The fourth OJCC Academy was presented on October 23, 2026, in Orlando. The first was presented on May 19, 2023. That one drew such interest that we could not accommodate all the potential attendees. The steering committee elected to produce a command performance in October 2023, in Tampa.
The timing of that encore was more conducive. The Academy programs since have all been in the fall, in Orlando. In all, more than 150 young(er) lawyers, recently joining the workers' compensation practice, have attended and benefited from this program. The list of paralegals who have benefited is similarly growing.
The 2026 outing was another rousing success. That is due to the investment of the speakers and our volunteer steering committee:
- Hon. Natalie Cavallaro*
- S. Rachel Givens
- Hon. Thomas Hedler
- Hon. Margret Kerr*
- Lindsay Koppelman*
- Javier Melendez*
- Hon. John Moneyham
- Hon. Neal Pitts*
- Lisa Ann Thomas
- Elizabeth Yohe
Special recognition to those who have been a part of this now for all five iterations, denoted with an asterisk. Throughout, we have added new talent and been blessed by enthusiasm and steadfast support. Among our Steering Committee emeritus are Ana Gonzalez-Fajardo and Tara Pachter. It is anticipated that more will rotate to the Emeritus status, and new members will join the committee for 2027! Email me (david.langham@doah.state.fl.us) if you are interested in participating in the committee or attending the program in 2027.
The list of speakers is more challenging. I have combed through many documents and tried to distill an accurate list. Unfortunately, life happens, and there may be a last-minute substitution or two.
Several Steering Committee members have spoken at all events, but there has been a conscious effort to rotate others and afford opportunities to as many as practical (I spoke at only one). Therefore, the following list is likely incomplete. I encourage you to correct me if I have overlooked someone.
- Neil Ambekar (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)*
- Catharine Frances Agacinski (2023)
- Holley Akers (2023)
- Eduardo Almeyda (2023)
- Hon. Wilbur Anderson (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Amanda Annunciata (2026)
- Hon. Brian Anthony (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Hon. Robert Arthur (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Courtney Collins Bahe (2023)
- Caitlin Beyl (2023)
- John Paul Brooks (2023)
- Jessica Carrier (2023)
- Andrew Bucher (2026)
- Hon. Barbara Case (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Natalie Cavallaro (2023, 2024)
- Eric Christianson (2025)
- Aime DeGuzman (2023, 2025)
- Ken Erhlich (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Linda Farrell (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Angela Flynn (2026)
- Iliana Forte (2025)
- Lizzette Francisco (2025)
- Amy Gartland (2025)
- Karen Gilmartin (2023)
- Rachel Givens (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Ana Gonzalez-Fajardo (2023, 2024)
- Kristen Gottfried (2023)
- Bryan R. Greenberg (2024)
- Hon. Erik Grindal (2026)
- Heather Hatch (2026)
- Hon. Thomas Hedler (2025)
- Kenneth Hesser (2025, 2026)
- Hon. Kimberly Hill (2024, 2026)
- Eric Hires (2025)
- Silvia Maria Hoeg (2023, 2024)
- Hon. Ralph Humphries (2024)
- Gina Jacobs (2024, 2025)
- Jill Jacobs (2023, 2024, 2026)
- Daniel Todd Jaffe (2023)
- Hon. Gregory Johnsen (2026)
- Margret Kerr (2024, 2025)
- Lindsey Koppelman (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- David Langham (2023)
- Stacy Laskin (2025)
- Hon. Daniel Lewis (2025)
- Paolo Longo (2024)
- John Lusko (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Olga Martin (2024)
- Ryan Michael Knight (2023)
- Hon. Sylvia Medina Shore (2023, 2025, 2026)
- Javier Melendez (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Celia Mendez (2026)
- Gary Alan Miller (2023)
- Hon. John Moneyham (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Ivan P Morales (2023)
- Hon. Jacquelyn Newman (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Yosue Ochoa (2025)
- Tara Pachter (2023)
- Hon. James Peterson (2023)
- Hon. Neal Pitts (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Randall T. Porcher (2023)
- Barbara Richard (2023)
- Robert M. Rivera (2024)
- Jesse Rowe (2026)
- Grethel San Miguel-Callejas (2023, 2024)
- Hon. Lourdes Sancerni (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Howard Scheiner (2025)
- Kelley Shoemaker (2024)
- Hon. Megan Silver (2023)
- Brandon Silver (2024)
- Carolyn Slowikowski (2023)
- Hon. Timothy Stanton (2023)
- Lisa Thomas (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Erin Thorne (2024)
- Dawn Traverso (2023)
- Hon. Jonathan Walker (2026)
- Nisha Waranch (2024)
- Billy Weiland (2025)
- Hon. Jack Weiss (2026)
- Timothy Wilson (2026)
- Elizabeth Yohe (2025, 2026)
- Hon. Rita Young (2023, 2024)
It is also worthy to note that the Academy is responsible for the Hon. Robert J. Dietz Emerging Professional Award. Judge Dietz was the consummate mentor. He maintained a drive for and pursuit of professionalism through years of litigation, mediation, education, and adjudication experience. It is a point of pride that we have awarded the following young(er) attorneys with this recognition based upon judicial observation and nomination:
- Meredith McAvoy (2023)
- Bryan Greenberg (2024)
- Natalie Cavallaro (2025)
- Javier Melendez (2026)
In 2025, the Steering Committee concluded that there was a parallel need for paralegal training and education. The OJCC Masterclass made its debut that year. This program has featured the following speakers:
- Neal Ambekar (2025)
- Hon. Barbara Case (2025)
- Susan Berman (2026)
- Natalie Cavallaro (2026)
- Aime DeGuzman (2025)
- Rachel Givens (2026)
- Kristin Gottfried (2026)
- Peonca Grier (2025)
- Hon. Thomas Hedler (2025, 2026)
- Julie Hunsaker (2025, 2026)
- Hon. Margret Kerr (2025)
- Javier Melendez (2026)
- Hon. John Moneyham (2025, 2026)
- Hon. Neal Pitts (2025)
- Ursula Remy (2026)
- Jesse Rowe (2026)
- Hon. Lourdes Sancerni (2026)
- Lisa Thomas (2026)
- Tammy White (2025)
In all, I am grateful. First, to the Steering Committee for hours of hard work, seemingly endless planning meetings, promotion, publication, preparation, and so much more. Second, to the lawyers and paralegals who come to the program seeking development and growth. There is great value in lifelong education, and we appreciate you taking advantage of the opportunity.
Finally, to the firms that allowed their attorneys and paralegals this opportunity. That demonstrates an interest in that growth and education. Bravo.
* corrected 10.31.26, thanks Mr. Ambekar.