eNews

Substantial evidence. It’s the bedrock standard for the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB). All decisions they make must be supported by substantial evidence. Otherwise, the WCAB has a duty to develop the record so they can get evidence that is substantial. Read more

As Chair of the California Lawyers Association Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee I hereby express our best wishes to the community and our mutual wish for a special and productive New Year! In line with our expressed interests in improving the reputation and quality of our area of practice, we have planned a year chock full of excellent educational events, community outreach , coordination with other sections, assistance to the appellate courts and of course our pride and joy the continuation of our excellent publications the E-New and the Workers’ Compensation Quarterly. Read more

Lehman v. Nelson (9th Cir. 18-35321 12/3/19) ERISA Plaintiff Richard Lehman, an electrician, filed a class action against the Trustees of IBEW under ERISA. Plaintiff was a member of a different local union pension fund. When he was temporarily employed outside his home fund, his employer contributed to the local fund in the place where the work was performed. Plaintiff’s home fund and the Pacific Cost Fund were signatories to the Electrical Industry Pension Reciprocal Agreement, under which “travelers” like plaintiff could elect… Read more

After a contentious debate during the 2019 legislative session, AB 5 passed and was signed by Governor Newsom on September 18. Read more

We have arrived at the time of year when the holidays and the rush of preparation and celebration tends to raise our blood pressures, raise unrealistic expectations, increase our waistlines and to distract us from what we really should be doing as the year comes to an end. What we as individuals and as a community should be doing at this time of year is reflecting upon the year that has passed, the good and bad and engaging in introspection. Are we satisfied with how we have conducted ourselves? Are we pleased with what we have accomplished? Have we treated our fellow practitioners? Have we treated family, friends and acquaintances in the way we would expect to be treated? Have we contributed to making our world a better place or not? Read more

The California Lawyers Association Intellectual Property Law Section’s flagship program, the IP Institute, celebrated its 44th year with a captivating, relevant, and stimulating two-and-a-half day conference in Las Vegas. This year’s program was titled, “IP Beyond Borders” and marked the first time the conference has been held outside of California Read more

CLA Solo Small Firm Section partnered up with the newly formed Solo Small Firm Section of L.A. County Bar for our first outside agency joint M.C.L.E. programming held at the LA County Bar building. Read more

When it comes to office space, lawyers have many options. Possibilities include working from home or a café (as long as you’re on encrypted wi-fi and use a VPN) with a completely virtual relationship with clients to investing in your own space at a high-end high rise. Read more

Often when having conversations with colleagues, students, and mentors, lurking in the background or engaging with the moment is the question, how does one become a success? For conversations in the aforementioned scenario are generally about finding or learning some piece of information that helps someone grow. Success is personal to the beholder, internally and externally focused, and there is no one path. If anything, success is determined by what matters to you, others, and is anything but linear. Read more

It’s December and I can’t believe it. I am finding it true that the older I get, the faster the year goes. Maybe it’s just that as SSF attorneys, we are always so busy…getting clients, keeping clients, working our cases, unjamming the printer, and trying to reconcile our end-of-year Quickbooks all while trying to have life with our friends and families. But as it is the holiday season, I think the most useful message I could convey is to remind everyone that the work wheel will always turn, but the time we take to enjoy our friends and family rejuvenates, relaxes and allows us to decompress and re-focus. Read more