For 2025, Austin Friedrich will serve as the Vice President of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Association. Austin was sworn in at the organization’s Installation Dinner on January 11, 2025. He will serve with other officers, Tyler Berberich (President), Lindsay Strom (Treasurer) and Nicole Schnoor (Secretary).
The WCLA promotes fellowship amongst members of the bar who practice before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Membership includes both petitioner and respondent attorneys, arbitrators and commissioners. It provides members with continuing legal education opportunities, social and networking events and otherwise promotes the practice of workers’ compensation law in the State of Illinois.
As Vice President, Austin will plan medical seminars, bringing together doctors of different specialties to provide attorneys with knowledge about an array of different medical conditions relevant to work injuries. He will work closely with other officers and the Board to ensure all parties have a voice at the Commission. Austin has been on the Board since 2018.
Ganan & Shapiro has a long history of supporting the WCLA. All attorneys are members of the organization. We are also proud to have four of our attorneys serve as past presidents: Jay Shapiro (found partner, 1942-2000), Jerry Webb (retired), Elaine Newquist (Partner) and Michelle LaFayette (Partner). We will continue our support of the organization in the coming years.
