The 2025 OJCC Academy in Orlando was another monumental success. There is great value in this annual program that has now touched more than 100 young(er) workers' compensation attorneys. Why is this such a critical program? In short, it is professionalism and personal growth.
The Academy offers insight into professionalism, evidence, procedure, document preparation, and mediation, as well as interaction, networking, and mentoring opportunities. It is a live program that is presented free of charge to the attendees at the Orlando district office.
I reflected this year on professionalism as I considered the attendance on October 24. The registration opens for this program each spring, and word spreads rapidly. We have never struggled to find attorneys interested in attending. The interest is so significant that we often have to stop confirming applicants and start a "stand by list."
Those are all positive signs that the program is efficacious and useful. But, each year we have produced this program, we have experienced "no shows." That is to be expected and is not in itself troubling. There will always be instances when life gets in the way of the best-laid plans. Illness, family, and urgency will be a part of everyone's life.
This year, because of the no-shows in the past, we made contact with the registrants the week before. We were grateful to have some advise us of their changed circumstances and inability. But we did not hear back from all. The morning of the program, we had a few who were still expected, but who did not appear.
What is troubling, with the program's and community's focus on professionalism, is the no-shows that do not send an email or make a phone call to notify that they will not attend. Each year, we have attorneys who do not contact us, either in advance or retrospectively, to explain. They simply do not appear.
Much planning and preparation go into the program. There is food and beverages to order, name tags to personalize, printed material to produce, and more. Much sweat and tears are invested. The entire process has an underlying theme of building community and engagement. The Academy committee is focused on so much "what," and there is emphasis on being prepared for the "how many."
And there is that standby list. Attorneys are waiting, hoping, and yet we cannot confirm due to our space. Those who no-show hold a place they do not use.
Whether it is a reservation for dinner, a continuing education seminar, or lunch with a friend, it is appropriate to notify someone that you will not attend. If you persistently stand up friends or family for lunches, you may find yourself invited less frequently. If you no-show for restaurant reservations, you may find it harder to make them. And if you do not appear at professional gatherings, you may be seen as unprofessional.
That is somewhat self-contradictory, failing to appear as promised at a professionalism program? There is a paradox in that. The program is designed to enhance professionalism, and yet some fail to appear without even the courtesy of an email notification. That is admittedly troubling.
Nonetheless, this post is to express our gratitude and congratulations to all who attended. And to thank the team responsible for producing the program and its success: Judges Thomas Hedler, Margret Kerr, John Moneyham, Neal Pitts, mediator Lisa Thomas, attorneys Natalie Cavallaro, Rachel Givens, Lindsay Koppleman, Javier Melendez Santiago, and Elizabeth Yohe.
For months, this group meets, discusses, and plans. They adjust curricula, they evaluate and vet speakers, and they go above and beyond to make the Academy all it can be for the leaders of tomorrow. We are grateful to them all and congratulate them on another stellar rendition of the OJCC Academy. See you next year?