New Presiding Judge Appointed for Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court
The workers' comp reforms enacted in 2011 required Gov. Mary Fallin to appoint a new presiding judge to serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2013.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin announced Dec. 13 her appointment of L. Brad Taylor of Tulsa to serve as presiding judge of the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court. Taylor, whom the governor appointed to the court earlier this year, replaces Judge Michael J. Harkey as presiding judge; Harkey remains on the court.
Workers' comp reforms Fallin signed into law in 2011 required her to appoint a new presiding judge to serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2013. The court resolves legal disputes involving injured workers. Besides presiding over all meetings of the court, the presiding judge has supervisory duties for personnel and budgetary and financial management.
"Judge Brad Taylor's experience, having represented both employers and employees in the workers' compensation system, has made him an effective and impartial member of the Workers' Compensation Court," Fallin said. "As presiding judge, I know Judge Taylor will do a great job in ensuring the workers' compensation system continues its commitment to provide fairness for all parties involved. I want to express my appreciation for Judge Harkey and his service as presiding judge of the court. I know he will continue to serve the state of Oklahoma well as a member of the Workers' Compensation Court," Fallin added.
Before being appointed to the court, Taylor was an associate at the Tulsa law firm of Perrine, McGivern, Redemann, Berry & Taylor, PLLC. His law degree came from the University of Tulsa School of Law, where he served as Student Bar Association president.