What is the OJCC Academy?

By Judge Jonathan Walker

OJCC Academy. In this interactive program, newer lawyers with less than seven years’ experience learn how to prosecute or defend a workers’ compensation case before a JCC. Classes are taught by OJCC judges and experienced trial attorneys in small groups of fewer than ten attorneys.

The Academy provides 6 hours of continuing education in:

    Professionalism

    Memoranda, Pretrial and Trial Preparation

    Petitions, Motions, and Settlements

    Mediations

    Evidence

    A judicial roundtable with Q&A

This program has been conducted 3 times

In 2025 a second program, one-half day for non-lawyers, was added and named the OJCC Paralegal Masterclass. This is designed for better understanding of process and procedure and includes components on:

    The 60Q Rules of Procedure

    Settlements and Stipulations

    Electronic Filing

    Ethics, Professionalism, and the UPL

Special Thanks to all of our instructors and volunteers, but particularly our Academy Steering Committee:

Natalie Cavallaro, Esq.

S. Rachel Givens, Esq.

Lindsay Koppelman, Esq.

Javier Melendez, Esq.

Lisa Thomas, Esq.

Elizabeth Yohe, Esq.

Hon. Thomas Hedler

Hon. Margret Kerr

Hon. John Moneyham

Hon. Neal Pitts

Learn more about the other OJCC programming for more experienced attorneys and community leaders in workers' compensation, the OJCC Scholars.