WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW

George Picha is the senior partner of the Firm and practices exclusively in the area of workers’ compensation law.  He has devoted his career to protecting the interests of employers and insurers in workers’ compensation matters.  Since 1995 he has served as a technical advisor for proposed amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act for various business and professional associations.  George frequently contributes to the continuing education of his profession through his lecturing and writing.  Since 1972 he has authored Chapter 5, “Procedure, Appeals and Special Remedies”, of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Workers’ Compensation Practice Handbook, and just revised and updated his Chapter in 2009.  He has also participated in numerous meetings of business and professional organizations as a guest speaker and during most of his career has served as an author and presenter at educational seminars throughout the State.  

In addition to his active practice George has always found time to participate in the affairs of the Rockford community.  He serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Janet Wattles Foundation.  He previously served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Rock River Valley for eight years, and during four of those years was the Vice President for Allocations. 

George attended North Central College (B.A. 1959) and Northwestern University School of Law (J.D. 1962).  In 1994 North Central College honored George by presenting him with the Outstanding Alumnus Award “in recognition of achievement in the legal profession and service to the Rockford community”.  In 1997 George was the recipient of the Paul Revere Award for Business Advocacy, presented by the Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce.  He is also a member of the Leading Lawyers Network in the category of Workers’ Compensation Defense Law, having been recommended by his peers in a statewide survey for inclusion in the Network.