Hustedt v. Workers' Compensation Appeals Board

Opinion

BIRD, C. J.

Does the separation of powers doctrine preclude the Legislature from granting to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (Board) the power to discipline an attorney by temporarily or permanently prohibiting him or her from practicing before the Board? Does the Board have authority to proceed with the contempt action it instituted against petitioner?

I

Petitioner, Edward F. Hustedt, was admitted to the practice of law in this state on January 5, 1966.

In 1978, Hustedt was retained to represent a defendant employer in a compensation case pending before the Board. On or about…