Gonzalez, Guillermo, et al.

In this en banc decision, the WCAB consolidated two cases involving attorney Susan Garrett and non-attorney hearing representative Lance Garrett of Garrett Law Group. In both cases, the Garretts filed petitions for reconsideration of Orders Approving Compromise and Release on the morning of trial, where the substance of the dispute (Labor Code section 5710 deposition fees and attorney fee liens) was the very issue already set for trial. The Board found this pattern appeared designed to halt trial-level proceedings and delay trials, as no one from Garrett Law appeared for the scheduled trials. The Board issued a Notice of Intent to Impose Sanctions of up to $2,500 per instance (two instances each) against Susan Garrett and Lance Garrett individually under Labor Code section 5813, plus reasonable expenses including attorney's fees and costs. The Garretts were given 20 days plus 5 for mailing to file written objections demonstrating good cause.