Ledezma, Alfredo, et al.

In this en banc decision, the WCAB consolidated eight cases involving applicant attorney Susan Garrett and non-attorney hearing representative Lance Garrett of Garrett Law Group. The Board found an apparent pattern across all cases in which the Garretts sought last-minute trial continuances due to calendar conflicts, then—after denial—filed 'Petition for Reconsideration or in the alternative Petition for Removal' on or near the day of trial from non-final orders (orders setting trial or denying continuances), and then failed to appear at trial. Because filing a petition for reconsideration halts proceedings at the trial level under CCR 10961, the Board concluded the petitions appeared to be filed solely to delay trial, constituting bad-faith tactics sanctionable under Labor Code section 5813. The Board issued a Notice of Intent to impose sanctions of up to $2,500 per instance (up to $20,000 total each) separately against Susan Garrett and Lance Garrett, plus reasonable expenses including attorney's fees and costs, giving them 20+5 days to object.