The Florida community has lost a leader and respected jurist. Judge William Johnson passed recently.
There have been a few people who have adjudicated workers' compensation claims in Florida, about 260 over the last 90 years. Many were here only briefly until the position became full-time in 1961. The adjudicators were employed by the Florida Industrial Commission, three members who largely held partisan roles. We saw the judges move to the Department of Commerce in 1969, then to Labor. The transition to Commerce saw appellate review shift to the short-lived Industrial Relations Commission that was abolished in 1979.
There is much to the history, and only part of the story has been told in Floridiana and the Workers' Compensation Adjudicators. There have been some interesting and intriguing people here. They have perhaps brought individual perspectives into the community, the evolution, and the foundation of this social safety net.
Floridiana details firsts. Bette Miller was Deputy Commissioner in Jacksonville in 1950. She was the first female workers' compensation adjudicator and the second female judge in Florida. Mario Goderich was the first Hispanic workers' compensation adjudicator, appointed in Miami in 1975, at age 42. The first black workers' compensation adjudicator in Florida was William Johnson, appointed in 1977, at age 29.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Rollins College and his law degree from the University of Miami Law School in 1973 (Judge Johnson first clerked and then practiced law with Kaplan, Dorsey, Sicking, & Hessen before his appointment. He was a contemporary of Mark Zientz.
Judge Johnson stayed with the OJCC for 20 years, leaving workers' compensation in 1997. He was appointed then to the 11th Circuit Court in Miami. His efforts and service there included establishing the first Juvenile Drug Court. Many have said it, and it bears repeating, those who serve in Juvenile Court are a special group of very patient and persistent souls. He served until 2011, and retired to senior status.
William Johnson's service on the bench approached 35 years. He was known for his interest in technology and his skills in adapting and using it. Only a handful remember Judge Johnson. As time passes and eras change, the practice and practitioners evolve.
I was saddened to learn last week that Judge William Johnson passed in January. He was 76 years old. I had intended this year to strive to contact some of the prior workers' compensation adjudicators I have not met. I will regret missing the opportunity to speak with him.
Ramon Malca remembered Judge Johnson as "always even-tempered, balanced, (and) friendly." He had a "big smile but controlled the courtroom (and) ... commanded respect by his dignified demeanor." Mr. Malca said, "We were fortunate to have him deciding cases." A posting on LinkedIn generated various positive recollections.
There is much to say about Florida workers' compensation, the law, the community, and more. As with any tapestry, the history here fades with time. Perhaps we can remember that many served here, in various roles, professions, and capacities, over the last 90 years, and made this what it is.
Rest in peace judge. The obituary posting is here: https://www.paradisemfh.com/obituary/the-honorable-judge-william-johnson
