COMMITTEES
To assist the Executive Committee in the efficient management of goals and priorities, the California Applicants' Attorneys Association is organized into various committees with different jurisdictions. These committees provide resources and detailed recommendations to the Executive Committee for action. Below is information on some of our Association's various standing committees.
Amicus Curiae Committee
Latin for "friend of the court", amicus curiae is someone who offers information to a court of law for consideration during the decision of a case. Our Amicus Curiae Committee reviews relevant cases and composes briefs on important appeals affecting workers in California. Association members may submit cases for review. The Amicus Curiae Committee meets monthly, as needed.
CHSWC Committee
The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC) is an appointed joint labor-management body at the Department of Industrial Relations charged with examining California’s workers’ compensation system. This committee’s mission is to review the work of CHSWC and help guide the Commission towards recommendations that help working Californians. The CHSWC Committee meets monthly, as needed.
Communications Committee
Today’s world is a fast-paced environment in which we are increasingly dependent on the free flow of accurate information to act and make decisions. As such, the Communications Committee works to ensure that information important to the well-being of injured workers is conveyed to our members, legislators, and the public. The Communications Committee meets on the 4th Wednesday each month.
Education Committee
The California Applicants’ Attorneys Association is recognized for its exceptional educational programs offered at its renowned conventions and seminars. The Education Committee is tasked with curating the curriculum for these programs and is composed of the most studious attorney-advocates to ensure that subject matter is of the foremost legal perspectives. The Education Committee meets on the 1st Monday each month.
Emerging Issues Committee
In 2012, sweeping reform of California's workers' compensation system was signed into law with the passage of Senate Bill 863. Our 863 Committee was formed shortly after to interpret and analyze the drastic changes. The committee was reformed into the Emerging Issues Committee in order to develop strategies and recommendations for future changes that might alter the landscape of the system. The Emerging Issues Committee meets on the 3rd Thursday each month.
Labor Committee
The California Applicants’ Attorneys Association proudly represents 25,000 union members every year and is a proud affiliate of the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council. As such, the Labor Committee’s mission is to set and pursue goals for our Association that support and compliment the progressive values of today’s labor movement. The Labor Committee meets on the 2nd Monday each month.
Latino Caucus
Our Latino Caucus seeks to improve workplace conditions and outcomes for injured Latinx workers. The Latino Caucus meets its mission by educating Latino workers about legal rights, raising awareness of disproportionate impacts resulting from the system’s status quo, and advocating for public policy in the best interest of Latino workers. The Latino Caucus meets on the 3rd Wednesday each month.
Legislative Committee
Article XIV Section 4 of the California Constitution vests power to create and enforce a workers’ compensation system in the California State Legislature. Our Legislative Committee strives to serve as a resource to legislators by offering the technical expertise needed to thoughtfully enforce a system that benefits all injured workers. The Legislative Committee meets monthly as needed.
LGBTQ+ Caucus
CAAA’s LGBTQ+ Caucus was formed in 2023 to create a forum to discuss issues that affect our LGBTQ members and clients and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. CAAA’s LGBTQ+ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including developing educational programs that address the impact of bias and discrimination towards members of our community. The LGBTQ+ Committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday each month.
Membership Committee
Develops a comprehensive program for recruitment and retention of new and existing members, by tracking trends and staying in touch with the needs of CAAA’s Regular and Associate members and working with CAAA’s various committees with the chief goal of ensuring that CAAA remain relevant as a professional association. The committee’s members act as “ambassadors” to prospective, new and returning members, administering the vetting process for membership approval by CAAA’s Board of Directors. The Membership Committee meets on the 3rd Monday each month.
Regulations Committee
The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) at California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is the arm of the executive branch that directly oversees the regulation of the workers’ compensation system. Our Regulations Committee diligently reviews proposed regulations and regularly provides the technical expertise to ensure proper administration of the system. The Regulations Committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
Public Safety Committee
Public safety workers face unique risks and challenges within California’s workers’ compensation system. The Public Safety Committee is devoted to analyzing legislation and public policy affecting public safety employees and advocating for reforms that protect injured workers in these vital professions. The Public Safety Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Women's Caucus
While women and men make up equal portions of California’s workforce, women are not treated as equals in the workplace. Gender bias is an epidemic that has crept its way into workers’ compensation. The Women’s Caucus is devoted to gender equality and eliminating gender bias from California’s workers’ compensation policies. The Women's Caucus meets on the 1st Wednesday each month.
