Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday appointed Joe Cortese, a West Des Moines attorney, as Iowa Workers’ Compensation commissioner. Cortese will replace

Joe Cortese

Michelle “Miki” McGovern, who had been serving as the acting commissioner since September. Cortese practices workers’ compensation law at Huber, Book, Cortese & Lanz, where he is been a partner since 1985. He received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and earned a law degree with honors from Drake Law School. “With over 30 years of experience in workers’ compensation, I’m confident Joe Cortese will serve as an independent and fair commissioner,” Branstad said in a press release. “I appreciate Miki’s service to the department and the state in the interim.” The position was vacated in August 2014 by Christopher Godfrey, who is suing Branstad over what he calls the administration’s illegal attempts to force him to resign. Branstad had cut Godfrey’s pay by $40,000 after he initially refused to resign. Godfrey’s lawsuit alleges discrimination, extortion and defamation by Branstad.