ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Chris Brigham

Christopher R. Brigham, MD is a thought leader on human potential and dis/ability whose goal is to have all of us, including those who are injured and ill, experience joyful and productive lives. He is Editor of the AMA Guides Newsletter and Casebook, and Senior Contributing Editor for the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition. Chris has written nearly 300 peer-reviewed articles, spoken at over 350 events, consulted extensively in the United States and internationally, and skilled in the use of web-based technologies, focusing on virtual learning systems.

Chris received his Medical Degree from the Washington University School of Medicine – St. Louis, a Master of Medical Science from Rutgers Medical School, and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Southern Maine. He is Board-Certified in Occupational Medicine (ABPM), a Founding Director of the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners, a Fellow of the American College of Occupational Environmental Medicine, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators.

He is a Stephen Minister and a founder of the Faith-Based Claims Association, an ecumenical organization where faith and profession intersect. With his love of the sea, he has a USCG Captain’s license. He enjoys sailing, kayaking, bicycling, traveling and, most of all, being with his family - he is married, has 3 daughters, and 4 grandchildren. He resides in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Falmouth, Maine.

Jennifer Morris Jones

Jennifer Morris Jones is a Partner in the ﬁrm’s Raleigh office and is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group. She is a North Carolina Board Certiﬁed Workers’ Compensation Specialist and has been appointed to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law Specialty Committee. She serves on the ﬁrm’s COVID-19 Response Team.

Jennifer enjoys collaborating with her clients to develop innovative strategies to resolve workers’ compensation claims. With her clients’ business interests in mind, Jennifer strives to achieve positive and cost-effective resolutions to workers’ compensation disputes. To achieve those goals, Jennifer counsels clients in resolving claims through a strategic motion practice, when appropriate. Such motions may include Form 24 Applications and Motions to Compel discovery responses, compliance with medical treatment, and compliance with vocational rehabilitation.

Jennifer has experience in handling all aspects of the process including claims investigation, witness interviews, motions, mediations, hearings, appeals, and medical depositions. She also has handled appeals from the Deputy Commissioner level to the Full Commission, as well as from the Full Commission level to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

In 2018, Jennifer was appointed to serve as an Advisory Board member for the National Workers’ Compensation Review, presenting at the WCI Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. In addition, through serving as a Member of the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, Jennifer serves as an instructor of the multi-state portion of the WCI Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Jennifer is actively involved in DRI, a leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel. She has been appointed to serve as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee for DRI, after serving as Vice Chair for a two-year term. In addition, she has also been appointed to serve as Chair of the Technology Subcommittee of the Women in the Law Committee, after serving as Vice Chair, and she also serves as the Workers’ Compensation Committee Liaison for the Women in the Law Committee for DRI. Jennifer previously served as the Online Community Page and Social Medial Chair for DRI Workers’ Compensation Committee.

Steven Tipton

Steve is a shareholder of Flahive, Ogden & Latson. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, Civil Appellate Law, and Workers’ Compensation Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is admitted to the bar of Supreme Court of the United States and State Bar of Texas. He is MARTINDALE-HUBBELL AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated and named a SuperLawyer® by Texas Monthly, and Law and Politics magazine.

Graduating from Southwestern University (B .S., 1973), he then attended The University of Texas Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences in Houston, conducting research for the Medical School. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law, Houston (J.D., 1981), having served on the Editorial Board of the South Texas Law Journal, and the Student Advocacy Board.

Steve was Briefing Attorney to the Hon. Robert M. Campbell, Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, 1981- 1982.

He is a member of: The Litigation, Civil Appellate and Workers’ Compensation Sections of the State Bar of Texas; The Texas Supreme Court Historical Society; The Faith Based Claims Ass’n; The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (as a Certified Litigation Claims Management Professional); DRI (Advisory Board member, Workers’ Compensation Committee); Fellow, The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers; member, The Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute. Steve is also Contributing Editor to THE TEXAS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION MANUAL, annually 1982 to date, and Past President of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas.

William M. Zachry

Education: BS Business Administration, Personnel & Industrial Relations, Wage & Salary Administration (San Francisco State University)

Experience: California State Compensation Insurance Fund - Board Member (Appointed by Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown)

Sedgwick Institute – Senior Fellow

Safeway / Albertsons Companies - GVP Risk Management

State of California Fraud Assessment Commission - Chair (Appointed by Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger)

California Self-Insurers Security Fund - Board Member

National Association of Corporate Directors - Fellow

National Association of Social Insurance – Member

California Chamber of Commerce Amicus Committee – Founding Co-Chair

Zenith Insurance Company - Vice President Claims

C.E. Heath Insurance / HeathCal / CareAmerica /HIH Insurance - Senior Vice President Claims

Awards: Summa Comp Laude winner 2020 “highest honor

CCWC “Insurance Professional of the Year” 2016

RIMS / Business Insurance Magazine “Risk Manager of the Year” 2014

Watsonville Law Center “Fields of Justice” Community Service Award by the Watsonville Law Center 2010

California District Attorney Association “Award for Dedication and Service in Fighting Fraud” 2010

Certificate for Special Congressional Recognition for Community service 2010

RIMS “Richard Bland Award” for Exemplary Legislative Efforts 2005

Daly City, City Council “Award for Bravery” 1976