Executive Committee

TIFFANY SPEERS, PRESIDENT

Tiffany Speers launched her legal career on the defense side when she joined Wiggins, Richard & Romano as a law clerk while earning her law degree. In 2004, she joined the national defense firm Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez in San Francisco as an associate attorney, and was promoted to managing attorney in 2007 and then to managing partner just two years later. In 2018, she shifted over to the plaintiff side and joined Boxer+Gerson in Oakland and is a certified workers’ compensation specialist.

Jim Achermann, President-Elect

Mr. Achermann is a Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist and his practice is focused on Workers' Compensation case work and litigation. Mr. Achermann has represented injured workers both within the workers' compensation system as well as employees in both public and private sector labor unions. In addition, Mr. Achermann has represented employees and workers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination cases throughout the state. Mr. Achermann is a longtime member of the Board of Directors for the California Applicants Association as well as on the Amicus Committee. He has argued as an Amicus counsel in appellate courts and lectures and speaks on workers compensation topics through out the state, providing continuing education to other practitioners. Jim is a graduate of The University of California at Davis (B.A. 2004) where he majored in both Political Science and History. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2008.

LISA HERNANDEZ, TREASURER

Ms. Hernandez is a partner at Bender Kurlander Hernandez & Campbell. She concentrates her practice on representing injured workers through both State of California and Longshore Act systems. Her position reflects her commitment to fighting tirelessly on behalf of those seriously injured at work—especially those who are marginalized and find it difficult to advocate for themselves. Ms. Hernandez specializes in catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, and toxic exposure cases.

andrew lockard, secretary

Andrew is an applicants’ attorney practicing in San Diego for more than 10-years. He has proudly assisted injured workers from all walks of life, among them journalists, professional athletes, public safety officers, teachers, and corporate executives. He also practiced employment law with an emphasis on assisting workers with disabilities in the interactive process. Andrew co-authored amicus briefs to the California Court of Appeals and Supreme Court for the Castellanos v. State of California decision on behalf of CAAA. He is a frequent presenter on workers’ compensation topics to attorneys, doctors, students, and community members. Originally from Michigan, Andrew has a BA in Social Science from San Diego State University and a JD from University of San Diego.

SCOTT FORD, IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT

Scott Ford is the managing partner of Ford & Wallach in Los Angeles. For nearly three decades, he has advocated solely on behalf of injured workers and in support of organized labor. Mr. Ford is a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law and rated by Martindale Hubbell as an “AV PREEMINENT” attorney, which represents the highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He has been involved with CAAA his entire career and has previously served as president of the SCAAA chapter and as a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. He is a longtime member of CAAA's Legislative committee and Chair of the Labor committee. Mr. Ford graduated in 1993 from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California with Dean’s List Honors. While at Loyola Law School, Mr. Ford served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Stephen Hillman, United States Federal Magistrate Judge and Sarah K. Radin, former California Superior Court Judge. Mr. Ford participated in multiple externships with The Western Law Center for Disability Rights.

DIANE WORLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Diane Worley is a veteran workers' compensation attorney and certified workers' compensation legal specialist having practiced in this field since 1986. She graduated with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of San Francisco School of Law. She began her legal career working for the Labor and Employment law firm of Henning, Walsh and Ritchie in San Francisco, and subsequently the Employment Law Center and Inland Counties Legal Services specializing in disabled rights and employment law issues. Diane has worked on both the applicant and the defense side of workers' compensation law. Having been around for the monumental changes in the practice of workers compensation following the passage of SB 899 in 2004 and SB 863 in 2012 she subsequently became involved in policy issues seeking an insightful and intelligent forum for a discussion and analysis of the new laws. Diane joined the California Applicants Attorneys Association (CAAA) in August 2013 to work with its' leadership in the post SB 863 world as their Director of Policy Implementation. In February 2020 Diane became CAAA's Executive Director. Diane provides Policy expertise to CAAA's various committees, Executive Board, and Legislative, Political and Communications consultants and monitors legislation, and reviews and analyzes statutory proposals and changes in other states, and studies conducted on workers' compensation issues. Diane also monitors workers' compensation regulations, and developing case law, and practice tips to assist and educate membership on areas of significant legal and policymaking interest. Diane participates in the development of an annual strategic action plan for the association and regularly attends DWC and CHSWC public meetings and stakeholder meetings on workers' compensation issues as a representative of CAAA.