Labor and Employment Law Blog on Lawyers.com

The Philadelphia Bar Association’s Workers' Compensation Section was established in 1995 to address the specialized needs of lawyers practicing workers' compensation law. The section maintains a number of committees providing opportunities for lawyers to learn and enhance their skills.

Each year the Section presents the Martha J. Hampton Award to the attorney or judge who best exemplifies the dedication, professionalism and good will of Martha J. Hampton, the former partner and Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorney at Galfand Berger who displayed an exemplary commitment to protecting the rights of injured workers.  This year the 10th Annual Martha J. Hampton Award was presented to Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Judge Scott Olin.
 
Judge Olin has served as a Workers’ Compensation Judge for over 20 years and worked to help the Workers’ Compensation Section – of which he was once co-chairman – make changes in the trial environment, maintain civility among members of the Bar, and enhance the level of advocacy in litigation. Recognized for the respect and compassion he extends to injured workers while maintaining an impartial analysis of the issues presented before him,

Judge Olin is well known for his quick recollection of applicable cases and his willingness to entertain challenges to his interpretation of the law. He has the unique ability to communicate with opposing parties, using his skills and insights to help resolve a variety of complicated cases.
 
The award honors former Galfand Berger partner, Martha Hampton, who was committed to the practice of workers’ compensation law. Each year a committee reviews nominations of an attorney or judge who best exemplifies Martha's unique compassion, dedication, professionalism and good will. Martha's interests went beyond the individual cases she litigated. Martha believed in the viability and importance of the Workers' Compensation section of the Bar Association. She was a past president of the section and participated in activities as varied as writing informative articles for the Legal Intelligencer to testifying before subcommittees in Harrisburg on proposed legislation.

Martha enjoyed the role she played as a mentor or educator. She also maintained close friendships among her peers. She had the ability to be a strong advocate in the courtroom and the next moment have coffee with opposing counsel discussing only personal matters not legal ones. It is this respect for people and the profession, which led to the creation of this award.

In honor of the Martha J. Hampton Award, Galfand Berger makes a charitable contribution --- on the Section’s behalf and in honor of the award recipient --- to Kids Chance, an organization that helps youngsters who have lost a parent due to a work related injury gain a higher level of education.

Joseph Lurie
Galfand Berger, LLP
1818 Market Street, Suite 2300
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: 1-877-228-1528
Fax: 215-564-2262