Jon Arends vs. URS Federal Support Services, Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company, administered by Sedgwick Claims Management Services
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board granted the applicant's petition for removal, rescinding a prior order that denied his motion to disqualify defense counsel. The Board found that the applicant's former employer's attorneys, Seyfarth Shaw, previously represented him in a related civil matter. This prior representation created a conflict of interest under professional conduct rules, as Seyfarth likely obtained confidential information material to the current workers' compensation case. Therefore, Seyfarth Shaw and its attorneys are disqualified from representing the defendant in this matter.