LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced eight reappointments to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates.
The 17-member board hears administrative claims for benefits and works to resolve disputes arising under the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act.
“These appointees have decades of valuable work experience and I am confident they will continue to fairly and effectively serve the people of Michigan,” said Snyder.
Reappointed:
Lisa Klaeren, of Kalamazoo, is reappointed chair of the board and has more than 27 years of experience in workers’ compensation litigation. She served as a senior staff attorney for Hartford Insurance. Klaeren earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University and a degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Brian Boyle, of West Bloomfield, was appointed to the board in 2011 and has more than 34 years of experience working with workers’ compensation issues. Boyle was a trial attorney at Phifer & White P.C. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
David Grunewald, of Grosse Pointe, has more than 37 years of workers’ compensation litigation experience. He served as a trial specialist for CNA Insurance Co. and as a workers’ compensation litigation attorney for Vandeveer Garzia P.C. Grunewald earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a degree from Detroit College of Law.
Beatrice Logan, of Southfield, has more than 22 years of workers’ compensation experience in private practice as an attorney for the Goodman, Eden, Millender and Bedrosian law firm in Detroit and as a magistrate since 2006. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a degree from the Detroit College of Law.
Luke McMurray, of Flint, has specialized in workers’ compensation law for 34 years. Prior to starting his own firm in 1999, McMurray spent 12 years with Reliance Insurance Co. managing the staff counsel in various states. He previously spent six years handling workers’ compensation and negligence cases at private law firms. McMurray earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Central Michigan University, and a degree from the Detroit College of Law.
E. Louis Ognisanti, of Saginaw, was first appointed to the board in 2011. He previously worked the Braun Kendrick Finkbeiner, P.L.C. law firm where he specialized in workers’ compensation issues. Ognisanti earned a bachelor’s degree from Albion College and a law degree from Wayne State University.
Chris Slater, of Spring Lake, has specialized in workers’ compensation for 19 years and has been a practicing lawyer for more than 25 years. He served as an associate attorney at Evans, Portenga & Slater prior to being appointed to the board in 2011. Slater earned a bachelor’s degree from Alma College and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Robert Tjapkes, of Clarksville, has specialized in workers’ compensation for 22 years and has more than 29 years of experience practicing law. He was an attorney adviser for the Social Security Administration in Grand Rapids and previously owned a private practice. Tjapkes earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a law degree from Marquette University.
Members will serve four-year terms expiring Jan. 26, 2019. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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