PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_december 2018 | Page 23

WORKER’S COMPENSATION S e m i n a r
Committee Co-chairs Alicia Kobasky and
Nichole Hessen
Our Judicial Panelists (l-r) Judge Dietz, Judge
Johnsen, Judge Stephenson, Judge Kerr, Judge
Owens, Judge Clark, Judge Lewis and
Judge Hedler.
Michael Celeste congratulating this year’s
Kennie Edwards recipient, John Clarke
John Clarke and his daughter Sloane, along
with past Kennie Edward’s award recipients.
Front row (l-r) John Clarke, Marissa Hoffman,
Michael Celeste, Nichole Hessen, Alison
Schefer. Back row (l-r) Lyle Platt, Jeffrey
Friedman, David Rigell and Michele Leisele
John Clarke and his daughter, Sloane
Christian Petric and Stacy Barnes
Michael Imber, Chad Bubis, Scott Levine and
Michael Celeste
Angel Kirkconnell and Kurt Wyland
Michael Scott, Ryan Reif and Alan Aronson
Nicole Wright and Rene Lopez
Isabel Alcocer, Brenda Hoffman and
Pat Malone
Ryan Reif, Tom Stanford and Lori Bailey
The Workers’ Compensation CLE Committee recently held its annual seminar and reception at The Marriott in West Palm
Beach, with eight judges of compensation claims from around the state participating. This annual seminar, which brings
in attorneys from near and far, is geared equally to claimant and defense attorneys. At the conclusion of the seminar,
Attorney John Clarke was presented with the Kennie Edwards award. Kennie was tragically killed on September 19, 1996
when an injured worker armed with a shotgun and a handgun burst into a workers’ compensation defense firm in West
Palm Beach. At age 38 Kennie left behind his pregnant wife and five year old son. The injured worker then shot and killed
himself. Following this horrific event, the workers’ compensation community established the Kennie Edwards Award
which is presented annually to the Workers’ Compensation attorney who best exemplifies those professional qualities
admired in Kennie- honesty, integrity, cordiality, good humor, high ethical standards and advocacy tempered by a sense
of humility. John Clarke was Kennie Edwards’ partner in their firm and was at the deposition when the tragedy occurred.
During his acceptance speech, John highlighted many of Kennie’s admirable qualities.