The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation proudly announces the induction of the Chief Judge of its Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims, Kenneth M. Switzer, as a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Chief Judge Switzer’s induction took place on Saturday, March 12, 2016, in New Orleans. The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers honors attorneys who possess the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards, character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership.

The Administrator of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Abbie Hudgens, said, “I am very pleased that Chief Judge Switzer was inducted into such a prestigious group. He has done an excellent job of developing a Workers’ Compensation Claims Court that is fair, consistent, and which places an emphasis on timely, excellent legal scholarship. This honor is well deserved.” Administrator Hudgens appointed Chief Judge Switzer in 2014. The bureau’s Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims adjudicates disputed workers’ compensation claims where the date of injury is on or after July 1, 2014.

Before his appointment, Chief Judge Switzer practiced law in Nashville for 37 years, concentrating in workers’ compensation. As a practitioner, he was a Rule 31 trained mediator and board-certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Chief Judge Switzer also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary.