For Immediate Release - June 27, 2008

Governor Patrick Nominates Three to Industrial Accident Boards

BOSTON - Friday, June 27, 2008 - Governor Deval Patrick today announced the nomination of Catherine W. Koziol for the position of Administrative Law Judge on the Industrial Accident Reviewing Board and the nominations of Emily J. Novick and Paul F. Benoit for the position of Administrative Judge on the Industrial Accident Board. The Industrial Accident Board presides over administrative hearings involving workers' compensation claims. The Reviewing Board hears administrative appeals involving such claims. All three nominations have been forwarded to the Governor's Council for its advice and consent.

Catherine Watson Koziol of West Springfield currently serves as an Administrative Judge in the Worcester Regional Office of the Department of Industrial Accidents. Previously, Koziol was employed as a staff attorney at the Massachusetts Appeals Court, specializing in workers' compensation cases and civil appeals. Koziol graduated from the Boston University School of Law in 1992 and has authored or edited various publications, including a two-volume treatise on Workers' Compensation.

Emily J. Novick of Brookline has over 30 years' experience in workers' compensation law. She has served on the Governor's Advisory Council on Workers' Compensation, is a member of the Workers' Compensation Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Bar Association, and operates her own firm representing employees in workers' compensation cases. Novick holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor Degree from the New England School of Law.

Paul F. Benoit is a sole practitioner in Worcester. Benoit graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1981 and has worked at several law firms throughout Massachusetts representing both insurers and plaintiffs in workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Benoit graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the United States Army where he held the position of Deputy Provost Marshal.

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