Workers' Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association

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Workers' Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association

The Section serves our members, workers' comp practitioners, and the people of California by promoting an efficient and just compensation delivery system.

We are committed to accessibility! Learn more at https://calawyers.org/accessibility/ The purpose of the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar of California is to serve our members, workers' compensation practitioners, and the people of California by promoting an efficient and just compensation delivery system. The section, through standing committees, seeks to promote better legal practi

ce, education and legislation affecting workers' compensation. We review proposed state legislation and regulatory rules, and make recommendations to the authors. Our goal is to achieve the following constitutional mandate:

CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS OF LAWS
The Workers' Compensations Act, codified in the Labor Code, with other related laws, has its jurisdictional basis in the California Constitution, Article XIV, sec. 4, which provides in part as follows:

"The Legislature is hereby expressly vested with plenary power, unlimited by any provision of this Constitution, to create, and enforce a complete system of workers' compensation...to compensate...workers for injury or disability, and...for death...irrespective of the fault of any party...to the end that the administration of such legislation shall accomplish substantial justice in all cases expeditiously, inexpensively, and without encumbrance of any character..." MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Free subscription to the Workers' Compensation Quarterly newsletter. Discounts on all Workers' Compensation Section programs and publications
Opportunity to participate in Section and Committee activities
Opportunity to meet members of the Workers' Compensation Section

MCLE MAJOR EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
In addition to "stand alone" such as the recent Workers' Compensation Spring Programs of our section, we participate in the major state bar events:
Annual Meeting of The State Bar

The Section offers ongoing opportunities for participatory and self-study continuing legal education.

06/24/2026

🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 Workers’ Compensation Award Winners! 🏆

Join us in celebrating these outstanding professionals whose dedication and contributions have made a lasting impact on California’s workers’ compensation community.

2026 Award Winners:

⚖️ Applicant Attorney of the Year: Jody Kaufman
⚖️ Defense Attorney of the Year: Michael Giachino
👩‍⚖️ Judge of the Year: Jamie Spitzer
🌟 Lifetime Achievement Award: Arthur Johnson
🎉 New Lawyer of the Year: Menasha Cinberg

Celebrate these honorees at the 2026 Workers’ Compensation Awards Ceremony & Celebration on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Enjoy an evening of networking, dinner, awards, and exclusive access to explore the Aquarium alongside workers’ compensation professionals from across California.

📍Aquarium of the Pacific | Long Beach, CA
🗓️ Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 6:45 PM – 10:30 PM

We look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of this year’s honorees with you!

Register here: https://calawyers.org/event/2026-workers-compensation-awards-ceremony-and-celebration/

06/16/2026

🐠 Early Bird Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Workers’ Compensation Awards Ceremony & Celebration!

Join us on September 26 at the Aquarium of the Pacific for an evening of networking, dinner, awards, and celebration as we recognize outstanding contributions to California's workers’ compensation community.

💰 Register by August 14 and save up to $35!

Early Bird Pricing:
✔️ Section Members: $135
✔️ Non-Section/Non-CLA Members: $150
✔️ Workers’ Compensation Section New Lawyers, Law Students & Government: $100
✔️ Non-Section New Lawyers, Law Students & Government: $125

Your evening includes:
🐟 Reception, networking & exploring the aquarium
🏆 Dinner & Awards Ceremony
🎉 Dancing & celebration

Secure your spot and take advantage of Early Bird pricing before rates increase on August 14: https://calawyers.org/event/2026-workers-compensation-awards-ceremony-and-celebration/

06/09/2026

Another successful Workers' Compensation Section event is in the books! 🎉

Last week, practitioners gathered in San Jose for SIBTF Reform and Apportionment, earning MCLE credit while exploring proposed SIBTF reforms, the future of apportionment, and what these developments could mean for California workers' compensation.

Thank you to our speakers, moderator, sponsors, and attendees for an evening filled with education, networking, and great conversation over dinner.

05/22/2026

Only 2 weeks left to register for our SIBTF Reform MCLE Dinner & Networking Event on June 4, and you won’t want to miss this one.

SIBTF reform is one of the biggest conversations in workers’ compensation right now. Join Art Johnson (Johnson Law Firm) and Jim Witkop (Witkop Law Group) as they break down the proposed reforms, protecting benefits, and the future of apportionment, moderated by retired Judge Dora Padilla.

✨ Earn 1 MCLE
🤝 Network with judges and fellow practitioners
🍝 Full Italian dinner included
🍸 Open bar

We’re building a strong room of workers’ compensation professionals and would love to see even more of the community there. Bring a colleague, invite your network, and register today!

June 4 is approaching fast, so secure your spot now: https://calawyers.org/event/workers-compensation-sibtf-reform-and-apportionment/

05/14/2026

⏳ Just a few weeks left to register!

SIBTF reform is changing the conversation in workers’ compensation. Make sure you’re in the room for it.

Join Art Johnson (Johnson Law Firm) and Jim Witkop (Witkop Law Group) for a timely discussion on the proposed reforms, protecting benefits, and the future of apportionment, moderated by retired Judge Dora Padilla.

This event brings together education, networking, and a great dining experience all in one evening:

✨ Earn 1 MCLE
🤝 Connect with judges and fellow practitioners
🍝 Enjoy a full Italian dinner
🍸 Open bar included

Don’t miss one of the hottest topics in workers’ compensation right now.

Register today before spots fill up: https://calawyers.org/event/workers-compensation-sibtf-reform-and-apportionment/

05/08/2026

Happening TODAY
Accumulate Knowledge on Cumulative Traumas
May 8, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM.

Earn 1 MCLE credit + 1 Legal Specialization credit (Workers’ Comp) while learning key insights on cumulative trauma claims.

Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your expertise on key cumulative trauma issues!

Register today: https://bit.ly/4sxlc0o

05/06/2026

Join us for Education, Dinner & Networking, including MCLE credit!

SIBTF reform is one of the most talked-about issues in workers’ compensation right now. Are you prepared for what’s ahead?

Join Art Johnson (Johnson Law Firm) and Jim Witkop (Witkop Law Group) as they break down the proposed reforms, what’s at risk, and how to navigate these changes in your practice. Moderated by highly respected retired Judge Dora Padilla, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

✨ Earn 1 MCLE
🍝 Full Italian dinner
🍸 Open bar
🤝 Network with judges and fellow practitioners

This is more than just an MCLE; it’s your chance to stay ahead while building meaningful connections in the workers’ compensation community.

Spots are limited, so register today: https://calawyers.org/event/workers-compensation-sibtf-reform-and-apportionment/

05/01/2026

Happening TODAY

How should counsel respond when opposing parties seek discovery of AI-assisted work?

Join us for a session exploring the evolving legal and ethical challenges at the intersection of discovery, privilege, and artificial intelligence.

Discovery & AI: Evaluating Privilege and work product issues in AI communications
May 1 | 12:00–1:00 PM
Earn 1 Participatory MCLE Credit + 1 Technology in the Practice of Law Credit

Join today: https://bit.ly/4vAJPMC

04/30/2026

🚨 SIBTF Reform Is Coming—Are You Prepared? 🚨

Workers’ compensation practitioners, major changes to SIBTF reform could significantly impact permanent disability and apportionment litigation.

Join us on June 4 in San Jose for SIBTF Reform and Apportionment: Be Prepared for What’s Ahead! Gain practical insight, earn up to 1.0 MCLE credit (including Workers’ Compensation specialty credit), and connect with fellow practitioners, judges, and CLA’s Workers’ Compensation Executive Committee.

✔ Full dinner included
✔ Happy hour + networking
✔ Timely legal updates you can use now

Stay ahead of what’s coming next by registering here: https://calawyers.org/event/workers-compensation-sibtf-reform-and-apportionment/

📍 Palermo | San José
📅 June 4, 2026

04/24/2026

Happening TODAY, April 24 | 12:00–1:00 PM

Evidence for Trial: What a Judge Wants; What a Judge Needs

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the bench on how to effectively prepare for trial in workers’ compensation cases. Learn what evidence truly matters and what judges need to issue a decision.

Earn 1 Participatory MCLE Credit and 1 Legal Specialization Credit in Workers’ Compensation Law

Join us today: https://bit.ly/4sEpXX1

Address

400 Capitol Mall, Suite 650
Sacramento, CA
95814

Telephone

+19165161756

Website

https://calawyers.org/WorkersComp

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