Voice from th­­e Chair

February 2025

By Kia Myers Holsey
Chair of the California Lawyers Association, Workers’ Compensation Section
Executive Committee

The start of the new year is often a hopeful time; where we greet each other and wish a year full of good health, happiness and prosperity.  Unfortunately, for thousands of our fellow Californians in the Los Angeles area, 2025 could not have started in a more disastrous way.   We have all been devastated to see the images of block after block of neighborhoods in the Pacific Palisades and the Altadena area being decimated by unimaginable infernos fueled by unprecedented hurricane force winds.  The members of the California Lawyers Association Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee mourn the loss of so many lives to the wildfires and share in the grief of all those who have lost their homes and possessions to this tragic event.   Our committee members stand ready to assist as the CLA works with government and legal institutions to address the needs of all of those impacted by this tragedy.

The CLA WC section executive committee members have enthusiastically embarked on accomplishing all of the goals the various subcommittees set for themselves during the long-range planning meeting which took place in November, 2024.   At the forefront of the activities of the CLA WC Executive Committee is our commitment to providing the bar the highest quality continuing education seminars.  This month, our education committee featured the “Done in Two Days” series where practitioners could complete all of the ethics related credits that are required.  If you did not have a chance to listen to the webinar when it was originally presented, you can still listen to the program through here: 

• Civility in the Practice of Law
• Race and Gender: Avoiding Bias in QME Reporting and Ratings for Industrial Breast Cancer
• The Future of WCAB Virtual Hearings
• Good Attorneys Can Experience Burnout
• Professional Responsibility
• Best Practices for Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas
• Ethics Case Law Update
• Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession

The legislation subcommittee is busy discussing and drafting potential bills for the Legislature’s consideration in 2025.   Each bill will be crafted with assistance of the California Lawyers Association Governmental Affairs office. 

2024 was a banner year for our committee’s live events, culminating with the sold-out annual Awards Dinner at the magnificent Queen Mary in Long Beach.  Our committee members have several excellent live events being planned for this year.  Watch for these events being announced as the dates are finalized.

In this issue, we have excellent articles starting with an article from our Practice and Ethics Subcommittee providing important information about the new video platform coming to the DWC on March 1, 2025.  This is followed by an article authored by Zane Uribarri at partner at Bradford Barthel, Ontario, giving important tips on preparing for Mandatory Settlement Conferences.  In addition, Julius Young, a partner at Boxer Gerson, Oakland, provides us with a comprehensive look at the major developments under California’s Workers’ Compensation system in 2024 from new laws to significant judicial decisions impacting our daily practice.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with all Angelenos as they recover from one of the worst natural disasters in California’s history.   The outpouring of support that has already been demonstrated by neighbors helping neighbors is inspiring and provides great hope that Los Angeles will bounce back better than ever!

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy reading this new edition of the Enews.