By Michael W. Alvey
Chairman, Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board
Louisville, KY
The NAWCJ celebrated the induction of the 2025 Hall of Fame class in Orlando, Florida on August 18, 2025. The criteria for selection into the Hall of Fame includes membership, or former membership (for those no longer serving as adjudicators) in the NAWCJ; eight (8) years of exemplary service as an adjudicator of workers’ compensation issues, trial, appellate, or any combination of the two, without requirement such period of service be uninterrupted; a record of notable service to the NAWCJ, defined as multi-faceted contributions to the ideals and goals of the organization; and a record of service including educating, speaking, writing, advocating, and/or involvement with entities assisting those affected by workplace injuries.
The NAWCJ Hall of Fame Committee includes the Hon. Shannon Bruno-Bishop (LA), Hon. David Langham (FL), and Hon. Michael W. Alvey (KY). Nominations for inductees were solicited from current NAWCJ members through Survey Monkey. After the period for nominations closed, the nominees were presented to members of the Hall of Fame. Nominees were required to receive at least 60% of the votes submitted to be elected to the Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony, each inductee was awarded a plaque and a special membership pin. The induction into the Hall of Fame is an annual event recognizing those who have provided great service to the NAWCJ. Please join with the Hall of Fame Committee in celebrating the latest inductees into the Hall of Fame. Photographs and biographical sketches of the inductees are listed below.
WESLEY G. MARSHALL
Wesley G. Marshall is Chairman of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. He was appointed as a Commissioner by the Virginia General Assembly in 2012. Chairman Marshal was previously engaged in a private law practice for 23 years, primarily representing plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, employment and other civil litigation. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1985 with his B.A. with distinction and his J.D. in 1988.
Wes is Past-President of the Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators and serves on the Boards of the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards, and Commissions, and the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation. He was the first President of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation American Inn of Court. The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers elected him as a fellow in 2015. In 2022, he was appointed as faculty to the Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Mandatory Professionalism Course. Wes has a particular interest in process improvement through objective technology and systems-based approaches. He promotes civility and professionalism in the bench and bar, and seeks to instill positive values to promote value-driven delivery of services within Virginia’s workers’ compensation system.
KENNETH M. SWITZER
Judge Kenneth M. Switzer has served as the Chief Judge of the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims since its inception on July 1, 2014. In addition to managing a full caseload, with much assistance from his staff attorney Jane Salem, Judge Switzer works with 11 other judges in a “supervisory” capacity. It should be noted that these Judges need little, if any, supervision at this point.
Before taking his present position, Judge Switzer practiced as a civil trial attorney. He became board-certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 1996. Somewhere along the line he graduated from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and before that from David Lipscomb College. Records of these events hang out of sight in his office gathering dust. Accolades concerning his scholarship at these institutions are left to a biographer to discover upon diligent research later.
But enough about the Judge, his previous work, and his education. He has done a lot of running and cycling in his life and has medals and trophies to prove it, somewhere. And, if you want to be bored to death about instant replay in college football, he can accommodate you.
But most importantly, he and his wife Marilyn have two fine adult children, who have brought them great joy by creating three superb grandchildren (with their spouses). Judge Switzer has become “Fizzy,” a far more important title than Judge. His brief bio would be empty completely without Simeon, Maxwell, and Violet. He is fond of saying, “This is my life, and I want no other.”
NAWCJ HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
2021
Hon. Melodie Belcher, Georgia
Hon. LuAnn Haley, Arizona
Hon. John Lazzara, Florida
Hon. Ellen Lorenzen, Florida
Hon. Deneise Turner Lott, Mississippi
Hon. Dwight T. Lovan, Kentucky
Hon. Bruce Moore, Kansas
Hon. David Torrey, Pennsylvania
Hon. Roger L. Williams, Virginia*
2022
Hon. Michael W. Alvey, Kentucky
Hon. Robert Cohen, Florida
Hon. Robert Dietz, Florida*
Hon. Jennifer Hopens, Texas
Ms. Abbie Hudgens, Tennessee**
Hon. David Langham, Florida
Hon. James Szablewicz, Virginia
Hon. Jane Williams, Kentucky
2023
Hon. Karl R. Aumann, Maryland
Hon. Shannon Bruno-Bishop, Louisiana
Kathy Shelton, Florida **
2024
Hon. Pamela B. Johnson, Tennessee
Hon. Frank McKay, Georgia Jim Mcconnaughay, Florida**
Steve Rissman, Florida**
2025
Hon. Wesley G. Marshall, Virginia Hon. Kenneth M. Switzer, Tennessee
*Denotes posthumous inductee
** Denotes Honorary Inductee
If you know of an adjudicator meeting the criteria outlined above, please remember to nominate her or him. While an adjudicator may be nominated at any time, we will follow up with a request for nominations next spring. You may submit your nominations to any of the committee members: Michael W. Alvey michael.alvey@ky.gov; Judge Shannon Bruno-Bishop SBruno@lwc.la.gov; or Judge David Langham David.Langham@doah.state.fl.us.