4 New Workers’ Comp Arbitrators Appointed in Illinois

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn appointed four new arbitrators to the Workers’ Compensation Commission:

Maria Bocanegra is an attorney at Katz Friedman, specializing in workers’ compensation. She previously worked as a judicial assistant to the Honorable David Furman and as a case administrator for the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Colorado. Bocanegra was also appointed to the Illinois Department of Labor’s Labor Advisory Board in 2013.

Stephen Friedman is currently a managing partner of Rusin, Maciorowski & Friedman, Ltd., specializing in workers’ compensation defense. Previously, he was an associate and a partner at Rooks, Pitts and Poust practicing workers’ compensation and personal injury defense

Steven Fruth is currently a trial attorney at the Chicago Transit Authority. Previously, he served as a Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County and as the Staff Counsel at Allstate Insurance Company

Michael Nowak is an attorney at Becker, Paulson, Hoerner & Thompson, P.C., focusing primarily on workers’ compensation law. Previously, he was a partner in his own firm, representing injured workers. Nowak has served as an arbitrator for the St. Clair County Arbitration Center as well as a member of the Judicial Nominating Committee for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois.

Source: Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission