CLA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SECTION CELEBRATES THE REMARKABLE CAREERS OF ITS 2023 HONOREES AT THE ANNUAL AWARDS RECEPTION IN SAN DIEGO

February 2024

CLA Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee Chairman and Master of Ceremonies for the Annual Awards Reception, John Parente, welcomes the honorees and guests and introduces incoming Chairwoman, the Honorable Presiding Judge Sharon Velzy, along with CLA WC Section Manager Tiffany Creswell, presenting the awards to the honorees.

Presiding Judge Robert T. Hjelle is recognized for his distinguished career of public service to his nation and the California Judiciary as the CLA WC Section’s Judge of the Year.  Saro Kerkonian, CLA WC section adviser, introduces Presiding Judge Hjelle to the special guests in attendance at the annual awards reception. 

During the award reception, Presiding Judge Robert Hjelle is presented with the California Workers’ Compensation Judges Association 2023 Judge of the Year award by Presiding Judge Sharon Velzy.

William A. Herreras is recognized for his exceptional lifetime achievements as an advocate on numerous landmark appellate workers’ compensation cases by California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Commissioner, the Honorable Joseph Cappuro.

Renowned for his decades of service advancing the rights of California’s injured workers, Raymond E. Frost received the 2023 Applicant’s Attorney of the Year honor from his long-time friend the Honorable Presiding Judge Robert Rassp.  

Recognizing her decades of exemplary service as a trial attorney and educator in the field of California Workers’ Compensation Law, Yvonne Lang was presented with the 2023 Defense Attorney of the Year by CLA WC Executive Committee Member and former NFL great Orlando Ruff.

Members of the California Lawyers Association Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee gather at the reception at the San Diego Bayfront Hilton where the 2023 Annual Awards Reception was held on September 22, 2023. From left to right, Honorable Judge Therese DaSilva, Laura Chiyano Rosenthal, Ann Monene, Erin Wintersteen, Scott Silberman, Jason Wells, Viviana Santiago, John Hernandez, Tiffany Boyland, Saro Kerkonian, Honorable Judge Colleen Casey, Orlando Ruff, Honorable Presiding Judge Sharon Velzy (Chairwoman), Immediate Past Chairman John Parente, past Chairman Jack Goodchild, Presiding Judge Robert Rassp, Kia Myers Holsey.