A new home for the Oregon certification course
Reinisch Wilson Weier PC is pleased to announce the Basic Oregon Workers’ Compensation Certification Course, previously led by Jerry Keene at OWCI, will transition to the Firm in 2018
“After 26 satisfying years of teaching and learning in return, I am announcing my retirement from the Basic Workers’ Compensation certification program, which will now be capably administered and presented on an ongoing basis by my friends at Reinisch Wilson Weier PC,” said Jerry Keene, founder of the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Institute (OWCI).
“Jerry and this course have been intertwined in the Firm for so many years,” said Christy Doornink, Firm President and Managing Attorney. “It would be difficult for the Firm to say goodbye to such an important training resource for Oregon claims examiners. We thank Jerry for his dedication and wish him more uninterrupted time at his coastal home.”
The spring 2018 course will be the first led by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC shareholders and by associate attorneys as proctors. Sessions will continue to be offered in the spring, summer and fall at the Firm’s Portland Training Center. “They will continue to present lectures with the same content, based on the same text book as I have used, and I will continue in a consulting role to maintain continuity during the transition,” Jerry said. Tuition will continue to be $525 per session. Oregon Medical Evaluations, Inc. has graciously agreed to continue sponsoring and producing the course materials.
“We are certain that future students will be well served by attorney course leaders and mentors sharing our experiences as well as the nuances of Oregon rules and statutes as we’ve learned them in our defense litigation practice,” said Firm Shareholder Matt Fisher, who will be one of the lead instructors.
“Given their long-term commitment to the success of the class and the examiners it serves, it was only natural that I turn to my Reinisch friends as the time has approached for me to pass the teaching baton to others,” said Jerry. “Their contributions have played a key role in making this course a trusted training resource for claims examiners, risk managers and even regulatory staff from the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division.”
Jerry created the course in 1991, when Oregon began to require examiner certification and while he was an attorney with Reinisch Wilson Weier. In 2010, he left the Firm to create OWCI, but continued to teach the course at the Firm. Hundreds of examiners have taken the course over the past 26 years.
“There is no greater honor, or obligation, than when people trust you to teach them – especially when it is needed to progress in their career,” said Jerry. “I am deeply grateful for those who trusted me in this way during the past 26 years, and gratified that people as capable and committed as those at the Reinisch firm will remain available to serve that role into the future.”
Students can read course details, review schedules and register, pay online at www.rwwcomplaw.com/oregon-certification.
