Hoddinott, Steve

This en banc decision addresses a dispute over the split of attorney's fees between current applicants' attorney Patrick C. Gorman and former applicants' attorney Steven D. Riley arising from a contract for the sale of Riley's law practice to Gorman. The contract reportedly provided that the attorneys would split all fees in half for cases transferred to Gorman, but Gorman argues grounds to invalidate the contract or deny fees to Riley, in part alleging Riley failed to file proper disclosures under Labor Code section 4906. Gorman filed petitions for removal and/or disqualification of WCJs at the Redding and Eureka offices who approved attorney's fees, while Riley filed attorney's fee liens alleging Gorman breached the contract. The Appeals Board consolidated five (nine adjudication numbers) cases for the limited purpose of deciding the issues of attorney's fees and disqualification. The Board ordered the attorneys to meet and confer and file supplemental verified pleadings addressing resolution options, jurisdiction, and contract enforceability.