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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. ADJ4702870 (LAO 0757820)
Regular
May 20, 2016

Rubie Johnson vs. Los Angeles County Mental Health

This case involves sanctions imposed on lien claimant David Silver, M.D., and his representatives for failing to appear at a properly noticed lien conference without good cause. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (Board) granted reconsideration to affirm the sanctions and attorney fees awarded. The Board found that the excuses provided for the non-appearance were unreasonable and constituted bad faith actions under Labor Code section 5813. Consequently, Silver and his representatives were ordered to pay $\$250.00$ in sanctions to the General Fund and $\$2,100.00$ in attorney fees to the defendant.

Labor Code Section 5813WCAB Rule 10561WCAB Rule 10770.1Lien ConferenceFailure to AppearBad Faith ActionsSanctionsAttorney's FeesPetition for ReconsiderationJoint and Several Liability
References
1
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Legal Aid Society v. Association of Legal Aid Attorneys

The Legal Aid Society sought a preliminary injunction against the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys and its officers to prevent the disciplining of striking union members who crossed picket lines. The plaintiff also claimed tortious interference and a civil rights conspiracy under 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3) on behalf of itself, non-striking attorneys, and indigent clients. The District Court denied the injunction, finding several impediments to success on the merits. These included the NLRB's primary jurisdiction, the Norris-LaGuardia Act's prohibitions, and the plaintiff's lack of standing for third-party claims. Furthermore, the court determined that the conspiracy allegations under Section 1985(3) were conclusory and lacked substantial merit.

Labor DisputePreliminary InjunctionUnion DisciplinePicket LinesNational Labor Relations Act (NLRA)Norris-LaGuardia ActStanding (Law)Conspiracy (Law)Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. § 1985(3))Tortious Interference
References
32
Case No. ADJ8059380
Regular
May 11, 2016

ALVARO ABARCA vs. REIMER FARMS, AMTRUST NORTH AMERICA

This case concerns a dispute over attorney's fees where applicant's attorney, Giron, failed to appear at a lien conference. The WCJ ordered Giron to forfeit his share of the fees to the applicant's former attorneys due to non-appearance. The Appeals Board rescinded this order, finding a potential due process violation due to unclear notice and a lack of opportunity for Giron to be heard on the fee division. The matter was returned to the WCJ to determine reasonable attorney's fees and consider potential sanctions for Giron's conduct.

ADJ8059380Alvaro AbarcaReimer FarmsAmtrust North AmericaLaw Offices of Lionel GironQuinlan Kershawattorney feeslien conferencereconsiderationWorkers' Compensation Appeals Board
References
10
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03795 [161 AD3d 1478]
Regular Panel Decision
May 24, 2018

Matter of Attorneys In Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a. (Ettelson)

Julie Ann Ettelson, now known as Julie A. Laczkowski, was suspended from practicing law in 2009 due to noncompliance with attorney registration requirements under Judiciary Law § 468-a. She filed a motion for reinstatement in April 2018, which was reviewed by the Attorney Grievance Committee. The Committee provided findings and deferred to the Court's discretion. The Appellate Division, Third Department, found that the respondent met all requirements for reinstatement, including completing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, maintaining current registration, and demonstrating good character and fitness. The Court also determined that her reinstatement would serve the public interest. Consequently, the Court granted her motion and reinstated her as an attorney.

Attorney ReinstatementProfessional MisconductJudiciary LawAttorney Grievance CommitteeAppellate DivisionAttorney RegistrationDisciplinary ProceedingsLegal EthicsSuspension of AttorneyCharacter and Fitness
References
11
Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 04524 [186 AD3d 23]
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 13, 2020

Matter of Doris

The Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) initiated a disciplinary proceeding against attorney Lawrence A. Doris following client complaints of professional misconduct, including failure to file a personal injury case and lack of communication. Despite numerous attempts by the AGC through letters, emails, and a judicial subpoena, Mr. Doris failed to respond to the allegations or appear for a deposition. The AGC subsequently moved for his immediate suspension from the practice of law due to his willful noncompliance and failure to cooperate with their investigation. The Appellate Division, First Department, granted the AGC's motion, finding that Mr. Doris's conduct warranted immediate suspension. This decision underscores the importance of attorney cooperation in disciplinary matters and protection of the public interest.

Attorney disciplineProfessional misconductNoncooperation with investigationImmediate suspensionGrievance CommitteeClient complaintFailure to communicateJudicial subpoenaPublic interest threatAppellate Division
References
6
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03468 [161 AD3d 132]
Regular Panel Decision
May 10, 2018

Matter of Machado

This case involves reciprocal discipline against attorney Esmeralda Machado. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department sought to discipline Machado based on a New Jersey Supreme Court order permanently barring her from appearing pro hac vice due to unauthorized practice of law, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Machado had repeatedly failed to pay required fees, continued to practice in New Jersey despite her pro hac vice admission terminating, misused another attorney's letterhead, and made false statements in a divorce proceeding. The New York Appellate Division, First Department, granted the motion for reciprocal discipline, suspending Machado from the practice of law in New York for two years, effective June 11, 2018. The court found her misconduct in New Jersey would also constitute misconduct in New York.

Attorney MisconductUnauthorized Practice of LawReciprocal DisciplineProfessional EthicsSuspensionNew Jersey Disciplinary ProceedingsFalse StatementsFraudDishonestyAppellate Division First Department
References
10
Case No. ADJ8912819
Regular
Nov 13, 2017

DULCE GONZALEZ vs. MURANAKA FARMS, ZENITH INSURANCE COMPANY

The Appeals Board granted reconsideration and rescinded a WCJ's order awarding attorney's fees to the applicant. The WCJ had awarded fees for the defendant's failure to appear at a trial on March 18, 2016, citing Labor Code Section 5813. However, the Board found that the defendant provided a reasonable excuse for its inadvertent failure to appear due to a calendaring error and that there was no evidence of bad faith or a pattern of non-appearance. Therefore, attorney's fees were deemed not warranted under these circumstances.

Petition for ReconsiderationFindings and OrderAttorney's FeesFailure to AppearSanctionsBad-Faith TacticsExcusable NeglectCode of Civil Procedure Section 473Labor Code Section 5813WCAB Rule 10561
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 07, 1978

SOCIALIST WKRS. PARTY v. Attorney General of US

This case involves an action by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and the Young Socialist Alliance (YSA) against various federal agencies and officials, primarily the Attorney General and the FBI, for alleged constitutional violations stemming from extensive FBI informant activities and disruption programs. The current opinion addresses the Attorney General's refusal to comply with a May 31, 1977, court order to produce 18 confidential FBI informant files to plaintiffs' counsel. The court rejected the Attorney General's arguments concerning informant confidentiality, appellate review, and alternative sanctions, emphasizing the files' indispensable nature for the litigation of plaintiffs' claims, which include demands for damages and injunctive relief. The court ruled that the Attorney General must comply with the production order by July 7, 1978, or face civil contempt, underscoring the judiciary's power to enforce orders even against high-ranking government officials.

Informant ConfidentialityDiscovery DisputeCivil ContemptGovernment MisconductFBI SurveillancePolitical OrganizationsFirst Amendment RightsConstitutional ViolationsAppellate ReviewAttorney General
References
35
Case No. Misc. No. 254
En Banc
Feb 14, 2013

vs. Daniel Escamilla

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board suspends Daniel Escamilla's privilege to appear before it as a non-attorney representative for 90 days, finding good cause due to a repeated pattern of sanctionable conduct, including frivolous filings and misrepresentations of fact.

Labor Code section 4907nonattorney hearing representativeprivilege to appearWCABgood causefrivolous conductsanctionsLabor Code section 5813WCAB Rule 10561willful misrepresentation
References
54
Case No. Misc. No. 254
Significant
Feb 14, 2013

Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, State of California vs. Daniel Escamilla

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board suspended the privilege of non-attorney representative Daniel Escamilla to appear before it for 90 days due to a persistent pattern of professional misconduct, including filing frivolous petitions and making material misrepresentations, which sanctions had failed to correct.

Labor Code Section 4907Nonattorney Hearing RepresentativePrivilege to AppearGood CauseSanctionsFrivolous ConductBad FaithMisrepresentation of FactsWCAB Rule 10561Continuing Violation Doctrine
References
66
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