Oral Argument Docket

Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Judges

Timothy W. Conner

is the presiding judge of the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, where he has served since August 2014. Prior to that, Judge Conner practiced law for twenty-two years in the areas of workers’ compensation and general liability defense. He has taught various courses at the University of Tennessee College of Law (2013-19) and Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law (2017-present). Judge Conner received his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. He is a member of the Tennessee and Knoxville Bar Associations, the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary, and the Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court.

Pele I. Godkin

was appointed to the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board by Governor Bill Lee on January 14, 2020. Judge Godkin began her practice in Tennessee with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, formerly known as the Division of Workers’ Compensation, shortly after the 2004 workers’ compensation reform. Judge Godkin entered private practice in 2008 where she practiced law in the areas of workers’ compensation and general liability defense. She received her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and her law degree from Seattle University School of Law. She is a member of the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Associations, The Belmont University College of Law American Inn of Court, and the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary.

Meredith Balthrop Weaver

was appointed to the Appeals Board by Governor Bill Lee in June of 2022. Prior to that, she worked for 17 years in the private sector, primarily in workers’ compensation, employment law, and general liability defense. A Tennessee native, she went to Auburn University for her undergraduate degree in communications. She returned to her native state to obtain her law degree from University of Tennessee and remained in Knoxville following graduation. While in private practice, she was on the Board for CASA of East Tennessee and served in other civic community groups as well. She currently serves in various capacities on the Boards for her children’s schools and is active in the Knoxville Bar Association, as well as the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women. She is also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary.