On March 15, 2014 in Chicago, IL, attorney Rick W. Orr (retired 2018) was inducted into The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. The election recognizes a unique combination of not only long-term service in the field, but also civility in negotiations, earning the respect of their peers, the bar, bench and public, and evidence of scholarship in all areas of the law that affect their representation of clients in Workers’ Compensation cases.
As outlined by www.cwclawyers.org, election as a Fellow of the College is an honor granted to attorneys who have distinguished themselves in the field of workers’ compensation for twenty years or longer, representing plaintiffs, defendants, serving as judges or acting for the benefit of all in education, overseeing agencies or developing legislation. These individuals have convinced their peers, the bar, bench and public that they possess the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards, character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership.
Fellows of the College have a commitment to fostering and furthering the objectives of the College and have shown significant evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing, and/or distinguished published writings on Workers’ Compensation or related fields of law. In addition to these characteristics, a Fellow is expected to display the following traits in their day to day practice of workers’ compensation and related fields:
- A Fellow stands out to newer attorneys as a model of professionalism in deportment and advocacy;
- A Fellow has earned the respect of the bench, opposing counsel and the community;
- A Fellow displays civility in an adversarial relationship;
- A Fellow avoids allowing ideological differences to affect civility in negotiations, litigation and other aspects of law practice;
- A Fellow demonstrates an active interest in resolving issues;
- A Fellow is a student of the law;
- A Fellow has a thirst for knowledge in all areas of the law that affects their representation of their clients in Workers’ Compensation or their duties in adjudicating cases brought before them;
- A Fellow actively participates in the state, local and/or National Bar.
All Fellows take the following Oath:
“By accepting your Fellowship in the College you commit yourself to life long dedication to the maintenance of the highest standards of professional conduct, and scholarly pursuits; absolute integrity with clients, opponents, colleagues and the bench; to excellence in the presentation of law and fact designed to produce to the trier of fact and the decider of law the most reasoned of result; and to a demeanor which manifests respect for the legal process and its participants.”
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one of the State’s largest law firms. The firm’s attorneys provide business and litigation counsel to individuals and corporate clients in a variety of practice areas. For more information about Davenport Evans, visit www.dehs.com.