Jacqueline Blanton Steele graduated with honors from FSU College of Law in 1994. She spent twenty-five years as a defense attorney and shareholder in the law firm of McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Weaver & Stern, PA. In 2020, she was appointed to the county court bench in Manatee County, Florida where she currently serves. Judge Steele chairs… read more

Howard obtained his JD with Honors from Florida State University. After clerking at a District Court of Appeals, he practiced with several insurance defense firms before starting a law practice representing injured workers. Mr. Scheiner was appointed as Judge of Workers’ Compensation Claims in 1995. Judge Scheiner obtained his certification as a Circuit Civil Mediator… read more

Judge Lewis has been privileged to serve the people of Florida for the past thirty-five years. He has lectured extensively in the area of workers’ compensation law for The Florida Bar, voluntary associations and other legal organizations. Judge Lewis has also served as a moot court judge for legal competitions. In 2015, Judge Lewis was… read more

Judge Kerr was appointed as a Judge of Compensation claims in 2013. Prior to her appointment, she practiced as a workers’ compensation attorney in Miami for twenty years. Judge Kerr is a regular speaker and presenter at educational panels on Workers’ Compensation law and has a particular interest in promoting and mentoring emerging leaders to… read more

Wayne Johnson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School. He has practiced workers’ compensation law since 1992. He became board-certified in workers’ compensation by the State of Florida in 1998. He handles state claims, longshore/defense base act claims and claims under the Federal Employees Compensation Act. Since 2012, his… read more

Judge Grindal graduated from Wake Forest University in 1991. He graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1998, where he was placed on the Dean’s list for six semesters, received the Book Award in Workers’ Compensation Law, and graduated in the top 10% of his class. Judge Grindal is Board Certified… read more

Robert Grace is an equity partner in the Florida based law firm of Bleakley Bavol Denman & Grace. His defense practice includes workers’ compensation, personal injury and other casualty litigation. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and subsequently received his LL.M from Boston University School of Law. His firm… read more

Geoff Bichler is founder and managing partner of Bichler & Longo and has represented First Responders in Florida for over thirty years. His firm played a prominent role in significant cases involving cardiac, PTSD, cancer, and repetitive trauma injuries for First Responders. Geoff spends much of his time in Tallahassee supporting legislation specific to First… read more

William H. Rogner was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 14, 1965. “Bill” was a 1987 honors graduate of the Warrington School of Business Administration at the University of Florida. He went on to the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law where he graduated, again with honors, in 1990. While at the University… read more

Mr. Longo is a partner in the Orlando office. A native Floridian, Mr. Longo has spent his legal career representing Florida’s injured, specializing in the representation of law enforcement and fire fighters. Mr. Longo received his BA from the University of Alabama and JD from St. Thomas University School of Law.

Jeffrey I. Jacobs, a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, is a Florida Judge of Compensation Claims. He previously practiced workers’ compensation law. Judge Jacobs served as Chair of The Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Section, President of the Richard A. Sicking Inn of Court, and as a chair and a member of numerous other state and local… read more