The Division of Workers’ Compensation announced that Administrative Director Destie Overpeck has selected Paige S. Levy as chief judge, beginning February 1, 2016.

As chief judge, Levy will work closely with the administrative director, the associate chief judges and presiding judges to oversee more than 160 workers’ compensation administrative law judges at the Division’s 24 district offices and satellites. The chief judge also establishes and monitors procedures for effective maintenance of case calendars, and assists in the coordination of the judicial, legal, medical and related operational activities of the Division.

“I’m confident that Judge Levy will successfully accomplish the goal of improving benefit delivery to injured workers,” said Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations.

Judge Levy has served as the presiding judge in Marina del Rey since 2012 and as a workers’ compensation administrative law judge since 2005. She was chair of the Workers’ Compensation State Bar Executive Committee for the 2013-2014 term and served on the committee for five years. She has been a board member for the California Conference of Workers’ Compensation Judges. Judge Levy was the project manager for the 2013 revisions to the DWC Policy and Procedural Manual, and is currently a member of the DWC Ethics Advisory Committee.

Over the last 10 years she has spoken on numerous topics including the application of the AMA Guides, Case Law update, Utilization Review, WCAB policy and procedure, ethics, specialization exam prep, liens, and litigation tips for attorneys. Judge Levy was the 2013 California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA) Judge of the Year, the 2012 WorkCompCentral Magna Comp Laude Award Winner, and a 2014 DWC Employee of the Year Recipient. She became a certified workers’ compensation specialist in 2000.

“Judge Levy will make an excellent chief judge. Her experience as a workers’ compensation judge and presiding judge, as well as her many years participating in judge training, will serve as a firm foundation for her new position. Please join me in congratulating Judge Levy and wishing her well in her new assignment,” said Destie Overpeck, DWC administrative director.

The DWC also took the opportunity to thank Associate Chief Judge Tom Clarke for his work as acting chief judge for the past several months.