In 2023, I have the pleasure of serving as the President of the Department of Labor – Joint Bar Association, or DOL-JBA. It is a honor.
The DOL-JBA is a national non-profit organization filled with claimant and defense attorneys committed to improving the legal process in (primarily) Longshore and Defense Base Act claims.
In my opinion, the DOL-JBA is more than that. It is an avenue to finding a middle ground regarding common issues affecting the industry. The lawyers meet with individuals from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and the Office of Administrative Law Judges to explore efficient resolutions to these issues.
Sometimes, resolution is possible. But not always–not on all issues. Still, resolution of even one issue fuels agency and judicial efficiency. And that is one of the DOL-JBA’s main objective:
To promote and improve the efficient handling of claims and cases administered or adjudicated by the U.S. Department of Labor for all parties involved in those claims, including injured workers, their employers, and insurance carriers.
To create an unbiased resource for policy makers and the public on issues of importance related to the representation of individuals and companies involved in class administered by the U.S. Department of Labor
To defend the honor of the legal profession and promote the highest standards of professional conduct for attorneys practicing before the U.S. Department of Labor
To provide guidance to the U.S. Department of Labor in administering laws and regulations within its jurisdiction throughout the United States and abroad.
To be sure, our practice area is growing. I invite new practitioners to join the DOL-JBA. Please visit the DOL-JBA’s membership page to sign up.
If present members have any issues that the DOL-JBA can address, please let me know.
Finally, thanks to Patrick Babin, the outgoing DOL-JBA President for his service in 2022!
