Workers' Compensation
Spring 2018

F&P Workers’ Comp Spotlights: Barbara Thompson & Barbara Reider

Barbara Thompson

Barbara Thompson, who was recently promoted to principal at Franklin & Prokopik (F&P), has a total of 20 years of experience in civil litigation in the field of workers’ compensation defense.  In fact, Barbara’s entire professional career has been focused on workers’ compensation and she brings that wealth of experience and perspective to the cases she handles.

In 1988, Barbara graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.  She was first introduced to workers’ compensation through an internship program with CIGNA Property & Casualty Company, following which she was hired as a claims adjuster.  Barbara later made the decision to attend law school, and in 1997 graduated, cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law.  After becoming a licensed attorney, Barbara worked primarily as in-house counsel for CIGNA as well as Zurich North America for a combined total of 13 years.  Barbara joined F&P in 2011 and will be celebrating seven years with the firm this month.

During her time at F&P, Barbara has diligently and vigorously litigated countless cases.  Notably, along with F&P Principal David Skomba and Associate Michael Bennett, Barbara defended F&P clients and received a favorable decision from the Court of Appeals in Reger v. Washington County Board of Education, 455 Md. 68 (2017).

Outside of the office, you will most often find Barbara near a barn, ringside at one of her daughter’s horse shows or cheering on her son at a baseball game (always with a camera hanging from her neck).

Barbara A. Reider

Barbara Reider joined Franklin & Prokopik as a paralegal in 2013. Her work is focused in the area of workers’ compensation defense.

Prior to joining Franklin & Prokopik, Barbara worked in the medical field for 15 years. In that time, she was employed as a Certified Medical Assistant, a medical claims processor, and also a phlebotomist. While working in the medical field, Barbara began assisting with the preparation and filing of documentation for her family business, and developed an interest in the legal field. As a result, she decided to make a career change into the legal profession.

In 2013, Barbara received her Associates Degree from the Community College of Baltimore County, where she graduated with honors. While attending school, she continued to work full time, assisting with running her family business and caring for her two children and three dogs. Upon graduating, Barbara was referred to F&P by the director of CCBC’s Legal Studies Department.  During her time at F&P, Barbara has enjoyed working on challenging cases involving the more complex aspects of workers’ compensation law.

Barbara spends most of her free time with her family and is also very active in her church.  Her son recently graduated from high school and is currently serving in the United States Coast Guard as a fireman.  Her daughter is currently being scouted by colleges for her high academic achievements.