Editor’s Note: The Workers' Compensation Institute's 68th annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference will be held Aug. 18-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This article is part of a series highlighting some of the events at the conference.

The National Association of Workers' Compensation Judiciary (NAWCJ) is the only organization by adjudicators for adjudicators in the world of workers’ compensation. The NAWCJ publishes a monthly newsletter which is distributed to about 1,000 adjudicators, commissioners and judges across the continent.

The annual college in 2012 drew almost 100 adjudicators from across the country, from more than 18 states. In 2013, the NAWCJ will present its fifth annual continuing educational program, the Judiciary College, in Orlando. This effort is the culmination of months of work by a diverse curriculum committee including judges from Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland and more.

This collegial gathering will include a multitude of opportunities for adjudicators to hear about the litigation process as it has evolved in a variety of jurisdictions. The opportunities to discern how jurisdictions are similar and how they differ are invaluable.

In 2013, the available curriculum will include evidence for adjudicators, effective judicial writing, a comparative law panel, objective medical evidence and appropriate medical documentation, adjudicator ethics, a roundtable discussion of how medical claims are decided, a program on security for adjudicators and hearings and a foreshadowing of the impacts Obamacare may have on workers’ compensation. The entire curriculum is detailed in the March 2013 issue of Lex and Verum.

This action-packed program will be presented during three days: Monday, Aug. 19; Tuesday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Aug. 21 in conjunction with the 68th Annual Workers’ Compensation Institute Educational Conference. The venue is the Orlando Marriott World Center.

The curriculum includes Professor Matthew Steffey from Mississippi College, Judge Kurt Engelhardt from the U.S. District Court in New Orleans, Judge Gerry Lebovits from the New York Civil Court, Dr. James McClusky from University of South Florida and Commissioner Roger Williams from Virginia. In addition, adjudicators from a multitude of jurisdictions and perspectives will attend and participate. These participants and lecturers will bring a great diversity of geography and perspective.

There are programs across the country that provide a modicum of perspective for adjudicators. There are even judicial education programs sponsored in jurisdictions for civil and criminal judges specifically. The focus of the NAWCJ, however, is the spectrum of specific issues faced by workers’ compensation adjudicators, and the skills needed to effectively address those issues.

The success of the NAWCJ results from the vision of its leadership, the focus of its efforts and the contributions of a vast and diverse membership from across America. The interaction and collegiality of NAWCJ members provides a unique opportunity for adjudicators to share experiences, commiserate regarding challenges and formulate techniques and plans to provide better adjudication services.

The NAWCJ is grateful for the contributions of Judge Sheral Kellar (Louisiana), Judge James Szablewicz (Virginia), Commissioner Karl Aumann (Maryland), Commissioner Stephen Farrow (Georgia) and the entire NAWCJ Board for their efforts in maintaining this organization generally, and in coordinating Judiciary College 2013 specifically.