establishment and development of location offices, staff recruitment and retention, training and development. Responsibilities include personnel evaluation, wage and salary administration. Equal Employment Opportunity oversight. OSHA compliance, benefits administration, budgeting and business development.
WORK HISTORY:
1983-Present – Branch Manager, Crawford & Company
Founding manager for the first branch office of the Disability Management Division in North Carolina. Established office location and conducted market analysis and implemented sales plan resulting in the sustained growth and expansion of services throughout Central and Eastern North Carolina. Recruited and trained professional and administrative staff. Conducted office site identification, negotiated leases, purchases equipment and performed all activity necessary to establish locations in five cities.
Supervise medical case managers and vocational consultants to assure quality service delivery. Maintain an active caseload of clients and provide job development, job analysis, job placement and follow-up services to insure successful return to work.
1981-1983 – Consultant in Charge, Crawford & Company
Initially joining Crawford as a Vocational Consultant in Savannah, Georgia, was promoted in ten months to the supervisory position responsible for the operation of a satellite office in Valdosta Georgia. Responsible for the supervision of office and professional staff, recruitment, interviewing and recommending hiring of staff. In addition to providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to injured workers, was charged with sales and customer relations activity, office administration, and supervision of company car fleet.
Direct professional services included assessment, rehabilitation plan development and implementation, including retraining and job placement of injured workers, work site evaluation for job modification, expert testimony, and provision of services under specific laws governing injured employees of the U.S. Government and those covered by the Worker Compensation Laws of Georgia and Florida.
1977-1981 – Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, N C Division Vocational Rehabilitation.
Provided full array of professional services aimed at the rehabilitation and return to productive employment of persons with disabilities. Experienced in dealing with mental, emotional, physical and substance abuse impairments. Services included assessment, determination of eligibility, rehabilitation plan development and implementation, and Job placement services designed to transition clients to the work setting. Also served as job development coordinator, providing assistance to other counselors in placing client utilizing networking and job banks established for the agency.
EDUCATION:
1976-1977 – Master of Arts, Counselor Education/Psychology Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
1970-1974 - Bachelor of Social Work, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Specialized Training:
Management, Rehabilitation, Worker Compensation, Liability, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Programs, Americans with Disabilities Act. Internal Return to Work Programs, Sales Management, Personnel Management and related courses.
Certifications/Licensure/Consultative Arrangements
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Certified Disability Management Specialist
Vocational Expert, Social Security Administration*
Employee Assistance Professional*
Rehabilitation Counselor, U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Worker Compensation Programs*
NC Department Human Resources – Office of Hearings and Appeals
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
*Inactive-renewal eligible
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Internet Address: http://www.comp.state.nc.us/